Migratory activity and functional changes of green fluorescent effector cells before and during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Homing behavior and function of autoimmune CD4+ T cells in vivo was analyzed before and during EAE, using MBP-specific T cells retrovirally engineered to express the gene of green fluorescent protein. The cells migrate from parathymic lymph nodes to blood and to the spleen. Preceding disease onset, large numbers of effector cells invade the CNS, with only negligible numbers left in the periphery. In early EAE, most (>90%) infiltrating CD4+ cells were effector cells. Migratory effector cells downregulate activation markers (CD25, OX-40) but upregulate several chemokine receptors and adsorb MHC class II on their membranes. Within the CNS, the effector cells are reactivated, with upregulated proinflammatory cytokines and downmodulated T cell receptor-associated structures, presumably reflecting autoantigen recognition in situ.
Flügel
A
A
Max-Planck-Institute of Neurobiology, Department of Neuroimmunology, 82152 Martinsried, 10098, Berlin, Germany. fluegel@neuro.mpg.de
Berkowicz
T
T
Ritter
T
T
Labeur
M
M
Jenne
D E
DE
Li
Z
Z
Ellwart
J W
JW
Willem
M
M
Lassmann
H
H
Wekerle
H
H
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins