In vivo localisation patterns and cell-cell interactions of cytokine producing T-cells and specific antibody forming B-cells.

摘要: Because of its central position in the bloodstream and large amount migrating lymphocytes, spleen plays a role primary defense against infections. Two critical functions can be recognized: it serves as phagocytic filter is major antibody producing organ1. Although participates significantly host mechanisms, not essential for life. Nevertheless, removal increases risk on overwhelming infections by bacteria with polysaccharide capsules, e.g. Streptococcus pneumonia, Neisseria meningitidis orHaemo-philus influenza 2. After i.v. immunization, site production3. Since eight times more lymphocytes recirculate via than all lymph nodes together4, most likely that entire antigen-specific B- T-cell repertoire available spleen. The complex anatomical organization distinct compartments containing specialized cell types provides unique micro-environment allowing cell-cell interactions which are initiation continuation various immune responses5 (fig. 1). To fully understand response obviously necessary to look at this organ functional vivo way. This means one should switch from conventional phenotyping immunocompetent cells characterisation (e.g. resting vs activated). In looking B-cells example clearly separate membrane-Ig positive, memory plasma cells. latter group further subdivided antigen specificity produced antibodies. For purpose we developed new methodology detection specific forming (AFCs) tissue sections. By double staining could also simultaneously determine isotype these AFCs (reviewed in: 6).