LPAM (α4β7integrin) is an important homing integrin on alloreactive T cells in the development of intestinal graft-versus-host disease

Lymphocyte Peyer patch adhesion molecule (LPAM) or α4β7integrin is expressed on lymphocytes and is responsible for T-cell homing into gut-associated lymphoid tissues through its binding to mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MAdCAM), which is present on high endothelial venules of mucosal lymphoid organs. We found in murine allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) models that recipients of α4β7–donor T cells had significantly less graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) morbidity and mortality compared with recipients of α4β7+donor T cells. A kinetic posttransplantation analysis of lymphocytes in the intestines and mesenteric lymph nodes demonstrated a delayed invasion of lower numbers of α4β7+T cells in recipients of α4β7–T cells compared with recipients of α4β7+T cells. Histopathologic analysis of GVHD target organs revealed that recipients of α4β7–T cells developed less GVHD of the intestines and liver, whereas there was no difference in cutaneous and thymic GVHD between recipients of α4β7–or α4β7+T cells. Finally, we found that in vivo GVT activity of α4β7–donor T cells was preserved. We conclude that the α4β7integrin is important for the invasion of alloreactive donor T cells into the gut and the subsequent development of intestinal GVHD and overall GVHD morbidity and mortality.