Abstract
Lymphocyte motility is vital for trafficking within lymphoid organs and for initiating contact with antigen-presenting cells. Visualization of these processes has previously been limited to in vitro systems. We describe the use of two-photon laser microscopy to image the dynamic behavior of individual living lymphocytes deep within intact lymph nodes. In their native environment, T cells achieved peak velocities of more than 25 micrometers per minute, displaying a motility coefficient that is five to six times that of B cells. Antigenic challenge changed T cell trajectories from random walks to "swarms" and stable clusters. Real-time two-photon imaging reveals lymphocyte behaviors that are fundamental to the initiation of the immune response.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adoptive Transfer
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Animals
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Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
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Antigen-Presenting Cells / physiology
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Antigens / immunology*
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B-Lymphocytes / cytology
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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B-Lymphocytes / physiology
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Cell Division
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Cell Movement
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Cell Size
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Fluoresceins
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Fluorescent Dyes
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Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
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Lasers
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Lymph Nodes / cytology
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Lymph Nodes / immunology*
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Lymphocyte Activation*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Microscopy / methods
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Motion Pictures
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Photons
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Rhodamines
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Succinimides
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T-Lymphocytes / cytology
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
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Temperature
Substances
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(((4-chloromethyl)benzoyl)amino)-tetramethylrhodamine
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5-(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester
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Antigens
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Fluoresceins
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Fluorescent Dyes
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Rhodamines
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Succinimides