Observation of antigen-dependent CD8+ T-cell/ dendritic cell interactions in vivo

Cell Immunol. 2001 Dec 15;214(2):110-22. doi: 10.1006/cimm.2001.1895.

Abstract

In order to track hematopoetic cells of all lineages unambiguously at all stages of development, we have developed C57BL/6 mice that express a transgene coding for green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of the human ubiquitin C promoter. These mice, called UBI-GFP/BL6, express GFP in all tissues examined, with high levels of GFP expression observed in hematopoetic cells. UBI-GFP/BL6 mice are unique in that B cells, T cells, and dendritic cells have distinct levels of GFP fluorescence. In cell transfer experiments, leukocytes from UBI-GFP/BL6 mice are readily identified by FACS or fluorescence microscopy. We demonstrate that transplanted UBI-GFP/BL6 dendritic cells are easily identified in secondary lymphoid tissues. Direct interactions between individual dendritic cells and multiple naïve CD8+ T cells are observed in lymph nodes within 12 h of cell transfer and require loading of the dendritic cells with the appropriate peptide antigen. Dendritic cells undergo specific morphologic changes following interactions with antigen-specific T cells.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation*
  • Antigens / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cell Movement
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / analysis*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins / analysis*
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Organ Specificity
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Radiation Chimera
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / analysis
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Ubiquitin C / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Ubiquitin C
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins