Visualization of antigen-specific T cell activation and cytokine expression in vivo
Rogers, W.O.; Weaver, C.T.; Kraus, L.A.; Li, J.; Li, L.; Bucy, R.P.
Journal of Immunology 158(2): 649-657
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 8992980 Document Number: 476971
A transgenic TCR adoptive transfer system was used to visualize Ag-specific T cell activation and cytokine expression in vivo. After s.c. injection of peptide in adjuvant the entire Ag-specific population up-regulated IL-2 receptor alpha-chain expression, underwent blast transformation, and developed a memory-surface phenotype. A minority of the Ag-specific T cells produced predominantly IL-2 mRNA and localized at the T cell/B cell junction in draining lymph nodes. In the secondary response, a mixed cytokine pattern of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines was demonstrated. When peptide was administered i.v. without adjuvant, 50% of the Ag-specific cells expressed IL-2, but the peak of expression occurred before IL-2 receptor alpha-chain up-regulation, and only a minority of the Ag-specific T cells underwent blast transformation.