In vivo tracking of 'color-coded' effector, natural and induced regulatory T cells in the allograft response

Z Fan, JA Spencer, Y Lu, CM Pitsillides, G Singh… - Nature medicine, 2010 - nature.com
Z Fan, JA Spencer, Y Lu, CM Pitsillides, G Singh, P Kim, SH Yun, V Toxavidis, TB Strom…
Nature medicine, 2010nature.com
Here we present methods to longitudinally track islet allograft–infiltrating T cells in live mice
by endoscopic confocal microscopy and to analyze circulating T cells by in vivo flow
cytometry. We developed a new reporter mouse whose T cell subsets express distinct,'color-
coded'proteins enabling in vivo detection and identification of effector T cells (Teff cells) and
discrimination between natural and induced regulatory T cells (nTreg and iTreg cells). Using
these tools, we observed marked differences in the T cell response in recipients receiving …
Abstract
Here we present methods to longitudinally track islet allograft–infiltrating T cells in live mice by endoscopic confocal microscopy and to analyze circulating T cells by in vivo flow cytometry. We developed a new reporter mouse whose T cell subsets express distinct, 'color-coded' proteins enabling in vivo detection and identification of effector T cells (Teff cells) and discrimination between natural and induced regulatory T cells (nTreg and iTreg cells). Using these tools, we observed marked differences in the T cell response in recipients receiving tolerance-inducing therapy (CD154-specific monoclonal antibody plus rapamycin) compared to untreated controls. These results establish real-time cell tracking as a powerful means to probe the dynamic cellular interplay mediating immunologic rejection or transplant tolerance.
nature.com