Open AccessCalcein: A novel marker for lymphocytes which enter lymph nodes
Author(s) -
Weston Susan A.,
Parish Christopher R.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
cytometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1097-0320
pISSN - 0196-4763
DOI - 10.1002/cyto.990130710
Subject(s) - homing (biology) , high endothelial venules , calcein , lymphocyte homing receptor , lymph node , lymph , biology , lymphatic system , phenotype , flow cytometry , lymphocyte , spleen , fluorescein , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , antigen , immunology , cell , fluorescence , cell adhesion , medicine , genetics , membrane , gene , ecology , physics , quantum mechanics
Abstract Previous studies have identified unique cell surface antigens which are associated with the specific binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEV). Evidence is presented in this paper which demonstrates that uptake of the fluorescent dye calcein by lymphocytes represents au additional marker for the lymph node homing subpopulation of lymphocytes. Calcein exhibits a characteristic ability to label lymphocytes differentially into two distinct populations, based on fluorescence intensity, that does not occur with three other structurally related, fluorescein‐based dyes. In vivo lymphocyte migration studies revealed that cells displaying the “dull” fluorescence phenotype, although entering all lymphoid organs examined, preferentially homed to the lymph nodes, particularly the popliteal lymph node (PLN). By contrast, lymphocytes displaying the “bright” phenotype were essentially excluded from entering lymphoid organs, where entry is HEV dependent, but were observed entering spleen, where entry is HEV independent. Furthermore, a high proportion (76. 5%) of lymphocytes displaying the dull fluorescence phenotype expressed the PLN homing receptor MEL‐14. Based on these observations it is suggested that calcein uptake may be a marker for general membrane properties, such as fluidity and plasticity, essential for the passage of lymphocytes through HEV. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.