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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Visualizing Lymph Node Structure and Cellular Localization using Ex-Vivo Confocal Microscopy
Published on: August 9, 2019
The cervical lymph node preparation: a novel approach to study lymphocyte homing by intravital microscopy
R Schramm1, H-J Schäfers, Y Harder
1Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospitals of Saarland, Kirrberger Strasse, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. reneschramm@hotmail.com
Objective:
Lymphocyte recirculation constitutes an integral part of the adaptive immune system. Blood-borne lymphocytes migrate into secondary lymphoid organs, crossing the vascular wall of site-specific high endothelial venules (HEVs). We created a preparation of the cervical lymph node in mice to study lymphocyte homing in vivo.
Methods And Results:
Our novel approach allowed the detailed analysis of hemodynamics and lymphocyte-HEV endothelium interactions by means of intravital fluorescence microscopy. We confirm the key roles of L-selectin and LFA-1 for lymphocyte homing. Blockade of L-selectin function inhibited lymphocyte rolling and firm adhesion by 92% and 66%. In LFA-1-deficient mice, lymphocyte firm adhesion was reduced by 70%. In addition to the microcirculation studies, the cervical lymph node preparation allowed for visualization of afferent lymphatic transport, which is mainly derived from the oral mucosa.
Conclusion:
This study reports a novel technical tool for the detailed in vivo analysis of adaptive immune responses.
