BALB/c (H2-d) mice

To address the issue whether infected DC process pathogen-derived antigen and stimulate antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in vivo, we have infected susceptible BALB/c (H2-d) mice with a recombinant Leishmania major parasite expressing a fluorescent tracer. We have directly visualized antigen-presenting cells using a mAb reacting to an antigenic peptide derived from the parasite LACK antigen bound to I-Ad MHC class II molecule. I-Ad/LACK complexes were readily detected at the surface of freshly purified parasite-containing DC which expressed a CD8?- CD11b+ F4/80+ gp40- surface phenotype. As demonstrated by electron microscopy some DC contained live amastigotes and expressed I-Ad/LACK complexes in the membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole. Therefore, LACK could be processed and presented to T cells by infected DC in vivo.

created over 16 years ago (2 March 2009)    last modified over 13 years ago (28 September 2011)   [ RDF ]   [ RelFinder ]