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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Isolation of Human Lymphatic Endothelial Cells by Multi-parameter Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
Published on: May 1, 2015
Three-dimensional distribution of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on lymphocytes in the high endothelial venule
K Sasaki1, Y Okouchi, H J Rothkötter
1Department of Anatomy, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.
Insights
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on lymphocytes shows preferential localization on membrane ruffles. This distribution may facilitate three-dimensional cell interactions crucial for functions like antigen presentation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a key molecule in cell-to-cell interactions, particularly in lymphocyte recirculation.
- ICAM-1 is found on vascular endothelium and also expressed on lymphocytes, including B cells and activated T cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the three-dimensional distribution of ICAM-1 on the surface of lymphocytes.
- To understand the functional role of ICAM-1 in lymphocyte interactions.
Main Methods:
- Immunoscanning electron microscopy was used to examine ICAM-1 distribution on rat mesenteric lymph node high endothelial venule (HEV) lymphocytes.
- Quantification of ICAM-1 localization on different lymphocyte surface structures.
Main Results:
- ICAM-1 expression on lymphocytes was associated with surface structure variations like cap-like structures, membrane ruffles, and microvilli.
- ICAM-1 was predominantly found on membrane ruffles (approx. 90%) and rarely on microvilli (approx. 10%).
Conclusions:
- Activated lymphocytes exhibit moderate ICAM-1 expression with preferential localization on membrane ruffles.
- This ICAM-1 distribution may support three-dimensional interactions between lymphocytes and other cells, potentially aiding cluster formation for antigen presentation.
Abstract:
The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a ligand for the beta2 integrin. It is present on the vascular endothelium and plays an important role in cell to cell interaction in lymphocyte recirculation. ICAM-1 is expressed not only on the endothelium but also on other cells, especially lymphocytes adhering to the endothelium, B cells and mitogen-stimulated T cells. To define the functional role of ICAM-1 in lymphocytes, the three-dimensional distribution of ICAM-1 on the surface of lymphocytes in the rat mesenteric lymph node HEV was investigated by immunoscanning electron microscopy. ICAM-1 expression was closely associated with variations in surface structures of lymphocytes, which showed a cap-like structure, membrane ruffles and slender microvilli. ICAM-1 was preferentially localized on the cell surface including membrane ruffles (about 90% of all counted gold particles), but rarely on the microvilli (10%). The results suggest that activated lymphocytes with variations in surface structures demonstrate moderate expression and preferential localization of ICAM-1. This seems to enable a three-dimensional interaction of the microvilli of one lymphocyte with the surface membrane of another cell and might be a prerequisite for cluster formation between them, as seen in antigen presentation.
