Chemokine receptor CCR7 guides T cell exit from peripheral tissues and entry into afferent lymphatics
Abstract
T cell circulation between peripheral tissues and the lymphoid compartment is critical for immunosurveillance and host defense. However, the factors that determine whether T cells remain in peripheral tissue or return to the circulation are undefined. Here we demonstrate that the chemokine receptor CCR7 is a critical signal that determines T cell exit from peripheral tissue. Both CCR7(-) and CCR7(+) effector T cells entered mouse asthmatic lung and while CCR7(-) T cells accumulated, CCR7(+) T cells continued to migrate into afferent lymph. Delivery of both CCR7(+) and CCR7(-) T cells directly into the airways showed that only CCR7(+) T cells exited the lung and entered draining lymph nodes. Our study establishes a molecular basis for T cell exit from peripheral tissues.
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CCR7 is expressed constitutively by most T cells and is induced on DCs by inflammation.
“The CCL21 receptor, CCR7, is expressed constitutively by most T cells and is induced on DCs by inflammation (98, 100).”
From Transport and Immune Functions of the Lymphatic System. (2025) · cites this paper as [98]
CCL21 is the principal chemokine involved in the mobilization and entry of DCs and T cells into lymphatic capillaries.
“The principal chemokine involved in the mobilization and entry of DCs and T cells into lymphatic capillaries is CCL21 (97–99).”
From Transport and Immune Functions of the Lymphatic System. (2025) · cites this paper as [98]
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- Authors
- Bromley, S. K., Thomas, S. Y., & Luster, A. D.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Luster, Andrew D
- Venue
- Nature Immunology
- Published
- 2005-08-14
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 895-901
- ISSN
- 1529-2908 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-2916
- OpenAlex
- W1968135973
- Cited by
- 509
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 29
- FWCI
- 15.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Nature Immunology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5f32ai054107-02)
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R01AI040618, F32-AI054107, R01 AI40618)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Chemokine receptors and signaling
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Lymphatic System and Diseases
- Keywords
- CCR7, chemokine receptors, afferent lymphatics, lymph node homing, effector T cells, T cell migration, immune surveillance
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Asthma, Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid, Chemotaxis, Leukocyte, Inflammation, Lung, Lymph, Lymph Nodes, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Transgenic, T-Lymphocytes, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Receptors, Chemokine, Cell Proliferation, Mice, Receptors, CCR7
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