Ccr7 As A New Biomarker In Graft-Versus-Host Disease: T Cells Expressing The Homing Receptor Ccr7 Mediate The Pathogenesis Of Gvhd

Introduction: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) represents a major complication associated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). The pathogenesis involves migration of donor naïve T cells into recipient secondary lymphoid organs. Two molecules are important in this process: CD62L and CCR7, which are characteristically expressed in naïve/central memory T cells. CD62L or L-selectin, is an adhesion molecule involved in the early phases of the lymphocyte rolling in the extravasation process. CCR7 is a chemokine receptor that binds to chemokines CCL19 or CCL21, which leads to the integrins on the lymphocytes to change from a low to a high affinity status to get a firm arrest.