Intercellular adhesion molecule expression in the evolving human cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reaction.

Abstract

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), putatively expressed by antigen-presenting or target skin cells, is a ligand for the lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1) present on circulating lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry of normal adult human skin using monoclonal antiserum to ICAM-1 demonstrated focal reactivity restricted to endothelium lining the dermal microvasculature. Delayed hypersensitivity responses elicited with dinitrochlorobenzene in the skin of the same subject were evaluated sequentially over a 96 h period using immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques. The first alteration observed consisted of mast cell degranulation within perivenular foci in the superficial dermis at 4 h after antigen challenge. Sparse superficial perivascular T-cell infiltrates were present by 24 h. Progressive staining for ICAM-1 was observed in microvascular endothelium and in dermal dendritic cells between 24 and 48 h. ICAM-1 expression was documented focally within the lower epidermis at 48 h and diffusely within the lower and upper epidermal layers at 96 h. ICAM-1 expression by keratinocytes was consistently associated with T-cell migration into the epidermis, whereas migration was never observed in the absence of ICAM-1 reactivity. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed ICAM-1 to be exclusively present on endothelial cells, dermal dendritic cells, mononuclear cells, and keratinocytes, and permitted characterization of the patterns of membrane reactivity. ICAM-1 expression by epidermal cells appears to be closely linked to the progressive migration of T cells from the dermis into the epidermis that characterizes cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity.

• Authors: R E Lewis, M Buchsbaum, D Whitaker, G F Murphy
• Journal: The Journal of investigative dermatology (J Invest Dermatol) Vol. 93 Issue 5 Pg. 672-7 (Nov 1989) ISSN: 0022-202X [Print] United States
• PMID: 2571643 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Cell Adhesion Molecules

Topics

• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Cell Adhesion Molecules (metabolism)
• Cell Movement
• Endothelium, Vascular (metabolism)
• Epithelium (metabolism)
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity, Delayed (pathology, physiopathology)
• Microscopy, Electron
• Skin (immunology, pathology)
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Time Factors