GFP transgenic mice show dynamics of lung macrophages.
The dynamics of tissue macrophages are poorly understood. We have developed a model where only lung macrophages express high levels of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and are easily identified and followed by confocal microscopy. The EGFP+ cells had the morphology of macrophages and express CD11c, CD11b, and F4/80, but not NK1.1 or CD3. The F4/80+ EGFP+ cells were found exclusively in the lung and not in lymph nodes, spleen, blood, liver, intestine, or uterus. These EGFP+ cells are phagocytic and can be activated to migrate within the lung in response to LPS stimulation. In this study, we describe a new model system that allows the specific study of macrophages in the lung.
Grundy
Martin
M
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Medical School, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
Sentman
Charles L
CL
D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins