Cellular dynamics in the draining lymph nodes during sensitization and elicitation phases of contact hypersensitivity.
BACKGROUND
The different role of various immunological effector cells in contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is receiving increased attention. During the past decade, the involvement of different cell types in CHS has been investigated by the use of antibody-induced depletion of specific subtypes of immunological cells and by studying knockout mice lacking one or more of these immunological cell populations.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a method for studying the collective cellular dynamics of immune cells in the draining lymph nodes during CHS in intact animals.


METHODS
Mice were sensitized and/or challenged with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene or oxazolone. Using multi-parameter flow cytometry we determined the proliferation, activation state, and absolute number of helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells in the draining lymph nodes.


RESULTS
The presented method can be applied to evaluate the effect of different contact allergens on various cell populations of the immune system.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study support recent findings that several cell types seem to be involved in CHS.
Larsen
Jeppe Madura
JM
Section of Experimental Immunology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Geisler
Carsten
C
Nielsen
Martin Weiss
MW
Boding
Lasse
L
Von Essen
Marina
M
Hansen
Ann Kathrine
AK
Skov
Lone
L
Bonefeld
Charlotte Menné
CM
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010081:Oxazolone / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology
D000485:Allergens; D000906:Antibodies; D010081:Oxazolone; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene