title: Flow cytometry identification and characterization of mononuclear cell subsets in the neotropical primate Saimiri sciureus (squirrel monkey).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The neotropical primate squirrel monkey is used in many areas of biomedical research including neuroendocrinology, immunology and infectious diseases. However, research has been hampered by the lack of immunological tools for this primate.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of 67 commercially available monoclonal antibodies to human CD antigens or cytokines were tested on Saimiri mononuclear cells and the specificity was assessed by double staining using flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Monoclonal antibodies defining the main mononuclear cells subsets (monocytes, B, T, including CD4 and CD8 T cells) as well as activation markers have been identified. The conditions to specifically identify the various cell subsets using two color flow cytometry and establish their relative proportions have been set-up. We also have established normal values of the main circulating mononuclear cell subsets for adult Saimiri sciureus monkeys from the breeding unit of Institut Pasteur in French Guiana. The distribution between spleen, blood and lymph nodes has been compared.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These tools allow documenting the phenotype of most Saimiri mononuclear cell subsets and assessing their activation level. This opens new perspectives for vaccinology and immunopathology research in this experimental non-human primate host, in particular for malaria research.
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, BP 6010, 97306 Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana.
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Contamin
authors.forename: Séverine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loizon
authors.forename: Eliane
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bourreau
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Garraud
authors.forename: Odile
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mercereau-Puijalon
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Behr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D012453:Saimiri / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface