Distinct roles for matrix metalloproteinase-2 and α4 integrin in autoimmune T cell extravasation and residency in brain parenchyma during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Expression of alpha 4 integrin by auto-reactive T cells is critical for their ability to induce EAE, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system in mice, used as a model to study human multiple sclerosis. Having previously identified one role for alpha 4 integrin in adhesion-mediated induction of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), an enzyme that degrades the subendothelial basement membrane matrix, we investigated independent roles for MMP-2 and alpha 4 integrin during EAE. The data suggest that expression of alpha 4 integrin by auto-reactive T cells is important not only in mediating MMP-2 induction to facilitate entry into the CNS, but also plays a role in maintaining residency within the CNS. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.