Final Activity Report Summary - MULTIQUANTUM (Combining multi-photon microscopy and quantum dot technology to study molecular dynamics on single cells in vivo)
Continuous lymphocyte trafficking through secondary lymphoid organs, such as spleen and peripheral lymph nodes (PLN), forms the basis for efficient immune surveillance by the adaptive immune system. Inside PLN, lymphocytes disseminate into T cell zones and B cell follicles where they screen dendritic cells (DCs) before departure via efferent lymphatic vessels. Together with adhesion receptors, lymphocyte recruitment from blood, interstitial migration and egress is regulated by G-protein coupled receptors, such as chemokine receptors and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1.
A major focus is the study of molecular mechanisms of lymphocyte migration to and within PLN, with a special emphasis on chemokine receptor signalling. To this end, we have applied novel imaging techniques for the study of these events, mainly two photon microscopy (2PM) in combination with quantum dot (QD) technology. Our results uncover the possibilities and pitfalls of the use of this novel technology, and highlight the usefulness of QDs for specific applications.
A major focus is the study of molecular mechanisms of lymphocyte migration to and within PLN, with a special emphasis on chemokine receptor signalling. To this end, we have applied novel imaging techniques for the study of these events, mainly two photon microscopy (2PM) in combination with quantum dot (QD) technology. Our results uncover the possibilities and pitfalls of the use of this novel technology, and highlight the usefulness of QDs for specific applications.