Imaging the choreography of lymphocyte trafficking and the immune response

Curr Opin Immunol. 2006 Aug;18(4):476-82. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2006.05.013. Epub 2006 Jun 12.

Abstract

The functioning of the immune system depends upon exquisitely choreographed interactions between its cellular constituents. Two-photon microscopy now enables us to visualize cell motility and cell-cell interactions deep within intact tissues and organs, both in explanted preparations and in vivo. Real-time immunoimaging techniques have illuminated the roles of random and chemokine-driven motility for cellular search strategies, the complex dynamics of cellular interactions, and the micro-anatomical localization and control of lymphocyte trafficking. Recently, advances have been made in these areas of research, as exemplified by studies investigating T cell-dendritic cell interactions, T cell-B cell interactions, and the regulation of lymphocyte egress from the lymph node.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Communication / immunology*
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Humans
  • Microscopy / methods
  • Photons
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*