The Role of Calcium Ions in Lymphocyte Activation

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant):Our laboratory has pioneered the use of patch-clamp and optical techniques to investigate the role of ion channels and (Ca) signaling in T lymphocytes. T cells initiate the immune response to foreign antigens following direct contact with primed antigen presenting cells (APC) such as dendritic cells. T cell receptor (TCR) engagement results in a cytosolic Ca (Ca) signal that leads to Ca dependent gene expression, cytokine secretion, proliferation, and differentiation. Our proposed experimental approach using live-cell imaging will parallel this sequence of events. Two-photon microscopy has recently enable visualization of T and B cells deep within intact lymph node, and has revealed a dynamic pattern of motility and cell-cell interaction, offering a unique opportunity for in vivo imaging of immune system function. Thus, our approach will aim to consolidate results from in vitro and in vivo experiments performed on antigen-specific primary T cells from transgenic mice and T cell lines. A variety of introduced and genetically encoded fluorescent reporters will monitor the TCR directly, (Ca), gene expression, and secretory responses in T cells before and after stimulation. A further goal of this project is to compare the functional responses of quiescent, activated, and chronically activated auto reactive T cells in light of their differing ion channel phenotypes.