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Cutting edge: intravascular staining redefines lung CD8 T cell responses
Kristin G Anderson1, Heungsup Sung, Cara N Skon
1Department of Microbiology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|August 17, 2012
Summary
Most memory CD8 T cells in mouse lungs reside in blood vessels, not lung tissue. Intravascular staining reveals distinct T cell behaviors, revising models of lung immunity and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Nonlymphoid T cell populations are crucial for controlling infections and modulating inflammatory diseases.
- T cell migration, differentiation, and maintenance are key areas of research.
- Pulmonary T cell trafficking and differentiation differ significantly from other nonlymphoid tissues like the intestine and skin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the precise localization and behavior of T cells within the lung.
- To understand the regulation of T cell migration, differentiation, and maintenance in the pulmonary environment.
- To re-evaluate existing models of pulmonary T cell function in protection and disease.
Main Methods:
- Systemic infection model in mice.
- Isolation of memory CD8 T cells from mouse lungs.
- Standard cell isolation techniques versus intravascular staining.
- Phenotypic analysis and chemokine receptor profiling.
Main Results:
- Over 95% of memory CD8 T cells isolated by standard methods were confined to the pulmonary vasculature, not lung parenchyma.
- Respiratory infection transiently increased virus-specific T cell localization within lung tissue.
- Intravascular staining revealed distinct phenotypic signatures and chemokine-dependent trafficking of Ag-experienced T cells within the lung.
- A significant portion of T cells previously thought to be in lung tissue were actually in the bloodstream.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary T cell populations are predominantly intravascular, challenging previous assumptions.
- Intravascular staining is critical for accurately assessing T cell populations within the lung.
- A revised model of pulmonary T cell trafficking and differentiation is necessary.
- Studies on pulmonary T cells require re-evaluation based on these findings.
