Effect of specific antigen stimulation on intraepithelial lymphocyte migration to small intestinal mucosa

Summary Migration of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) into intestinal epithelium is not yet well understood. We established an IEL-cell line from ovalbumin (OVA) 23–3 transgenic (Tg) mice and investigated the effect of antigen stimulation on the dynamic process of IEL migration into small intestinal mucosa. The cell line was a T cell receptor (TCR) αβ+ CD4+ CD8– phenotype, expressing αEβ7 integrin in 90% of cells. Under intravital microscopy, the lined IELs adhered selectively to the microvessels of the intestinal villus tip of the Tg mice. The accumulation of IELs was significantly inhibited by an antibody against β7-integrin and MAdCAM-1. When IELs were stimulated with OVA, the accumulation was attenuated compared to that of resting cells, with decreased expression of αEβ7 integrin. In Tg mice fed with OVA, the number of IELs which migrated in the villus mucosa was significantly smaller than in the non-fed controls. The preferential migratory capacity of IELs to villus mucosa may be altered by specific antigen stimulations.