This project was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants HL087088 (M.K.) and HL18208 (M.K.).

1. Isolation of Human T Lymphocytes
<ol>
 <li>Obtain human blood from a healthy donor. Allow the blood to cool to room temperature (~30 min) before proceeding to the next step.</li>
 <li>Gently pipette 3 mL of room temperature Polymorph density gradient media into an 8 mL round-bottom polystyrene tube. Gently add 3 mL of whole blood on top of the Polymorph media. It is important to avoid mixing of the two reagents.</li>
 <li>Centrifuge the tubes at 500 x g for 45 minutes at room temperature.</li>
 <li>Following the centrifugation, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) have now separated from other blood components into the top cell layer. The PBMC layer appears, from the top down, as the first cloudy band.</li>
 <li>Carefully remove the clear yellow-colored upper phase of the blood, above the PBMC layer, and then use a P1000 micropipette to transfer the PBMC layer to a 15 mL or 50 mL conical tube.</li>
 <li>Wash the PBMC twice with PBS, centrifuging cells at 500 x g for 5 minutes each time. The supernatant will be somewhat cloudy after each wash.</li>
</ol>
2. Culture of Human T Lymphocytes
<ol>
 <li>Using a pipette, transfer the PBMC to a T-75 culture flask in 20 mL RPMI 1640 media containing 10% FBS, 1% penicillin/streptomycin, and 1 &mu;g/mL phytohemagglutinin (PHA).</li>
 <li>Incubate at 37&deg;C and 5% CO2 for at least 1 hour, and up to 24 hours. This step allows monocytes, which will be adherent to the flask surface, to be separated from the lymphocytes that remain in suspension. If a short incubation (1 hour) is used at this step, it is acceptable to use RPMI 1640 media containing 10% FBS and 1% penicillin/streptomycin without supplementing with PHA as specified in step 2.1.</li>
 <li>Carefully remove all of the media from the flask, add it to a 50 mL conical tube, and centrifuge at 500 x g for 5 minutes.</li>
 <li>Resuspend the cell pellet, which now primarily contains lymphocytes, and transfer the cells to a new T-75 flask containing 25 mL RPMI 1640 media containing 10% FBS, 1% penicillin/streptomycin, and 1 &mu;g/mL PHA.</li>
 <li>Incubate at 37&deg;C for 3 days (2 days if the initial incubation of PBMC was overnight). After 24 hours of growth, it may be necessary to add 15-20 mL of fresh media and transfer to a larger T-175 flask.</li>
 <li>After 3 days, use a pipette to remove the media and suspended lymphocytes from the flask and transfer to a 50 mL conical tube. Centrifuge at 500 x g for 5 minutes.</li>
 <li>Resuspend the cell pellet and transfer cells to a new T-75 or T-175 flask containing 25 mL (T-75) or 50 mL (T-175) RPMI 1640 with 10% FBS, 1% penicillin/streptomycin, and 20 ng/mL human IL-2 or IL-15.</li>
 <li>Grow lymphocytes for 4-7 days. If starting with a T-75 flask, the culture will need to be expanded and transferred to a T-175 flask after 1-2 days.</li>
</ol>
3. In Vitro Lymphocyte Migration Assay
<ol>
 <li>1 day before the migration assay, coat a glass-bottom 0.17 mm dish with 20 &mu;g/mL Protein A or G in PBS overnight at 4&deg;C.</li>
 <li>Wash the dish extensively with PBS.</li>
 <li>Immobilize human ICAM-1/Fc (10 &mu;g/mL) and human SDF-1 (2 &mu;g/mL) by adding these reagents in PBS solution to the dish and incubating 4 hours at room temperature.</li>
 <li>Prepare T lymphocytes by first determining the cell density in culture in the T-175 flask using a hemacytometer. Approximately 2-5 x 105 cells should be used per dish to achieve a cell density appropriate for migration analysis.</li>
 <li>Wash T lymphocytes twice with PBS and then resuspend in 1 mL L-15 media containing 1 mg/mL D-glucose.</li>
 <li>Wash the dish coated with ICAM-1/Fc and SDF-1 extensively with PBS.</li>
 <li>Transfer T lymphocytes in 1 mL media to the dish and maintain them at 37&deg;C.</li>
</ol>
4. Capturing an Image Sequence Using NIS Elements Software
<ol>
 <li>Open NIS Elements software.</li>
 <li>In the camera settings menu, choose "2x2 binning" as the mode for both live imaging and image capture.</li>
 <li>Go to the Applications menu and choose Define/Run Experiment.</li>
 <li>Choose the length of time between images and the total length of the image capture sequence.</li>
 <li>Press the "Run" button to begin image acquisition.</li>
 <li>Cells can be tracked and migration parameters (velocity, path length, displacement, etc.) quantified using one of several software packages, including ImageJ, AutoQuant or Volocity (Figure 1).</li>
 <li>To generate a "spider web plot," the x-y coordinates for each cell and timepoint are collected (Figure 2) and projected onto a graph with a common starting point for each cell at the origin (Figure 3).</li>
</ol>
5. Representative Results
On day 6 of culture in the presence of either IL-2 or IL-15, T lymphocytes make up >98% of cells, as determined by positive CD3 staining as well as positive CD4 and/or CD8 staining. For IL-2, we found 83% CD4+ cells, 15% CD8+ and &lt;1% CD4+CD8+ cells. For IL-15, we found 88% CD4+ cells, 11% CD8+ and &lt;1% CD4+CD8+ cells. During T lymphocyte migration on ICAM-1/SDF-1 substrates, cells exhibited a velocity of approximately 15 &mu;m/min that can be sustained over a 1 hour time period. T lymphocyte migration on ICAM-1/SDF-1 is dependent on LFA-1-mediated adhesion, as an anti-LFA-1 ligand-blocking antibody severely inhibits migration.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2017/2017fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1" /> Figure 1. Cell tracking of migrating T lymphocytes. T lymphocytes isolated from whole blood and cultured in the presence of IL-2 or IL-15 for 6 days were allowed to adhere and migrate on glass-bottomed dishes coated with 10 &mu;g/mL ICAM-1 and 2 &mu;g/mL SDF-1. Images were acquired every 10 seconds for 30 minutes. Cells were identified in each image and tracked over time using Volocity software. This movie shows the random migration of T lymphocytes at a velocity of ~15 &mu;m/min.
<a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/2017/2017_Kim_Movie1.mov">Click here to see the video.</a> 
Movie 1. Cell tracking of migrating T lymphocytes. T lymphocytes isolated from whole blood and cultured in the presence of IL-2 or IL-15 for 6 days were allowed to adhere and migrate on glass-bottomed dishes coated with 10 &mu;g/mL ICAM-1 and 2 &mu;g/mL SDF-1. Images were acquired every 10 seconds for 30 minutes. Cells were identified in each image and tracked over time using Volocity software. This movie shows the random migration of T lymphocytes at a velocity of ~15 &mu;m/min.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2017/2017fig2.jpg" alt="Figure 2" /> 
Figure 2. Spatiotemporal cell position. The X-Y coordinates of each cell were obtained for each time point using Volocity software.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2017/2017fig3.jpg" alt="Figure 3" /> 
Figure 3. "Spider web plot." Using the X-Y-t coordinates for each cell, 15 cells were chosen at random and plotted with a common starting point at the origin. Comparing spider web plots gives a quick visual depiction of differences in migration between different experimental conditions. Plots for T lymphocyte migration under control conditions (left panel) and in the presence of an anti-LFA-1 ligand-blocking antibody (right panel).

