A new flow cytometric assay for the simultaneous analysis of antigen-specific elimination of T cells in heterogeneous T cell populations

J Immunol Methods. 2009 May 31;344(2):98-108. doi: 10.1016/j.jim.2009.03.008. Epub 2009 Mar 28.

Abstract

Novel immunosuppressive strategies are targeting for an antigen-specific deletion of T cells responsible for organ damage in autoimmunity and allograft rejection. Here, we present a new flow cytometry-based assay that allows the reliable and efficient detection of T cells that were eliminated in an antigen-specific fashion. A stable cell-labelling technique utilizing the two membrane dyes PKH26 and PKH67 has been combined with annexin V and 7-aminoactinomycin (7-AAD) staining to detect apoptotic cells. A differential gating strategy enabled us to determine the viability/apoptosis for each PKH-stained T cell subpopulation independently. The capability to simultaneously analyze apoptosis within T cell mixtures of different antigen specificities establishes this assay as a superior tool for the further development of novel antigen-specific immunosuppressive approaches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Annexin A5 / chemistry
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism
  • Apoptosis*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry*
  • Dactinomycin / analogs & derivatives
  • Dactinomycin / chemistry
  • Flow Cytometry / methods*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Organic Chemicals / chemistry
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism*

Substances

  • Annexin A5
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Organic Chemicals
  • PKH 26
  • PKH67
  • Dactinomycin
  • 7-aminoactinomycin D