Real-time imaging of lymphocytes in vivo.
New preparations, fluorescent probes and imaging techniques are providing the means to observe the behavior of cells in the tissue environment of lymphoid organs. In particular, when combined with two-photon laser microscopy, intravital imaging of surgically exposed lymph nodes provides a unique view of lymphocyte migration and antigen presentation as it occurs within the living animal. The view is emerging that lymphocytes migrate randomly within lymphoid organs, and that lymphocyte contact with antigen-presenting cells may be a stochastic process rather than one guided by chemokine gradients.
Cahalan
Michael D
MD
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA. mcahalan@uci.edu
Parker
Ian
I
Wei
Sindy H
SH
Miller
Mark J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D017785:Photons; D013997:Time Factors