Name: in situ detection of autoreactive cd4 t cells in brain and heart using major histocompatibility complex class ii dextramers
Uploaded: 2014-08-01T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In Situ Detection of Autoreactive CD4 T Cells in Brain and Heart Using Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Dextramers at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the American Heart Association and the Children&#8217;s Cardiomyopathy Foundation (SDG2462390204001), and the National Institutes of Health (HL114669). CM is a recipient of a postdoctoral research fellowship grant awarded by the Myocarditis Foundation, NJ.

Ethics Statement:
All animal procedures were conducted in accordance with the guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and approved by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE.
1. Induction of EAE
<ol>
	<li>To induce EAE, prepare the peptide/complete Freund&#8217;s adjuvant (CFA) emulsion as described in 11 with the following modifications: Step 1.1: prepare PLP 139-151 at a concentration of 1 mg/ml in 1x phosphate buffered sa...

<ol>
	<li>Cecconi, V., Moro, M., Del Mare, ., Dellabona, S., P, G., Casorati, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+MHC+class+II+tetramers+to+investigate+CD4++T+cell+responses:+problems+and+solutions.">Use of MHC class II tetramers to investigate CD4+ T cell responses: problems and solutions.</a> Cytometry A. 73 (11), 1010-1018 (2008).</li><li>Ferlin, W., Glaichenhaus, N., Mougneau, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Present+difficulties+and+future+promise+of+MHC+multimers+in+autoimmune+exploration.">Present difficulties and future promise of MHC multimers in autoimmune exploration.</a> Curr Opin Immunol. 12, 670-675 (2000).</li><li>Kwok, W. W., Ptacek, N. A., Liu, A. W., Buckner, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+class+II+tetramers+for+identification+of+CD4++T+cells.">Use of class II tetramers for identification of CD4+ T cells.</a> J Immunol Methods. 268, 71-81 (2002).</li><li>Landais, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+design+of+MHC+class+II+tetramers+to+accommodate+fundamental+principles+of+antigen+presentation.">New design of MHC class II tetramers to accommodate fundamental principles of antigen presentation.</a> J Immunol. 183, 7949-7957 (2009).</li><li>Nepom, G. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MHC+class+II+tetramers.">MHC class II tetramers.</a> J Immunol. 188, 2477-2482 (2012).</li><li>Vollers, S. S., Stern, L. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Class+II+major+histocompatibility+complex+tetramer+staining:+progress,+problems,+and+prospects.">Class II major histocompatibility complex tetramer staining: progress, problems, and prospects.</a> Immunology. 123, 305-313 (2008).</li><li>Wooldridge, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tricks+with+tetramers:+how+to+get+the+most+from+multimeric+peptide-MHC.">Tricks with tetramers: how to get the most from multimeric peptide-MHC.</a> Immunology. 126, 147-164 (2009).</li><li>Massilamany, C., Upadhyaya, B., Gangaplara, A., Kuszynski, C., Reddy, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection+of+autoreactive+CD4+T+cells+using+major+histocompatibility+complex+class+II+dextramers.">Detection of autoreactive CD4 T cells using major histocompatibility complex class II dextramers.</a> BMC Immunol. 12, 1471-2172 (2011).</li><li>Batard, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dextramers:+new+generation+of+fluorescent+MHC+class+I/peptide+multimers+for+visualization+of+antigen-specific+CD8++T+cells.">Dextramers: new generation of fluorescent MHC class I/peptide multimers for visualization of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells.</a> J Immunol Methods. 310 (1-2), 136-148 (2006).</li><li>Massilamany, C., Gangaplara, A., Jia, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+staining+with+major+histocompatibility+complex+class+II+dextramers+permits+detection+of+antigen-specific,+autoreactive+CD4+T+cells+in+situ.">Direct staining with major histocompatibility complex class II dextramers permits detection of antigen-specific, autoreactive CD4 T cells in situ.</a> PLoS One. 9 (1), (2014).</li><li>Massilamany, C., Khalilzad-Sharghi, V., Gangaplara, A., Steffen, D., Othman, S. F., Reddy, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Noninvasive+Assessment+of+Cardiac+Abnormalities+in+Experimental+Autoimmune+Myocarditis+by+Magnetic+Resonance+Microscopy+Imaging+in+the+Mouse.">Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Imaging in the Mouse.</a> J Vis Exp. (88), e51654 (2014).</li><li>Massilamany, C., Steffen, D., Reddy, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+epitope+from+Acanthamoeba+castellanii+that+cross-react+with+proteolipid+protein+139-151-reactive+T+cells+induces+autoimmune+encephalomyelitis+in+SJL+mice.">An epitope from Acanthamoeba castellanii that cross-react with proteolipid protein 139-151-reactive T cells induces autoimmune encephalomyelitis in SJL mice.</a> J Neuroimmunol. 219 (1-2), 17-24 (2010).</li><li>Donermeyer, D. L., Beisel, K. W., Allen, P. M., Smith, S. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Myocarditis-inducing+epitope+of+myosin+binds+constitutively+and+stably+to+I-Ak+on+antigen-presenting+cells+in+the+heart.">Myocarditis-inducing epitope of myosin binds constitutively and stably to I-Ak on antigen-presenting cells in the heart.</a> J Exp Med. 182 (5), 1291-1300 (1995).</li><li>Liao, L., Sindhwani, R., Leinwand, L., Diamond, B., Factor, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiac+alpha-myosin+heavy+chains+differ+in+their+induction+of+myocarditis.+Identification+of+pathogenic+epitopes.">Cardiac alpha-myosin heavy chains differ in their induction of myocarditis. Identification of pathogenic epitopes.</a> J Clin Invest. 92 (6), 2877-2882 (1993).</li><li>Cameron, T. O., Cochran, J. R., Yassine-Diab, B., Sekaly, R. P., Stern, L. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cutting+edge:+detection+of+antigen-specific+CD4++T+cells+by+HLA-DR1+oligomers+is+dependent+on+the+T+cell+activation+state.">Cutting edge: detection of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells by HLA-DR1 oligomers is dependent on the T cell activation state.</a> J Immunol. 166 (2), 741-745 (2001).</li><li>Novak, E. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activated+human+epitope-specific+T+cells+identified+by+class+II+tetramers+reside+within+a+CD4high,+proliferating+subset.">Activated human epitope-specific T cells identified by class II tetramers reside within a CD4high, proliferating subset.</a> Int Immunol. 13 (6), 799-806 (2001).</li><li>Reddy, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection+of+autoreactive+myelin+proteolipid+protein+139-151-specific+T+cells+by+using+MHC+II+(IAs)+tetramers.">Detection of autoreactive myelin proteolipid protein 139-151-specific T cells by using MHC II (IAs) tetramers.</a> J Immunol. 170 (2), 870-877 (2003).</li><li>Skinner, P. J., Daniels, M. A., Schmidt, C. S., Jameson, S. C., Haase, A. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cutting+edge:+In+situ+tetramer+staining+of+antigen-specific+T+cells+in+tissues.">Cutting edge: In situ tetramer staining of antigen-specific T cells in tissues.</a> J Immunol. 165 (2), 613-617 (2000).</li><li>Skinner, P. J., Haase, A. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+situ+tetramer+staining.">In situ tetramer staining.</a> J Immunol Methods. 268 (1), 29-34 (2002).</li><li>Skinner, P. J., Haase, A. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+situ+staining+using+MHC+class+I+tetramers.">In situ staining using MHC class I tetramers.</a> Curr Protoc Immunol. Chapter 17, Unit 17.14.11 (2004).</li></ol>

Unlike MHC class I tetramers, the use of MHC class II tetramers for routine applications continues to be challenging, especially to enumerate the precursor frequencies of low-affinity autoreactive CD4 T cells, due in part to their activation dependency 6,15-17. Recently, this problem was circumvented by creating the next generation of tetramers, called &#8220;dextramers,&#8221; permitting us to detect antigen-specific CD4 T cells for a number of autoantigens, such as PLP 139-151, MOG 35-55 and Myhc 334-352 <su...

The use of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II tetramers for detection of antigen-specific CD4 T cells has been a challenge 1-7. To enhance the detection sensitivity of MHC class II tetramers, the research team has created next-generation tetramers, designated &#8220;dextramers&#8221; 8. Dextramers contain dextran backbones in which multiple streptavidin-fluorophore moieties are conjugated, such that several peptide-tethered, biotinylated MHC monomers can be attached to one dextran molecule9. Thus, large aggregates of MHC dextramers that contain several MHC-peptide complexes can interact with multiple T cell receptors (TCRs).
This group recently generated dextramers for various self-antigens and demonstrated that the detection sensitivity of dextramers was approximately five-fold more than tetramers 8. The experimental systems include experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced with proteolipid protein (PLP) 139-151 in SJL mice; EAE induced with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35-55 in C57Bl/6 mice; and experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) induced with cardiac myosin heavy chain-&#945; (Myhc) 334-352 in A/J mice. This study demonstrates the use of PLP 139-151- and Myhc 334-352 dextramers to detect antigen-specific CD4 T cells in situ with specificity by developing a direct staining protocol, thereby eliminating the need to amplify the signals from using fluorophore antibodies, an approach commonly employed with the use of tetramers. In addition, a comprehensive method of evaluating tissues has also been devised to reliably enumerate the frequencies of antigen-specific CD4 T cells in situ 10. Detection of antigen-specific T cells in situ permits delineation of events caused by specific antigenic stimuli from those caused by bystander activation. Likewise, the in situ technique also provides opportunities to track the kinetics of antigen-specific T cell infiltrations in the target organs.

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			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:619px;">CFA</td>
			<td style="width:364px;">Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">5881</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Store at 4&#959;C</td>
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		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">MTB&#160; H37Rv extract&#160;</td>
			<td>Difco Laboratories, Detroit, MI</td>
			<td>231141</td>
			<td>Store at 4&#959;C</td>
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		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">PT</td>
			<td>List Biologicals Laboratories, Campbell, CA</td>
			<td>181</td>
			<td>Store at 4&#959;C</td>
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		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">1x PBS&#160;</td>
			<td>Corning, Manassas, VA</td>
			<td>21-040-CV</td>
			<td>Store at 4&#959;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Female A/J mice&#160;</td>
			<td>Jackson Laboratories, Bar Harbor, ME</td>
			<td>646</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Female SJL/J mice</td>
			<td>Jackson Laboratories, Bar Harbor, ME</td>
			<td>686</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Leur-lok sterile 1 ml syrringe</td>
			<td>BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ</td>
			<td>309628</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Leur-lok sterile 3 ml syrringe</td>
			<td>BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ</td>
			<td>309657</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sterile needle, 18 G</td>
			<td>BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ</td>
			<td>305195</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sterile needle, 27 1/2 G</td>
			<td>BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ</td>
			<td>305109</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">3-way stopcock&#160;</td>
			<td>Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. Dublin, OH</td>
			<td>MX5311L</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Kerlix gauze bandage rolls&#160;</td>
			<td>Covidien, Mansfield, MA</td>
			<td>6720</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Kimwipes</td>
			<td>Kimberly-Clark Professional, Roswell, GA</td>
			<td>34155</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Agarose, Low Melting Point, Analytical Grade</td>
			<td>Promega corporation, Madison, WI</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">V2111</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">Immunopure normal goat serum</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">31873</td>
			<td>Store at -20 &#959;C</td>
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		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">Anti-mouse CD4 conjugated with PE dye</td>
			<td style="width:364px;">eBioscience, San Diego, CA&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">12004185</td>
			<td>Store at 4&#959;C</td>
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		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences, Hatfield, PA</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">19202</td>
			<td>Store at 4&#959;C</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Faramount Aqueous Mounting Medium</td>
			<td>Dako, Carpinteria, CA</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">10073021</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;">Conical tube (15ml)</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">352099</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Conical tube (50 ml)</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">352070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">24-well flat bottomed tissue culture plates</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA</td>
			<td>356775</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Water color #2 brushes</td>
			<td>Charles Leonard, Inc. Hauppauge, NY</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">73502</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Plain Microscope slides, size: 3&#34; x 1&#34; x 1.2 mm</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">1255010</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Premium Cover glass, 22 x 22-1</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">12548B</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Disposable deep base mold histology cassettes</td>
			<td>Laboratory prodcust, Rochester, NY</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">M-475-10</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Loctite Super glue</td>
			<td>Henkel Corporation, Westlake, OH</td>
			<td style="width:219px;">1471879</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Razor blades</td>
			<td>Gillette SuperSilver</td>
			<td style="width:219px;"></td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">Myhc-a 334-352 (DSAFDVLSFTAEEKAGVYK)</td>
			<td style="width:364px;">Neopeptide, Cambridge, MA</td>
			<td style="width:219px;"></td>
			<td>Store at 4&#959;C</td>
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		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">PLP 139-151 (HSLGKWLGHPDKF)</td>
			<td style="width:364px;">Neopeptide, Cambridge, MA</td>
			<td style="width:219px;"></td>
			<td>Store at 4&#959;C</td>
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		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">MHC class II/IAs PLP 139-151 or TMEV 70-86 dextramers conjugated with APC dye</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Store at 4&#959;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">MHC class II/IAk Myhc 334-352 or&#160; or RNase 40-56 dextramers conjugated with APC dye</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Store at 4&#959;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">Dextran conjugated SA-APC</td>
			<td>&#160;Immundex, Copenhagen, Demark</td>
			<td style="width:219px;"></td>
			<td>Store at 4&#959;C</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sterile surgical scissors and forceps</td>
			<td style="width:364px;">INOX tool Corporation</td>
			<td style="width:219px;"></td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Micro oven</td>
			<td style="width:364px;">GE Healthcare, Pittsuburgh, PA</td>
			<td style="width:219px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Leica VT 1200 Vibratome</td>
			<td>Leica Microsystems, Inc. Buffalo Grove, IL</td>
			<td style="width:219px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Olympus BX 60&#160; Laser scanning confocal microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus America, Inc. Center Valley, PA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Nikon A1-Eclipse 90i confocal microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon Inc. Melville, NY</td>
			<td style="width:219px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
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in situ detection of autoreactive cd4 t cells in brain and heart using major histocompatibility complex class ii dextramers

This report demonstrates the use of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II dextramers for detection of autoreactive CD4 T cells in situ in myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) 139-151-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in SJL mice and cardiac myosin heavy chain-&#945; (Myhc) 334-352-induced experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in A/J mice. Two sets of cocktails of dextramer reagents were used, where dextramers+ cells were analyzed by laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM): EAE, IAs/PLP 139-151 dextramers (specific)/anti-CD4 and IAs/Theiler&#8217;s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) 70-86 dextramers (control)/anti-CD4; and EAM, IAk/Myhc 334-352 dextramers/anti-CD4 and IAk/bovine ribonuclease (RNase) 43-56 dextramers (control)/anti-CD4. LSCM analysis of brain sections obtained from EAE mice showed the presence of cells positive for CD4 and PLP 139-151 dextramers, but not TMEV 70-86 dextramers suggesting that the staining obtained with PLP 139-151 dextramers was specific. Likewise, heart sections prepared from EAM mice also revealed the presence of Myhc 334-352, but not RNase 43-56-dextramer+ cells as expected. Further, a comprehensive method has also been devised to quantitatively analyze the frequencies of antigen-specific CD4 T cells in the &#8216;Z&#8217; serial images.

In this report, in situ detection of antigen-specific, autoreactive CD4 T cells by direct staining with MHC class II dextramers is described. Freshly cut cerebral sections were derived from EAE mice and stained with cocktails containing PLP 139-151 (specific) or TMEV 70-86 (control) dextramers and anti-CD4. The top panels in Figure 1 shows LSCM analysis of cerebral sections costained with PLP 139-151 dextramers (red) and CD4 antibody (green), where the double-positive cells appeared yellow. Such...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In Situ Detection of Autoreactive CD4 T Cells in Brain and Heart Using Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Dextramers at JoVE.com

In Situ Detection of Autoreactive CD4 T Cells in Brain and Heart Using Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Dextramers

The protocol to detect self-reactive CD4 T cells in brain and heart by direct staining with major histocompatibility complex class II dextramers has been described in this report. For comprehensive analysis, a reliable method to enumerate the frequencies of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in situ is also devised.

