In situ imaging of the endogenous CD8 T cell response to infection

Science. 2007 Oct 5;318(5847):116-20. doi: 10.1126/science.1146291.

Abstract

Mounting a protective immune response is critically dependent on the orchestrated movement of cells within lymphoid organs. We report here the visualization, using major histocompatability complex class I tetramers, of the CD8-positive (CD8) T cell response in the spleens of mice to Listeria monocytogenes infection. A multistage pathway was revealed that included initial activation at the borders of the B and T cell zones followed by cluster formation with antigenpresenting cells leading to CD8 T cell exit to the red pulp via bridging channels. Strikingly, many memory CD8 T cells localized to the B cell zones and, when challenged, underwent rapid migration to the T cell zones where proliferation occurred, followed by egress via bridging channels in parallel with the primary response. Thus, the ability to track endogenous immune responses has uncovered both distinct and overlapping mechanisms and anatomical locations driving primary and secondary immune responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8 Antigens / analysis
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Cell Movement
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / physiology
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Kinetics
  • Listeria monocytogenes / immunology*
  • Listeriosis / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / analysis
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / immunology*
  • Staining and Labeling
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CD8 Antigens
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell