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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Multicolor Flow Cytometry Analyses of Cellular Immune Response in Rhesus Macaques
Published on: April 23, 2010
Interferon production by and leukocyte phenotyping of rhesus monkey lymph node and peripheral blood cells
G Sonnenfeld1, L Schaffar, D A Schmitt
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY 40292.
Insights
Rhesus monkey leukocytes produce interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and can be identified using human antibodies. This study demonstrates cross-reactivity of anti-human antibodies with monkey immune cells, aiding comparative immunology research.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Primate Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Peripheral blood leukocytes and lymph node cells are crucial for immune responses.
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a key cytokine in cellular immunity.
- Understanding immune cell markers and functions in non-human primates is vital for comparative studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capacity of rhesus monkey leukocytes to produce IFN-gamma.
- To assess the binding of anti-human monoclonal antibodies to rhesus monkey immune cells.
- To evaluate the effect of human IFN-gamma on rhesus monkey leukocyte surface antigen expression.
Main Methods:
- Cell culture and mitogen stimulation of leukocytes and lymph node cells.
- Detection of IFN-gamma using biological assays and radioimmunoassay.
- Flow cytometry analysis of cell-surface marker binding using fluoresceinated anti-human antibodies.
- Incubation of leukocytes with recombinant human IFN-gamma and subsequent analysis of HLA-DR expression.
Main Results:
- Rhesus monkey leukocytes and lymph node cells produced IFN-gamma upon mitogen challenge.
- Rhesus monkey IFN-gamma was detected by biological assay but not human radioimmunoassay.
- Several anti-human antibodies showed significant binding to rhesus monkey peripheral blood and lymph node cells.
- Recombinant human IFN-gamma enhanced the expression of class II major histocompatibility complex antigens on rhesus monkey peripheral blood leukocytes.
Conclusions:
- Rhesus monkey immune cells possess functional capabilities similar to human cells regarding IFN-gamma production.
- Cross-reactivity of anti-human antibodies with rhesus monkey cells enables their use in flow cytometry for immune cell profiling.
- Human IFN-gamma can modulate immune cell surface markers in rhesus monkeys, suggesting conserved biological pathways.
Abstract:
The ability of peripheral blood leukocytes to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and be labeled with monoclonal antibodies against cell-surface markers was determined in this study. Both peripheral blood leukocytes and lymph node cells were able to produce IFN-gamma after challenge with mitogens. The rhesus monkey IFN-gamma was detectable by means of a biological assay but not by means of a radioimmunoassay for human IFN-gamma. Peripheral blood leukocytes and lymph node cells from rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were treated with fluoresceinated antibodies directed primarily against cell-surface antigens of humans. The degree of binding was determined by means of flow cytometry. Several of the anti-human antibodies did bind to the rhesus monkey peripheral blood leukocytes, as expected. In a novel study, the antibodies bound in a similar fashion to rhesus monkey lymph node cells. Binding of the antibodies was equivalent whether the cells came from inguinal or axillary lymph nodes. Rhesus monkey peripheral blood leukocytes incubated with recombinant human IFN-gamma showed enhanced expression of class II major histocompatibility complex antigens, as detected with anti-HLA-DR antibodies.