In Situ Detection of Autoreactive CD4 T Cells in Brain and Heart Using Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Dextramers

This report demonstrates the use of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II dextramers for detection of autoreactive CD4 T cells in situ in myelin ...

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Immunology and Infection

Retroviral Transduction of T-cell Receptors in Mouse T-cells

T-cell receptors (TCRs) play a central role in the immune system. TCRs on T-cell surfaces can specifically recognize peptide antigens presented by antigen presenting cells (APCs)1. This recognition leads to the activation of T-cells and a series of functional outcomes (e.g. cytokine production, killing of the target cells). Understanding the functional role of TCRs is critical to harness the power of the immune system to treat a variety of immunology related diseases (e.g. cancer or autoimmunity).
It is convenient to study TCRs in mouse models, which can be accomplished in several ways. Making TCR transgenic mouse models is costly and time-consuming and currently there are only a limited number of them available2-4. Alternatively, mice with antigen-specific T-cells can be generated by bone marrow chimera. This method also takes several weeks and requires expertise5. Retroviral transduction of TCRs into in vitro activated mouse T-cells is a quick and relatively easy method to obtain T-cells of desired peptide-MHC specificity. Antigen-specific T-cells can be generated in one week and used in any downstream applications. Studying transduced T-cells also has direct application to human immunotherapy, as adoptive transfer of human T-cells transduced with antigen-specific TCRs is an emerging strategy for cancer treatment6.
Here we present a protocol to retrovirally transduce TCRs into in vitro activated mouse T-cells. Both human and mouse TCR genes can be used. Retroviruses carrying specific TCR genes are generated and used to infect mouse T-cells activated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies. After in vitro expansion, transduced T-cells are analyzed by flow cytometry.

We present a protocol to produce antigen-specific mouse T-cells using retroviral transduction

T-cell receptors (TCRs) play a central role in the immune system. TCRs on T-cell surfaces can specifically recognize peptide antigens presented by antigen ...

piggyBac Transposon System Modification of Primary Human T Cells

The piggyBac transposon system is naturally active, originally derived from the cabbage looper moth1,2. This non-viral system is plasmid based, most commonly utilizing two plasmids with one expressing the piggyBac transposase enzyme and a transposon plasmid harboring the gene(s) of interest between inverted repeat elements which are required for gene transfer activity. PiggyBac mediates gene transfer through a "cut and paste" mechanism whereby the transposase integrates the transposon segment into the genome of the target cell(s) of interest. PiggyBac has demonstrated efficient gene delivery activity in a wide variety of insect1,2, mammalian3-5, and human cells6 including primary human T cells7,8. Recently, a hyperactive piggyBac transposase was generated improving gene transfer efficiency9,10.
Human T lymphocytes are of clinical interest for adoptive immunotherapy of cancer11. Of note, the first clinical trial involving transposon modification of human T cells using the Sleeping beauty transposon system has been approved12. We have previously evaluated the utility of piggyBac as a non-viral methodology for genetic modification of human T cells. We found piggyBac to be efficient in genetic modification of human T cells with a reporter gene and a non-immunogenic inducible suicide gene7. Analysis of genomic integration sites revealed a lack of preference for integration into or near known proto-oncogenes13. We used piggyBac to gene-modify cytotoxic T lymphocytes to carry a chimeric antigen receptor directed against the tumor antigen HER2, and found that gene-modified T cells mediated targeted killing of HER2-positive tumor cells in vitro and in vivo in an orthotopic mouse model14. We have also used piggyBac to generate human T cells resistant to rapamycin, which should be useful in cancer therapies where rapamycin is utilized15.
Herein, we describe a method for using piggyBac to genetically modify primary human T cells. This includes isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from human blood followed by culture, gene modification, and activation of T cells. For the purpose of this report, T cells were modified with a reporter gene (eGFP) for analysis and quantification of gene expression by flow cytometry.
PiggyBac can be used to modify human T cells with a variety of genes of interest. Although we have used piggyBac to direct T cells to tumor antigens14, we have also used piggyBac to add an inducible safety switch in order to eliminate gene modified cells if needed7. The large cargo capacity of piggyBac has also enabled gene transfer of a large rapamycin resistant mTOR molecule (15 kb)15. Therefore, we present a non-viral methodology for stable gene-modification of primary human T cells for a wide variety of purposes.

