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Examines the role of chemokine receptor CCR7 in proper immune response. Generation of CCR7-deficient mice; Disruption of the CCR7 gene by homologous recombination; Organ-specific distribution of naive and memory T cells in CCR7-deficient mice; Morphological alterations in secondary lymphoid organs in CCR7-deficient mice.

Identifies a chemokine receptor, BLR1, which directs B cell migration to lymphoid organs and specific anatomic compartments of the spleen. Phenotype description of gene-targeted mice lacking BLR1; Phenotypical abnormality of Peyer's patches in BLR1 mutant mice; Impairment of lymphocyte migration into splenic follicles.

The addition of polysialic acid to N- and/or O-linked glycans, referred to as polysialylation, is a rare posttranslational modification that is mainly known to control the developmental plasticity of the nervous system. Here we show that CCR7, the central chemokine receptor controlling immune cell trafficking to secondary lymphatic organs, carries polysialic acid. This modification is essential for the recognition of the CCR7 ligand CCL21. As a consequence, dendritic cell trafficking is abrogated in polysialyltransferase-deficient mice, manifesting as disturbed lymph node homeostasis and unresponsiveness to inflammatory stimuli. Structure-function analysis of chemokine-receptor interactions reveals that CCL21 adopts an autoinhibited conformation, which is released upon interaction with polysialic acid. Thus, we describe a glycosylation-mediated immune cell trafficking disorder and its mechanistic basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the lineage differentiation of memory T cells in immunology. Analysis of cell division that the differentiation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells is a two-step process characterized initially by a phase of proliferation largely restricted to the CCR7+CD8+ cell subsets, followed by a phase of functional maturation encompassing the CCR7-CD8+ cell subsets; How the results demonstrate a skewed maturation of HIV-specific memory CD8+ T cells during HIV infection.

Presents a study which shows that lymph nodes contain two types of B-cell-rich compartment, follicles containing follicular dendritic cells and areas lacking such cells. Necessity of B-lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC/BCA1) and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor-5 (CXCR5) for B-cell homing to follicles in the lymph nodes; Requirement of BLC in the development of most lymph nodes and Peyer's patches; Role of BLC in establishing a positive feedback loop that is likely to be important in follicle development and hemeostasis.