Blocking L-selectin and alpha4-integrin changes donor cell homing pattern and ameliorates murine acute graft versus host disease.

L-selectin, LFA-1 and alpha(4) integrins play important roles in the homing of naïve T cells into peripheral lymphoid tissues. L-selectin- or LFA-1-deficient lymphocytes cannot effectively home to lymph nodes (LN), and antibody blockade of alpha(4) integrins also hinders lymphocytes homing. The present study was initiated to explore whether it is feasible to ameliorate acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) by modulating the homing process of donor cells in the recipient in a mouse model. Using a fluorescence labeling method, we found that two monoclonal antibodies directed at L-selectin and alpha(4) integrins, respectively, when used in combination, could delay half of the donor C57BL/6J mouse spleen cells homing into the LN of recipient BALB/c mouse 15 h after injection. Spleen cells (1 x 10(7)) derived from C57BL/6J (H-2(b)) mice were injected into each C.B-17 SCID recipient mouse (H-2(d)) with or without prior incubation with 10 microg each of the two antibodies. T cell repopulation in the blood was observed in both groups of mice at a comparable level 14 days after injection of the donor cells. Eight control mice started to show aGVHD signs 7 - 14 days after the injection, and all died by day 31. However, among the ten mice that received the antibody-treated donor cells, two died before day 29, four survived between 36 and 78 days, and the remaining four survived more than 150 days, with two of them aGVHD free. It is apparent that the temporarily reduced lymphocyte homing into LN reduced the alloreactivity of the donor T cells, thus providing a simple way of modifying aGVHD. This novel approach may shed light on the prevention of aGVHD associated with clinical bone marrow transplantation.