Intravital two-photon imaging of T-cell priming and tolerance in the lymph node

Methods Mol Biol. 2007:380:355-63. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-395-0_22.

Abstract

Two-photon microscopy makes it possible to image in real-time fluorescently labeled cells located in deep tissue environments. We describe a procedure to visualize the behavior of lymph node T cells during either priming or tolerance, in live, anesthetized mice. Intravital imaging of T lymphocytes is a powerful tool to study the cellular orchestration of adaptive immune responses in physiological settings. This method should provide new insights into the regulation of lymphocyte migration and cell-cell interactions in various immunological contexts.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer / methods
  • Animals
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology*
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology*
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Photons*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / transplantation