<ol>
	<li>Hyun, Y. M., Chung, H. L., McGrath, J. L., Waugh, R. E., Kim, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activated+integrin+VLA-4+localizes+to+the+lamellipodia+and+mediates+t+cell+migration+on+VCAM-1.">Activated integrin VLA-4 localizes to the lamellipodia and mediates t cell migration on VCAM-1.</a> J Immunol. 183, 359-369 (2009).</li><li>Morin, N. A., Oakes, P. W., Hyun, Y. M., Lee, D., Chin, Y. E., King, M. R., Springer, T. A., Shimaoka, M., Tang, J. X., Reichner, J. S., Kim, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nonmuscle+myosin+heavy+chain+IIA+mediates+integrin+LFA-1+de-adhesion+during+T+lymphocyte+migration.">Nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIA mediates integrin LFA-1 de-adhesion during T lymphocyte migration.</a> The Journal of experimental medicine. 205, 195-205 (2008).</li><li>Hyun, Y. M., Lefort, C. T., Kim, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Leukocyte+integrins+and+their+ligand+interactions.">Leukocyte integrins and their ligand interactions.</a> Immunologic research. , (2009).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

In this experiment, we provide details on a simple system to analyze the motility of primary human T lymphocytes. In vitro migration assays have been used to dissect the roles of many molecules and signaling pathways involved in the locomotion of various cell types. Some critical controls to keep in mind when designing your own experiment from our protocol include: 1) Non-adhesive or non-integrin adhesive substrate coatings, such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) or poly-L lysine (PLL), respectively, 2) integrin-spe...

