ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Two Different Homing Pathways Involving Integrin β7 and E‐selectin Significantly Influence Trafficking of CD4 Cells to the Genital Tract Following Chlamydia muridarum Infection

Abstract
Problem Chlamydia trachomatis causes STI and reproductive dysfunction worldwide which is not preventable with antibiotics. Identifying a population of endocervical T cells to target in vaccine development would enhance efficacy. Method of study Trafficking of murine CD4+ lymphocytes to Chlamydia muridarum infected genital tract (GT) tissue in vivo was measured using adoptive transfer studies of fluorescent CD4+ T cells from integrin β7−/− mice or mice which lack E‐selectin on endothelial cells. Results Murine in vivo migration studies showed that lack of α4β7 or E‐selectin significantly reduced trafficking of CD4 T cells to the GT of mice infected with C. muridarum. Conclusion CD4+ T cells use at least two different adhesive mechanisms involving an integrin of the mucosal homing pathway and selectin pathway to accumulate in the GT during C. muridarum infection.

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