Imaging CD8+ T cell dynamics in vivo using a transgenic luciferase reporter.
After activation, populations of antigen-specific T cells flow between sites of antigen expression, local lymphoid structures and other lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs. In this study, we documented the in vivo dynamics of a CD8(+) T cell response to antigen delivered using herpes simplex virus amplicon vectors and revealed several unexpected features. First, the T cells localized to the site of vector injection, as well as the draining lymph node within 24-48 h. Second, the major site to which T cells later redistributed were intra-abdominal lymphoid organs, including milky spots, mesenteric and lumbar lymph nodes. We determined the relationship between bioluminescent signal and antigen-specific T cell numbers in various lymphoid organs, and concluded that bioluminescent signal is a valid surrogate measure of T cell abundance in superficial lymph nodes, but not in deeper structures such as the spleen.
Azadniv
Mitra
M
David H Smith Center for Microbiology and Immunology, Aab Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
Dugger
Kari
K
Bowers
William J
WJ
Weaver
Casey
C
Crispe
Ian N
IN
D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D008156:Luciferases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics
D010047:Ovalbumin; D008156:Luciferases