Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are central to initiate antigen-specific immunity and tolerance. The in vivo development and distribution of DCs are now better understood even in nonlymphoid tissues [1]. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of blood vessels and DCs are highly enriched in the intimal area of the aorta, which is predisposed to develop atherosclerosis. Previously, we were the first to show antigen presenting DCs and their subsets in the aorta [2, 3]. Here, we discuss several useful methods to characterize not only DCs but also other immune cells in steady state and atherosclerotic aorta. These comprise multiparameter flow cytometry strategies including intracellular staining and cell sorting, en face immunohistochemistry of DCs and regulatory T cells (Tregs), and Oil Red O staining of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta.
Keywords:
Aorta; Atherosclerosis; CD11c; Dendritic cells; Macrophage; Regulatory T cells (Tregs).
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens, CD / genetics
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Antigens, CD / immunology
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Aorta / immunology
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Aorta / pathology*
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Apolipoproteins E / deficiency
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Apolipoproteins E / genetics
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Atherosclerosis / genetics
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Atherosclerosis / immunology
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Atherosclerosis / pathology*
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Azo Compounds
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Biomarkers / metabolism
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Dendritic Cells / immunology
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Dendritic Cells / pathology*
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Flow Cytometry / methods*
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Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
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Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology
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Gene Expression
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Immunohistochemistry / methods
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Microtomy / methods
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Receptors, LDL / deficiency
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Receptors, LDL / genetics
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology*
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Tunica Intima / immunology
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Tunica Intima / pathology*
Substances
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Antigens, CD
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Apolipoproteins E
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Azo Compounds
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Biomarkers
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Forkhead Transcription Factors
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Foxp3 protein, mouse
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Receptors, LDL
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oil red O