A cytokine promoter/yellow fluorescent protein reporter transgene serves as an early activation marker of lymphocyte subsets

Shantha Kumar, Marianne J. Skeen, Yaffa Adiri, Hyseuk Yoon, Vaiva D. Vezys, Aron E. Lukacher, Brian D. Evavold, H. Kirk Ziegler, Jeremy M. Boss

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

A mouse containing an IL-4 promoter linked to the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) reporter transgene was created to follow aspects of lymphocyte development and function. Following stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin, anti-CD3/CD28, antigen-specific peptide, or allogeneic cells, both CD4 and CD8 T cells expressed the transgene within 24 h in a manner that was consistent with cellular activation markers. Transgene induction was inhibited by cyclosporine and FK506, suggesting that its activation occurs in an NFAT-dependent manner. B lymphocytes were also able to express the transgene when stimulated with LPS. This induction was inhibited in part by rapamycin. The results suggest that this transgene can function as an indicator of lymphocyte activation. Because YFP is not toxic and requires no preparation of the cells to view the reporter gene, this system provides a unique tool to follow lymphocyte activation in a number of model systems, such as those involving transplantation, allergy, and vaccine development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)131-140
Number of pages10
JournalCellular Immunology
Volume237
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2005

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank the Emory University Transgenic facility for their efforts in the generation and initial breeding of the animals in this study. We also thank Tracey Walden for technical assistance. This work was supported by an NIH grant R21RR15183 and an Emory University Faculty Research Award.

Keywords

  • CD4/CD8 cells
  • T cell activation
  • Transgenic

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