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
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<tr>
<td>RPMI 1640</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Gibco</td>
<td>11875</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>FBS</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
<td>SH300070.03</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Gibco</td>
<td>15140</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>1-Step Polymorphs</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Accurate Chemical</td>
<td>AN221725</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>PHA</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Remel/Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>R30852801</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Rec. human IL-2</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>R&amp;D Systems</td>
<td>202-IL</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Rec. human IL-15</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>R&amp;D Systems</td>
<td>247-IL</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Protein G</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
<td>19459</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Rec. human ICAM-1/Fc</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>R&amp;D Systems</td>
<td>720-IC</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Rec. human SDF-1</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>R&amp;D Systems</td>
<td>350-NS</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

human t lymphocyte isolation, culture and analysis of migration in vitro

The migration of T lymphocytes involves the adhesive interaction of cell surface integrins with ligands expressed on other cells or with extracellular matrix proteins. The precise spatiotemporal activation of integrins from a low affinity state to a high affinity state at the cell leading edge is important for T lymphocyte migration 1. Likewise, retraction of the cell trailing edge, or uropod, is a necessary step in maintaining persistent integrin-dependent T lymphocyte motility 2. Many therapeutic approaches to autoimmune or inflammatory diseases target integrins as a means to inhibit the excessive recruitment and migration of leukocytes 3. To study the molecular events that regulate human T lymphocyte migration, we have utilized an in vitro system to analyze cell migration on a two-dimensional substrate that mimics the environment that a T lymphocyte encounters during recruitment from the vasculature. T lymphocytes are first isolated from human donors and are then stimulated and cultured for seven to ten days. During the assay, T lymphocytes are allowed to adhere and migrate on a substrate coated with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a ligand for integrin LFA-1, and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1). Our data show that T lymphocytes exhibit a migratory velocity of ~15 &mu;m/min. T lymphocyte migration can be inhibited by integrin blockade 1 or by inhibitors of the cellular actomyosin machinery that regulates cell migration 2.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Human T Lymphocyte Isolation, Culture and Analysis of Migration In Vitro at JoVE.com

Human T Lymphocyte Isolation, Culture and Analysis of Migration In Vitro

T lymphocyte migration occurs during homing to lymphoid organs, exit from the vasculature, and entering into peripheral tissues. Here, we describe a protocol that can be used to analyze T lymphocyte migration in vitro.

Human T Lymphocyte Isolation, Culture and Analysis of Migration In Vitro

The migration of T lymphocytes involves the adhesive interaction of cell surface integrins with ligands expressed on other cells or with extracellular ...

human-t-lymphocyte-isolation-culture-analysis-migration

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Immunology and Infection

46.1K Views.  University of Rochester. T lymphocyte migration occurs during homing to lymphoid organs, exit from the vasculature, and entering into peripheral tissues. Here, we describe a protocol that can be used to analyze T lymphocyte migration in vitro.

Video: Human T Lymphocyte Isolation, Culture and Analysis of Migration In Vitro

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 ...

Lymphocyte Isolation from Human Skin for Phenotypic Analysis and Ex Vivo Cell Culture

Human skin has an important barrier function and contains various immune cells that contribute to tissue homeostasis and protection from pathogens. As the skin is relatively easy to access, it provides an ideal platform to study peripheral immune regulatory mechanisms. Immune resident cells in healthy skin conduct immunosurveillance, but also play an important role in the development of inflammatory skin disorders, such as psoriasis. Despite emerging insights, our understanding of the biology underlying various inflammatory skin diseases is still limited. There is a need for good quality (single) cell populations isolated from biopsied skin samples. So far, isolation procedures have been seriously hampered by a lack of obtaining a sufficient number of viable cells. Isolation and subsequent analysis have also been affected by the loss of immune cell lineage markers, due to the mechanical and chemical stress caused by the current dissociation procedures to obtain single cell suspension. Here, we describe a modified method to isolate T cells from both healthy and involved psoriatic human skin by combining mechanical skin dissociation using an automated tissue dissociator and collagenase treatment. This methodology preserves expression of most immune lineage markers such as CD4, CD8, Foxp3 and CD11c upon the preparation of single cell suspensions. Examples of successful CD4+ T cell isolation and subsequent phenotypic and functional analysis are shown.

Lymphocyte Isolation from Human Skin for Phenotypic Analysis and Ex Vivo Cell Culture

We describe a protocol to efficiently isolate skin resident T cells from human skin biopsies. This protocol yields sufficient numbers of viable human skin resident lymphocytes for flow cytometric analysis and ex vivo culture.

