The HEV sialomucins are also called peripheral node
addressins (PNAds), because they function as "address code" molecules for peripheral node HEVs.
For example, the specialized endothelial cells that line the high endothelial venules in lymph nodes and Peyer's patches constitutively express so-called
addressins (mucosal vascular
addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 [MAdCAM-1]), which support the homing of naive lymphocytes, whereas endothelial cells elsewhere permit no leukocyte binding unless they are exposed to inflammatory mediators.
The activation, recruitment and retention of immune cells in the genital mucosa involve obligatory and intimate interactions between the pathogen and accessory molecules such as
addressins, chemokine receptors, integrins, adhesion molecules on the host cells.
