To study the architecture and dynamics of immune responses as they occur, the phenotypic and genotypic hallmarks of clonally restricted immune responses may be used to identify and characterize antigen-specific lymphocyte populations in histological sections of frozen spleen. We shall take advantage of the clonally restricted T- and B cell response of B10.A mice to pigeon cytochrome c (PCC) conjugated with (4-hydroxy-3- nitrophenyl) acetyl (NP) to identify and characterize antigen-specific lymphocyte populations in situ. Enzyme- and fluorochrome labeled antibodies and lectins will be used to follow the population and spatial dynamics of responding T cells in reference to the splenic anatomy, association with antigen-presenting cells, and interaction with specific B lymphocytes. BrdUrd- and Tdt-labeling will be used to follow T cell proliferation and programmed death in situ. Microdissection of small T cell populations or single cells from histologic sections will be used in conjunction with the PCR amplification of canonical V(D)J alpha- and beta- chain rearrangements to study the somatic genetics of responding cells. Transfection and expression of cloned V(D)J fragments in a reporter cell liner will allow the reconstruction and study of TCR phenotypes of single microdissected cells. These techniques have made possible the first in situ studies of T cell competition and selection in response to antigen, insight into cellular collaboration in the T- and B zones of the spleen, and the character of dominant TCR phenotypes. Together, these studies lay the foundation for creating a true population genetics for the T and B lymphocytes that mount an immune response.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG013789-02
Application #
2330223
Study Section
Immunobiology Study Section (IMB)
Project Start
1996-02-01
Project End
2001-01-31
Budget Start
1997-03-11
Budget End
1998-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
003255213
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201
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Cerasoli, D M; Kelsoe, G; Sarzotti, M (2001) CD4+Thy1- thymocytes with a Th-type 2 cytokine response. Int Immunol 13:75-83
Chen, Z; Koralov, S B; Kelsoe, G (2000) Regulation of humoral immune responses by CD21/CD35. Immunol Rev 176:194-204
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Chen, Z; Koralov, S B; Kelsoe, G (2000) Complement C4 inhibits systemic autoimmunity through a mechanism independent of complement receptors CR1 and CR2. J Exp Med 192:1339-52
Takahashi, Y; Cerasoli, D M; Dal Porto, J M et al. (1999) Relaxed negative selection in germinal centers and impaired affinity maturation in bcl-xL transgenic mice. J Exp Med 190:399-410
Yang, K; Davila, M; Kelsoe, G (1999) Do germinal centers have a role in the generation of lymphomas? Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 246:53-60;discussion 61-2
Dal Porto, J M; Haberman, A M; Shlomchik, M J et al. (1998) Antigen drives very low affinity B cells to become plasmacytes and enter germinal centers. J Immunol 161:5373-81
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Kelsoe, G (1996) The germinal center: a crucible for lymphocyte selection. Semin Immunol 8:179-84