piggyBac Transposon System Modification of Primary Human T Cells

We describe a method to genetically modify primary human T cells with a transgene using the non-viral piggyBac transposon system. T cells modified to using the piggyBac transposon system exhibit stable transgene expression.

The piggyBac transposon system is naturally active, originally derived from the cabbage looper moth1,2. This non-viral system is plasmid based, most ...

Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes Induction in Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells

The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse spontaneously develops autoimmune diabetes after 12 weeks of age and is the most extensively studied animal model of human Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Cell transfer studies in irradiated recipient mice have established that T cells are pivotal in T1D pathogenesis in this model. We describe herein a simple method to rapidly induce T1D by adoptive transfer of purified, primary CD4+ T cells from pre-diabetic NOD mice transgenic for the islet-specific T cell receptor (TCR) BDC2.5 into NOD.SCID recipient mice. The major advantages of this technique are that isolation and adoptive transfer of diabetogenic T cells can be completed within the same day, irradiation of the recipients is not required, and a high incidence of T1D is elicited within 2 weeks after T cell transfer. Thus, studies of pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions in T1D can proceed at a faster rate than with methods that rely on heterogenous T cell populations or clones derived from diabetic NOD mice.

We provide a reproducible method to induce type 1 diabetes (T1D) in mice within two weeks by the adoptive transfer of islet antigen-specific, primary CD4+ T cells.

The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse spontaneously develops autoimmune diabetes after 12 weeks of age and is the most extensively studied animal model of ...

Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice

There are many different animal models available for studying the pathogenesis of human inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), each with its own advantages and disadvantages. We describe here an experimental colitis model that is initiated by adoptive transfer of syngeneic splenic CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells into T and B cell deficient recipient mice. The CD4+CD45RBhigh T cell population that largely consists of na&#239;ve effector cells is capable of inducing chronic intestinal inflammation, closely resembling key aspects of human IBD. This method can be manipulated to study aspects of disease onset and progression. Additionally it can be used to study the function of innate, adaptive, and regulatory immune cell populations, and the role of environmental exposures, i.e., the microbiota, in intestinal inflammation. In this article we illustrate the methodology for inducing colitis with a step-by-step protocol. This includes a video demonstration of key technical aspects required to successfully develop this murine model of experimental colitis for research purposes.

Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice

Here, we present a protocol to induce colonic inflammation in mice by adoptive transfer of syngeneic CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells into T and B cell deficient recipients. Clinical and histopathological features mimic human inflammatory bowel diseases. This method allows the study of the initiation of colonic inflammation and progression of disease.

There are many different animal models available for studying the pathogenesis of human inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), each with its own advantages ...

Mouse Na&#239;ve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets

Antigen inexperienced (na&#239;ve) CD4+ T cells undergo expansion and differentiation to effector subsets at the time of T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of cognate antigen presented on MHC class II. The cytokine signals present in the environment at the time of TCR activation are a major factor in determining the effector fate of a na&#239;ve CD4+ T cell. Although the cytokine environment during na&#239;ve T cell activation may be complex and involve both redundant and opposing signals in vivo, the addition of various cytokine combinations during naive CD4+ T cell activation in vitro can readily promote the establishment of effector T helper lineages with hallmark cytokine and transcription factor expression. Such differentiation experiments are commonly used as a first step for the evaluation of targets believed to promote or inhibit the development of certain CD4+ T helper subsets. The addition of mediators, such as signaling agonists, antagonists, or other cytokines, during the differentiation process can also be used to study the influence of a particular target on T cell differentiation. Here, we describe a basic protocol for the isolation of na&#239;ve T cells from mouse and the subsequent steps necessary for polarizing na&#239;ve cells to various T helper effector lineages in vitro.

