Visualization of bone marrow monocyte mobilization using Cx3cr1gfp/+Flt3L-/- reporter mouse by multiphoton intravital microscopy.

Monocytes are innate immune cells that play critical roles in inflammation and immune defense. A better comprehension of how monocytes are mobilized and recruited is fundamental to understand their biologic role in disease and steady state. The BM represents a major "checkpoint" for monocyte homeostasis, as it is the primary site for their production and release. Our study determined that the Cx3cr1(gfp/+) mouse strain is currently the most ideal model for the visualization of monocyte behavior in the BM by multiphoton intravital microscopy. However, we observed that DCs are also labeled with high levels of GFP and thus, interfere with the accuracy of monocyte tracking in vivo. Hence, we generated a Cx3cr1(gfp/+)Flt3L(-/-) reporter mouse and showed that whereas monocyte numbers were not affected, DC numbers were reduced significantly, as DCs but not monocytes depend on Flt3 signaling for their development. We thus verified that mobilization of monocytes from the BM in Cx3cr1(gfp/+)Flt3L(-/-) mice is intact in response to LPS. Collectively, our study demonstrates that the Cx3cr1(gfp/+)Flt3L(-/-) reporter mouse model represents a powerful tool to visualize monocyte activities in BM and illustrates the potential of a Cx3cr1(gfp/+)-based, multifunctionality fluorescence reporter approach to dissect monocyte function in vivo.

Neutrophil mobilization via plerixafor-mediated CXCR4 inhibition arises from lung demargination and blockade of neutrophil homing to the bone marrow.

Blood neutrophil homeostasis is essential for successful host defense against invading pathogens. Circulating neutrophil counts are positively regulated by CXCR2 signaling and negatively regulated by the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis. In particular, G-CSF, a known CXCR2 signaler, and plerixafor, a CXCR4 antagonist, have both been shown to correct neutropenia in human patients. G-CSF directly induces neutrophil mobilization from the bone marrow (BM) into the blood, but the mechanisms underlying plerixafor-induced neutrophilia remain poorly defined. Using a combination of intravital multiphoton microscopy, genetically modified mice and novel in vivo homing assays, we demonstrate that G-CSF and plerixafor work through distinct mechanisms. In contrast to G-CSF, CXCR4 inhibition via plerixafor does not result in neutrophil mobilization from the BM. Instead, plerixafor augments the frequency of circulating neutrophils through their release from the marginated pool present in the lung, while simultaneously preventing neutrophil return to the BM. Our study demonstrates for the first time that drastic changes in blood neutrophils can originate from alternative reservoirs other than the BM, while implicating a role for CXCR4-CXCL12 interactions in regulating lung neutrophil margination. Collectively, our data provides valuable insights into the fundamental regulation of neutrophil homeostasis, which may lead to the development of improved treatment regimens for neutropenic patients.

Intravital multiphoton imaging of immune responses in the mouse ear skin.

Multiphoton (MP) microscopy enables the direct in vivo visualization, with high spatial and temporal resolution, of fluorescently tagged immune cells, extracellular matrix and vasculature in tissues. This approach, therefore, represents a powerful alternative to traditional methods of assessing immune cell function in the skin, which are mainly based on flow cytometry and histology. Here we provide a step-by-step protocol describing experimental procedures for intravital MP imaging of the mouse ear skin, which can be easily adapted to address many specific skin-related biological questions. We demonstrate the use of this procedure by characterizing the response of neutrophils during cutaneous inflammation, which can be used to perform in-depth analysis of neutrophil behavior in the context of the skin microanatomy, including the epidermis, dermis and blood vessels. Such experiments are typically completed within 1 d, but as the procedures are minimally invasive, it is possible to perform longitudinal studies through repeated imaging.

Phospholipase Cgamma2 dosage is critical for B cell development in the absence of adaptor protein BLNK.

B cell linker (BLNK) protein and phospholipase Cgamma2 (PLCgamma2) are components of the BCR signalosome that activate calcium signaling in B cells. Mice lacking either molecule have a severe but incomplete block in B lymphopoiesis. In this study, we generated BLNK-/- PLCgamma2-/- mice to examine the effect of simultaneous disruption of both molecules on B cell development. We showed that BLNK-/- PLCgamma2-/- mice had compounded defects in B cell maturation compared with either single mutant, suggesting that these two molecules cooperatively or synergistically signaled B lymphopoiesis. However, Ig H chain allelic exclusion was maintained in single and double mutants, indicating that signals propagated by BLNK and PLCgamma2 were not involved in this process. Interestingly, in the absence of BLNK, B cell development was dependent on plcgamma2 gene dosage. This was evidenced by the proportionate decrease in splenic B cell population and increase in bone marrow surface pre-BCR+ cells in PLCgamma2-diploid, -haploid, and -null animals. Intracellular calcium signaling and ERK activation in response to BCR engagement were also proportionately decreased and delayed, respectively, with stepwise reduction of plcgamma2 dosage in a BLNK(null) background. Thus, these data indicate the importance of BLNK not only as a conduit to specifically channel BCR-signaling pathways and as a scaffold for the assembling of macromolecular complex, but also as an efficient aggregator or concentrator of PLCgamma2 molecules to effect optimal signaling for B cell generation and activation.

Peritoneal CD5+ B-1 cells have signaling properties similar to tolerant B cells.

CD5(+) B (or B-1) cells are the normal precursors of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. They differ from conventional B (B-2) cells with respect to their phenotype and mitogenic responses and are often secretors of the natural polyreactive antibodies in the serum. The origin of B-1 cells remains controversial, and the relationship between B-1 cells and autoreactive B cells is unclear. Here, we compare the signaling pathways that are activated by the engagement of the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) in B-1 and B-2 cells. Stimulation of the BCR leads to the induced activation of the three major classes of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK, as well as the Akt kinase and the transcription factors nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) and NF-kappaB in B-2 cells. In contrast, B-1 cells have constitutive activation of ERK and NF-AT but exhibit delayed JNK and lack p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB induction upon BCR cross-linking. The lack of NF-kappaB activation in B-1 cells may be due to a lack of Akt activation in these cells. Furthermore, our study using specific inhibitors reveals that the extended survival of B-1 cells in culture is not due to the constitutive activation of ERK; nor is it due to Akt signaling or Bcl-x(L) up-regulation, since these are not induced in B-1 cells. The current findings of altered MAPK and NF-AT activation and lack of NF-kappaB induction in B-1 cells indicate that these cells have signaling properties similar to tolerant B cells that are chronically exposed to self-antigens. Indeed, BCR stimulation of B-1 cells does not lead to their full activation as indicated by their lack of maximal up-regulation of specific markers such as CD25, CD69, and CD86.