CD4+ T cell responses have been shown to be protective in many respiratory virus infections. In the respiratory tract, CD4+ T cells include cells in the airway and parenchyma and cells adhering to the pulmonary vasculature. Here we discuss in detail the methods that are useful for characterizing CD4+ T cells in different anatomic locations in mouse lungs.
Keywords: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; Flow cytometry; Intranasal/intravascular antibody labeling; Lung; Memory CD4+ T cell.