Epithelial HVEM promotes basement membrane synthesis and intraepithelial T cell survival and migration

Intraepithelial T cells (IET) provide continuous surveillance of the intestinal epithelium, but little was known about how epithelial-derived signals regulate the IET population. We show that epithelial expression of the herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), a member of the TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF), maintained the survival of small intestine IET, especially innate-like TCR{beta}+ cells lacking CD4 and CD8{beta}. Patrolling movement of all CD8+ IET also was impaired in the absence of HVEM. HVEM-deficient epithelial cells exhibited downregulation of synthesis of basement membrane components, including collagen IV. Collagen IV supported IET survival in vitro via interactions with {beta}1 integrins expressed by the IET; absence of {beta}1 integrins decreased some IET subsets. Therefore, these data define a circuit whereby epithelial cells regulate intestine resident T lymphocyte populations through basement membrane synthesis.