Mouse Na&#239;ve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets

Na&#239;ve CD4+ T cells polarize to various subsets depending on the environment at the time of activation. The differentiation of na&#239;ve CD4+ T cells to various effector subsets can be achieved in vitro through the addition of T cell receptor stimuli and specific cytokine signals.

Antigen inexperienced (na&#239;ve) CD4+ T cells undergo expansion and differentiation to effector subsets at the time of T cell receptor (TCR) recognition ...

Imaging CD4 T Cell Interstitial Migration in the Inflamed Dermis

The ability of CD4 T cells to carry out effector functions is dependent upon the rapid and efficient migration of these cells in inflamed peripheral tissues through an as-yet undefined mechanism. The application of multiphoton microscopy to the study of the immune system provides a tool to measure the dynamics of immune responses within intact tissues. Here we present a protocol for non-invasive intravital multiphoton imaging of CD4 T cells in the inflamed mouse ear dermis. Use of a custom imaging platform and a venous catheter allows for the visualization of CD4 T cell dynamics in the dermal interstitium, with the ability to interrogate these cells in real-time via the addition of blocking antibodies to key molecular components involved in motility. This system provides advantages over both in vitro models and surgically invasive imaging procedures. Understanding the pathways used by CD4 T cells for motility may ultimately provide insight into the basic function of CD4 T cells as well as the pathogenesis of both autoimmune diseases and pathology from chronic infections.

The mechanisms that govern the interstitial motility of CD4 effector T cells at sites of inflammation are relatively unknown. We present a non-invasive approach to visualize and manipulate in vitro-primed CD4 T cells in the inflamed ear dermis, allowing for study of the dynamic behavior of these cells in situ.

The ability of CD4 T cells to carry out effector functions is dependent upon the rapid and efficient migration of these cells in inflamed peripheral ...

In Vitro Differentiation of Human CD4+FOXP3+ Induced Regulatory T Cells (iTregs) from Na&#239;ve CD4+ T Cells Using a TGF-&#946;-containing Protocol

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an integral part of peripheral tolerance, suppressing immune reactions against self-structures and thus preventing autoimmune diseases. Clinical approaches to adoptively transfer Tregs, or to deplete Tregs in cancer, are underway with promising first outcomes. 
Because the number of naturally occurring Tregs (nTregs) is very limited, studying certain Treg features using in vitro induced Tregs (iTregs) can be advantageous. To date, the best although not absolutely specific protein marker to delineate Tregs is the transcription factor FOXP3. Despite the importance of Tregs including non-redundant roles of peripherally induced Tregs, the protocols to generate iTregs are currently controversial, particularly for human cells. This protocol therefore describes the in vitro differentiation of human CD4+FOXP3+ iTregs from human na&#239;ve T cells using a range of Treg-inducing factors (TGF-&#946; plus IL-2 only, or their combination with retinoic acid, rapamycin or butyrate) in parallel. It also describes the phenotyping of these cells by flow cytometry and qRT-PCR. 
These protocols result in reproducible expression of FOXP3 and other Treg signature genes and enable the study of general FOXP3-regulatory mechanisms as well as protocol-specific effects to delineate the impact of certain factors. iTregs can be utilized to study various phenotypic aspects as well as molecular mechanisms of Treg induction. Detailed molecular studies are facilitated by relatively large cell numbers that can be obtained. 
A limitation for the application of iTregs is the relative instability of FOXP3 expression in these cells compared to nTregs. iTregs generated by these protocols can also be used for functional assays such as studying their suppressive function, in which iTregs induced by TGF-&#946; plus retinoic acid and rapamycin display superior suppressive activity. However, the suppressive capacity of iTregs can differ from nTregs and the use of appropriate controls is crucial.

This protocol describes the reproducible generation and phenotyping of human induced regulatory T cells (iTregs) from na&#239;ve CD4+ T cells in vitro. Different protocols for FOXP3 induction allow for the study of specific iTreg phenotypes obtained with respective protocols.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an integral part of peripheral tolerance, suppressing immune reactions against self-structures and thus preventing ...

