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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Human T Lymphocyte Isolation, Culture and Analysis of Migration In Vitro
Published on: June 2, 2010
Localization of beta 1 integrins and their extracellular ligands in human lymphoid tissues
T K van den Berg1, M van der Ende, E A Döpp
1Department of Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
In this study, we describe the immunocytochemical distribution of the beta 1 integrins (alpha 1 to alpha 6) and their extracellular matrix ligands in human peripheral lymphoid tissues. The results show that within these tissues individual beta 1 integrins are differentially expressed by (sub)populations of stromal cells, including reticular cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and sinus lining cells. The extracellular matrix components studied, eg, collagen I, III, and VI, fibronectin, laminin, and vitronectin, were predominantly associated with the stroma of the lymphoid tissues, and a unique distribution pattern was observed for each of them. Except for alpha 4 (and beta 1), low or no expression of the beta 1 integrins was found on lymphocytes, macrophages, interdigitating cells, and follicular dendritic cells. The results suggest that cell-matrix interactions play a major role in the maintenance of the complex spatial organization of the lymphoid tissue.
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