 Depletion of CD11c+ dendritic cells in mouse significantly altered the phenotype of HEV.The normal phenotype of HEV is possibly maintained by DC-secreted lymphotoxin (TNF-beta).HEV cuboidal endothelial cells express the adhesion molecules GlyCAM-1 (in mucosal HEV this is MAdCAM-1), ICAM-1 and CD34.