Highly Multiplexed, Super-resolution Imaging of T Cells Using madSTORM

Imaging heterogeneous cellular structures using single molecule localization microscopy has been hindered by inadequate localization precision and multiplexing ability. Using fluorescent nano-diamond fiducial markers, we describe the drift correction and alignment procedures required to obtain high precision in single molecule localization microscopy. In addition, a new multiplexing strategy, madSTORM, is described in which multiple molecules are targeted in the same cell using sequential binding and elution of fluorescent antibodies. madSTORM is demonstrated on an activated T cell to visualize the locations of different components within a membrane-bound, multi-protein structure called the T cell receptor microcluster. In addition, application of madSTORM as a general tool for visualization of multi-protein structures is discussed.

We demonstrate a method to image multiple molecules within heterogeneous nano-structures at single molecule accuracy using sequential binding and elution of fluorescently labeled antibodies.

Imaging heterogeneous cellular structures using single molecule localization microscopy has been hindered by inadequate localization precision and ...

Quantification of Proliferating Human Antigen-specific CD4+ T Cells using Carboxyfluorescein Succinimidyl Ester

Described is a simple, in vitro, dye dilution-based method for measuring antigen-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The development of stable, non-toxic, fluorescent dyes such as carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) allows for rare, antigen-specific T cells to be distinguished from bystanders by diminution in fluorescent staining, as detected by flow cytometry. This method has the following advantages over alternative approaches: (i) it is very sensitive to low-frequency T cells, (ii) no knowledge of the antigen or epitope is required, (iii) the phenotype of the responding cells can be analyzed, and (iv) viable, responding cells can be sorted and used for further analysis, such as T cell cloning.

Quantification of Proliferating Human Antigen-specific CD4+ T Cells using Carboxyfluorescein Succinimidyl Ester

Presented here is a protocol for measuring proliferating CD4+ T cells in response to antigenic proteins or peptides using dye dilution. This assay is particularly sensitive to rare antigen-specific T cells and can be modified to facilitate cloning of antigen-specific cells.

Described is a simple, in vitro, dye dilution-based method for measuring antigen-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation in human peripheral blood mononuclear ...

Assessing the Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I on Primary Murine Hippocampal Neurons by Flow Cytometry

Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that neuro-immune interactions impact nervous system function in both homeostatic and pathologic conditions. A well-studied function of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) is the presentation of cell-derived peptides to the adaptive immune system, particularly in response to infection. More recently it has been shown that the expression of MHCI molecules on neurons can modulate activity-dependent changes in the synaptic connectivity during normal development and neurologic disorders. The importance of these functions to the brain health supports the need for a sensitive assay that readily detects MHCI expression on neurons. Here we describe a method for primary culture of murine hippocampal neurons and then assessment of MHCI expression by flow cytometric analysis. Murine hippocampus is microdissected from prenatal mouse pups at the embryonic day 18. Tissue is dissociated into a single cell suspension using enzymatic and mechanical techniques, then cultured in a serum-free media that limits growth of non-neuronal cells. After 7 days in vitro, MHCI expression is stimulated by treating cultured cells pharmacologically with beta interferon. MHCI molecules are labeled in situ with a fluorescently tagged antibody, then cells are non-enzymatically dissociated into a single cell suspension. To confirm the neuronal identity, cells are fixed with paraformaldehyde, permeabilized, and labeled with a fluorescently tagged antibody that recognizes neuronal nuclear antigen NeuN. MHCI expression is then quantified on neurons by flow cytometric analysis. Neuronal cultures can easily be manipulated by either genetic modifications or pharmacologic interventions to test specific hypotheses. With slight modifications, these methods can be used to culture other neuronal populations or to assess expression of other proteins of interest.

This protocol describes a method for culturing primary hippocampal neurons from embryonic mouse brain. The expression of major histocompatibility complex class I on the extracellular surface of cultured neurons is then assessed by flow cytometric analysis.

Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that neuro-immune interactions impact nervous system function in both homeostatic and pathologic conditions. A ...