Human skin has an important barrier function and contains various immune cells that contribute to tissue homeostasis and protection from pathogens. As the ...

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&amp;#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 ...

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Natural Killer Cell Lytic Activity in Human Whole Blood

NK cell cytotoxicity is a widely used measure to determine the effect of outside intervention on NK cell function. However, the accuracy and reproducibility of this assay can be considered unstable, either because of user&#39;s errors or because of the sensitivity of NK cells to experimental manipulation. To eliminate these issues, a workflow that reduces them to a minimum was established and is presented here. To illustrate, we obtained blood samples, at various time points, from runners (n = 4) that were submitted to an intense bout of exercise. First, NK cells are simultaneously identified and isolated through CD56 tagging and magnetic-based sorting, directly from whole blood and from as little as one milliliter. The sorted NK cells are removed of any reagent or capping antibodies. They can be counted in order to establish an accurate NK cell count per milliliter of blood. Secondly, the sorted NK cells (effectors cells or E) can be mixed with 3,3&#39;-Diotadecyloxacarbocyanine Perchlorate (DiO) tagged K562 cells (target cells or T) at an assay-optimal 1:5 T:E ratio, and analyzed using an imaging flow-cytometer that allows for the visualization of each event and the elimination of any false positive or false negatives (such as doublets or effector cells). This workflow can be completed in about 4 h, and allows for very stable results even when working with human samples. When available, research teams can test several experimental interventions in human subjects, and compare measurements across several time points without compromising the data&#39;s integrity.

This work describes an advanced workflow for the accurate and fast determination of NK (Natural Killer) cell count and NK cell cytotoxicity in human blood samples.

NK cell cytotoxicity is a widely used measure to determine the effect of outside intervention on NK cell function. However, the accuracy and ...

Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Gamma Delta T Cells

The female reproductive tract (FRT) mucosal immune system serves as the first line of defense. Better knowledge of the genital mucosa is therefore essential for understanding pathogenicity of different pathogens including HIV. Gamma delta (GD) T cells are the prototype of &#39;unconventional&#39; T cells and represent a relatively small subset of T cells defined by their expression of heterodimeric T-cell receptors (TCRs) composed of gamma and delta chains. This sets them apart from the classical and much better known CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells that are defined by alpha-beta TCRs. GD T cells often show tissue-specific localization and are enriched in epithelium. GD T cells orchestrate immune responses in inflammation, tumor surveillance, infectious disease, and autoimmunity.
Here, we present a method to reproducibly isolate and analyze human endocervical intraepithelial GD T lymphocytes. We have used endocervical cytobrush samples from women participating in the Women&#39;s Interagency HIV Infection Study (WIHS). Knowledge about GD T cells interactions during conditions in which there is an insult to the vaginal mucosal could be applied to any clinical study in which mucosal vulnerability is addressed, including the development of vaginal microbicides.In addition, knowledge about mucosal GD T cell responses has potential for application of GD T cell-based immune therapy in treating infectious diseases.

We describe here an isolation method to obtain human endocervical intraepithelial lymphocytes for the analysis of intraepithelial gamma delta T cells. This protocol can be extended for the purification of endocervical gamma delta T cells by magnetic beads or by cell sorting.

The female reproductive tract (FRT) mucosal immune system serves as the first line of defense. Better knowledge of the genital mucosa is therefore ...

Analysis of Lymphocyte Extravasation Using an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood-brain Barrier

Lymphocyte extravasation into the central nervous system (CNS) is critical for immune surveillance. Disease-related alterations of lymphocyte extravasation might result in pathophysiological changes in the CNS. Thus, investigation of lymphocyte migration into the CNS is important to understand inflammatory CNS diseases and to develop new therapy approaches. Here we present an in vitro model of the human blood-brain barrier to study lymphocyte extravasation. Human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) are confluently grown on a porous polyethylene terephthalate transwell insert to mimic the endothelium of the blood-brain barrier. Barrier function is validated by zonula occludens immunohistochemistry, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements as well as analysis of evans blue permeation. This model allows investigation of the diapedesis of rare lymphocyte subsets such as CD56brightCD16dim/- NK cells. Furthermore, the effects of other cells, cytokines and chemokines, disease-related alterations, and distinct treatment regimens on the migratory capacity of lymphocytes can be studied. Finally, the impact of inflammatory stimuli as well as different treatment regimens on the endothelial barrier can be analyzed.

Analysis of Lymphocyte Extravasation Using an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood-brain Barrier

Here, we describe a human blood-brain barrier model enabling to investigate lymphocyte transmigration into the central nervous system in vitro.

