Binding of an SJL T cell clone specific for myelin basic protein to SJL brain microvessel endothelial cells is inhibited by anti-VLA-4 or its ligand, anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 antibody.

Adhesion molecules probably are required for the migration of T lymphocytes to inflamed tissues, but the roles of these molecules have yet to be understood in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The adhesion of an SJL murine T cell clone specific for myelin basic protein (MBP) to endothelial cells (ECs) from SJL newborn brain microvessels was examined. Sixty percent of the 2 x 10(4) T cell clones stimulated once every 2 weeks with MBP were bound to ECs, whereas less than 5% of the same number of lymphocytes from peripheral lymph nodes were bound. However, binding was not central nervous system (CNS)-specific. Monoclonal antibody to VLA-4 or VCAM-1 partially inhibited the binding of the T cell clone to ECs. Binding of the T cell clone to ECs increased when the latter were incubated with IL-1 or TNF, but was not inhibited by anti-VLA-4 or VCAM-1. We suggest that the VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathway functions in the binding of the T cell clone specific for MBP to brain ECs but that adhesion molecules other than VLA-4/VCAM-1 are involved because anti-VLA-4 and anti-VCAM-1 did not produce complete inhibition.