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Nature Immunology 7, 827–834 (1 August 2006) | doi:10.1038/ni1365

Signaling protein SWAP-70 is required for efficient B cell homing to lymphoid organs

Glen Pearce , Veronique Angeli , Gwendalyn J Randolph , Tobias Junt , Ulrich von Andrian , Hans-Joachim Schnittler & Rolf Jessberger

The migration of B cells into secondary lymphoid organs is required for the generation of an effective immune response. Here we analyzed the involvement of SWAP-70, a Rac-interacting protein involved in actin rearrangement, in B cell entry into lymph nodes. We noted reduced migration of Swap70|[minus]|/|[minus]| B cells into lymph nodes in vivo. Swap70|[minus]|/|[minus]| B cells rolled and adhered, yet accumulated in lymph node high endothelial venules. This defect was not due to impaired integrin expression or chemotaxis. Instead, Swap70|[minus]|/|[minus]| B cells aberrantly regulated integrin-mediated adhesion. During attachment, Swap70|[minus]|/|[minus]| B cells showed defective polarization and did not form uropods or stabilize lamellipodia at a defined region. Thus, SWAP-70 selectively regulates processes essential for B cell entry into lymph nodes.