Lymphocyte extravasation into the central nervous system (CNS) is critical for immune surveillance. Disease-related alterations of lymphocyte ...

Quantifying Human Monocyte Chemotaxis In Vitro and Murine Lymphocyte Trafficking In Vivo

Chemotaxis is migration along a specific chemical gradient1. Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that promote cellular trafficking with anatomic and temporal specificity2. Chemotaxis is a critical function of lymphocytes and other immune cells that can be quantitatively assessed in vitro. This manuscript describes methods that permit the evaluation of chemotaxis, both in vitro and in vivo, for diverse cell types including cell lines and native cells. The in vitro, plate-based format permits the comparison of several conditions simultaneously in real-time, and can be completed within 1-4 h. In vitro assay conditions can be manipulated to introduce agonists and antagonists, as well as differentiate chemotaxis from chemokinesis, which is random movement. For in vivo trafficking assessments, immune cells can be labeled with multiple fluorescent dyes and used for adoptive transfer. The differential labeling of cells allows for mixed cell populations to be introduced into the same animal, thereby decreasing variance and reducing the number of animals required for an adequately powered experiment. Migration into lymphoid tissue occurs in as little as 1 h, and multiple tissue compartments can be sampled. Flow cytometry following tissue harvest allows for a rapid and quantitative analysis of the migratory patterns of multiple cell types.

Quantifying Human Monocyte Chemotaxis In Vitro and Murine Lymphocyte Trafficking In Vivo

Protocols for quantitative assessment of lymphocyte chemotaxis and migration are important tools for immunology research. Here, an in vitro protocol is described that permits real-time, multiplexed evaluation of cell migration, as well as a complementary in vivo technique enabling tracking of native cells to spleen.

Chemotaxis is migration along a specific chemical gradient1. Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that promote cellular trafficking with anatomic and ...

Isolation and In Vitro Culture of Murine and Human Alveolar Macrophages

Alveolar macrophages are terminally differentiated, lung-resident macrophages of prenatal origin. Alveolar macrophages are unique in their long life and their important role in lung development and function, as well as their lung-localized responses to infection and inflammation. To date, no unified method for identification, isolation, and handling of alveolar macrophages from humans and mice exists. Such a method is needed for studies on these important innate immune cells in various experimental settings. The method described here, which can be easily adopted by any laboratory, is a simplified approach to harvesting alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or from lung tissue and maintaining them in vitro. Because alveolar macrophages primarily occur as adherent cells in the alveoli, the focus of this method is on dislodging them prior to harvest and identification. The lung is a highly vascularized organ, and various cell types of myeloid and lymphoid origin inhabit, interact, and are influenced by the lung microenvironment. By using the set of surface markers described here, researchers can easily and unambiguously distinguish alveolar macrophages from other leukocytes, and purify them for downstream applications. The culture method developed herein supports both human and mouse alveolar macrophages for in vitro growth, and is compatible with cellular and molecular studies.

Isolation and In Vitro Culture of Murine and Human Alveolar Macrophages

This communication describes methodologies for isolation and culture of alveolar macrophages from humans and murine models for experimental purposes.

Alveolar macrophages are terminally differentiated, lung-resident macrophages of prenatal origin. Alveolar macrophages are unique in their long life and ...

Analysis of Shear Flow-induced Migration of Murine Marginal Zone B Cells In Vitro

Marginal zone B cells (MZBs) are a population of B cells that reside in the mouse splenic marginal zones that envelop follicles. To reach the follicles, MZBs must migrate up the shear force of blood flow. We present here a method for analyzing this flow-induced MZB migration in vitro. First, MZBs are isolated from the mouse spleen. Second, MZBs are settled on integrin ligands in flow chamber slides, exposed to shear flow, and imaged under a microscope while migrating. Third, images of the migrating MZBs are processed using the MTrack2 automatic cell tracking plugin for ImageJ, and the resulting cell tracks are quantified using the Ibidi chemotaxis tool. The migration data reveal how fast the cells move, how often they change direction, whether the shear flow vector affects their migration direction, and which integrin ligands are involved. Although we use MZBs, the method can easily be adapted for analyzing migration of any leukocyte that responds to the force of shear flow.

Marginal zone B cells (MZBs) respond to the force of shear flow by re-orienting their migration path up the flow. This protocol shows how to record and analyze the migration using a fluidics unit, pump, microscope imaging system, and free software.

Marginal zone B cells (MZBs) are a population of B cells that reside in the mouse splenic marginal zones that envelop follicles. To reach the follicles, ...