1. ¹Department of Endocrinology, Hospital de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
2. ²Department of Immunology, Hospital de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
3. ³Department of Pathology, Hospital de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
4. ⁴Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, Spain

Correspondence: Dr. Mónica Marazuela, Servicio de Endocrinología, Hospital de la Princesa, Diego de León 62, Madrid E-28006, Spain. E-mail: monica@marazuela.com

Received 7 December 2000.

Abstract

Using new human CXCR3 chemokine receptor–specific monoclonal antibodies, we studied human CXCR3 tissue distribution in lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs, as well as in inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and dermal vasculitis. CXCR3 was expressed by certain dendritic cell subsets, specifically myeloid-derived CD11c positive cells, not only in those present in normal lymphoid organs, but also in germinal centers generated in inflammatory conditions. CXCR3 expression was also detected in some lymphocyte subsets such as intraepithelial lymphocytes of secondary lymphoid organs and infiltrating lymphocytes in inflammatory conditions. In addition, CXCR3 was constitutively expressed by endothelial cells (EC) of vessels of medium and large caliber but not in small vessels from different organs. Finally, enhanced CXCR3 expression was found in EC and in infiltrating lymphocytes with an activated phenotype in inflammatory diseases. The CXCR3 chemokine receptor may play a role in the regulation of leukocyte migration to inflammatory sites.