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Isolating Lymphocytes from the Mouse Small Intestinal Immune System
Published on: February 28, 2018
Day/night variations of myeloid and lymphoid cell subsets in the murine inguinal lymph node
Paula M Wagner1, César G Prucca1, Lucia Boffelli2
1CIQUIBIC - CONICET, Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Insights
Immune cell populations, including natural killer T (NKT) cells and neutrophils, show distinct diurnal patterns in mice. This circadian rhythm in immune readiness may impact immunotherapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Chronobiology
- Physiology
Background:
- Circadian rhythms regulate physiological processes over a 24-hour cycle.
- Immune function is known to be influenced by these daily rhythms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal distribution of immune cell populations in mice.
- To understand the diurnal variations in immune cell composition within inguinal lymph nodes.
Main Methods:
- Mice were entrained to a 12:12-hour light-dark cycle.
- Inguinal lymph node samples were collected at specific zeitgeber times (ZT0 and ZT12).
- Immune cell composition was analyzed using flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- Natural killer T (NKT) cells and neutrophils were significantly higher at ZT0 (lights on) compared to ZT12 (lights off).
- Dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells did not show significant temporal variation.
- Adaptive immune cells, including Programmed cell Death protein 1 (PD1)+ CD4+ and PD1+ CD8+ T cells, were more abundant during the light phase.
Conclusions:
- A diurnal pattern exists in immune cell populations, suggesting varying immune readiness throughout the day.
- These findings have implications for timing immunotherapeutic interventions to maximize efficacy.
Abstract:
Circadian rhythms orchestrate physiological processes, including immune function, across a 24-h cycle. This study investigates the temporal distribution of immune cell populations in healthy mice entrained to a 12:12-h light-dark cycle. Inguinal lymph node (iLN) samples were collected at zeitgeber times (ZT) 0 (lights on) and ZT12 (lights off) to assess immune cell composition. A significantly higher proportion of natural killer T (NKT) cells and neutrophils was observed at ZT0 compared to ZT12, while dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells showed no significant temporal variation. Additionally, adaptive immune cells, particularly Programmed cell Death protein 1+ (PD1+) Cluster of differentiation 4+ (CD4+) and PD1+ Cluster of differentiation 8+ (CD8+) T cells, were more abundant during the light phase. These findings suggest a diurnal pattern in immune readiness, with implications for optimizing immunotherapeutic interventions based on circadian timing.
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