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Dissecting T Cell Contraction In Vivo Using a Genetically Encoded Reporter of Apoptosis
- Source :
- Cell Reports; November 2012, Vol. 2 Issue: 5 p1438-1447, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Contraction is a critical phase of immunity whereby the vast majority of effector T cells die by apoptosis, sparing a population of long-lived memory cells. Where, when, and why contraction occurs has been difficult to address directly due in large part to the rapid clearance of apoptotic T cells in vivo. To circumvent this issue, we introduced a genetically encoded reporter for caspase-3 activity into naive T cells to identify cells entering the contraction phase. Using two-photon imaging, we found that caspase-3 activity in T cells was maximal at the peak of the response and was associated with loss of motility followed minutes later by cell death. We demonstrated that contraction is a widespread process occurring uniformly in all organs tested and targeting phenotypically diverse T cells. Importantly, we identified a critical window of time during which antigen encounters act to antagonize T cell apoptosis, supporting a causal link between antigen clearance and T cell contraction. Our results offer insight into a poorly explored phase of immunity and provide a versatile methodology to study apoptosis during the development or function of a variety of immune cells in vivo.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 22111247
- Volume :
- 2
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Cell Reports
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs29030192
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2012.10.015