CD44, but not l-selectin, is critically involved in leucocyte migration into the skin in a murine model of allergic dermatitis.

CD44 and l-selectin (CD62L) are major adhesion receptors that mediate leucocyte recruitment at inflammatory sites and lymph nodes, by supporting cell rolling under blood flow. Both CD44 and CD62L have been implicated in inflammatory skin disorders, but their specific involvement in an immediate-type allergic reaction remains uncertain. We used mice deficient in CD44 or CED62L or both in order to determine whether one or both of these molecules were required for leucocyte extravasation in an atopic dermatitis-like allergic response. Wild-type (WT) mice and mice deficient in CD44, CD62L or both were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA). Inflammatory reaction in the ear was elicited once by means of intradermal injection of OVA. Effective sensitization of CD62L knockout (KO) mice required intraperitoneal antigen injection; however, OVA-specific T helper 2 (Th2)-type immune responses and IgE production in mice lacking CD44, CD62L or both were comparable to those in WT mice following intraperitoneal immunization. We employed intravital videomicroscopy to monitor the recruitment of fluorescence-labelled leucocytes to the ear tissue following challenge with OVA. The number of adherent leucocytes was significantly reduced in CD44 KO and CD44/CD62L double KO mice, indicating that CD44 was involved in firm adhesion, the committed step of leucocyte extravasation. Histology of the OVA-challenged ears showed a diminished leucocyte infiltration in the ears of CD44 KO and double KO mice. The results of our study demonstrate that CD44, but not CD62L, is required for leucocyte extravasation during a Th2-type inflammatory response.