IntroductionLymphocyte homing requires a sequence of critical adhesion events to allow naive lymphocytes to rapidly recirculate from the blood into lymphoid organs and is an important immune surveillance function in vivo. L-selectin (CD62L), which is constitutively expressed at high levels on naive T lymphocytes, mediates rolling and tethering of naive T lymphocytes along endothelial surfaces. 1-3 After L-selectin binds to its ligand on high endothelial venules, G protein-linked receptors activate integrins that mediate the arrest and diapedesis of naive T lymphocytes into the peripheral lymph nodes (PLNs). 4 In experiments using neutralizing anti-L-selectin monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or mice that are genetically deficient in L-selectin, naive T lymphocytes do not home to PLNs, and primary T-cell responses to antigen are impaired. 1,5,6 L-selectin is shed from the cell surface by a proteolytic mechanism upon crosslinking by mAbs 7 or upon T-cell activation. 8,9 The signal transduction mechanisms leading to L-selectin cleavage are not yet defined.To date, little is known about homing and recirculation of lymphocytes in HIV disease. It has been shown that HIV-1 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) induce preferential homing of T cells to the intestine in engrafted severe combined immunodeficiency mice. 10 A study by Zhang et al showed a significant depletion of naive CD45RA ϩ CD4 ϩ T cells, out of proportion to total CD4 ϩ T cells, in peripheral lymphoid tissue from HIV-1-infected individuals. 11 Additionally, individuals infected with HIV-1 have a 3-fold increase of soluble L-selectin in serum, 12 and recent studies show that L-selectin on lymphocytes is significantly reduced in HIV-1-infected children, compared with uninfected controls. 13 We have previously reported that ligation of CD4 by mAb or by HIV-1 NL4-3 results in the metalloproteinasedependent shedding of L-selectin from primary resting CD4 ϩ T cells. 14 We have also shown that this L-selectin shedding results in inhibition of T-cell homing to the lymph nodes. 14 In this report, using the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) antagonist, AMD3100, and the CXCR4 natural ligand, stromal-derived factor 1␣ (SDF-1␣), we show that engagement of CXCR4, in addition to CD4, is required for the L-selectin shedding induced by the glycoprotein (gp)120-CD4 interaction.
Study design
Isolation of human CD4 ؉ T cellsHuman peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque (Amersham Pharmacia, Piscataway, NJ) density-gradient centrifugation of heparinized venous blood obtained from healthy donors. CD4 ϩ T cells were purified by negative selection with a cocktail of antibodies directed against CD8 (OKT8; American Type Culture Collection [ATCC], Rockville, MD), CD14, CD16, and CD19 (PharMingen, San Diego, CA). 14 More than 99% of cells were in the G 0 /G 1 phase of the cell cycle, and 90% to 95% of cells were CD4 ϩ .
Reagents and cell linesCD62L-phycoerythrin (PE) (Leu-8) and CD4-PE (Leu3a) were purchased from Becton Dickinson (San Jose, CA). CXCR4...