We thank Drs. Robert Bonneau and Neil Christensen for helpful comments.	
This work was supported by Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine funds.

1. Isolation of T Cells from Spleen and Lymph Nodes of BDC2.5 Mice
<ol>
	<li>Use 6-week-old pre-diabetic female BDC2.5 mice as donors of diabetogenic CD4+ T cells. Mice should be diabetes-free as determined by urine glucose measurement (see below).</li>
	<li>Euthanize each mouse using CO2 asphyxiation and remove the spleen, axillary and brachial lymph nodes under sterile conditions. To remove the spleen, soak the fur with 70% ethanol, then cut and retract skin. The spleen will be visible as a dark red organ on the left side of the mouse. Make a 1-inch incision in the peritoneum using the small scissors and gently grasp the spleen in the center with a pair of small tweezers. Carefully trim the connective tissue and attached fat as much as possible and remove the spleen.</li>
	<li>Collect the spleens and lymph nodes in 10 ml Dulbecco's-Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) in a 15 ml conical tube on ice.</li>
	<li>Prepare a single cell suspension by using the end of a sterile 10 ml syringe plunger to gently press the lymphoid organs through 70 &mu;m cell strainers (one spleen per strainer and 4-6 lymph nodes per strainer) into the same 50 ml conical tube.</li>
</ol>
During the process, rinse each strainer with 1 ml DMEM several times to maximize the recovery of cells from the strainer.
<ol start="5">
	<li>Transfer the collected cells from the 50 ml conical tube into a 15 ml conical tube and centrifuge at 300-400 x g for 7 min at RT.</li>
	<li>To lyse red blood cells, discard the supernatant, re-suspend the cells in 5 ml Ammonium-Chloride-Potassium (ACK) buffer (pH 7.2), and incubate the ACK-cell suspension at RT for 5 min.</li>
	<li>Add 10 ml of DMEM to the ACK-cell suspension and centrifuge the tube as above. Wash the cell pellet once in 10 ml DMEM.</li>
</ol>
2. Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells from BDC2.5 Mice
<ol>
	<li>Re-suspend cells in 5 ml FACS staining buffer and count the number of viable cells (using a phase contrast microscope and a hemocytometer) by trypan blue dye exclusion.</li>
	<li>Using FACS buffer, adjust the cell suspension volume to 5 x 107 cells/ml. Remove ~1 x 106 cells per staining control (1 no stain, 3 single stains). Stain the sample for non-activated transgenic CD4+ T cells with anti-CD4 (APC), anti-TCR V&beta;4 (FITC) and anti-CD62L (PE) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in a 15 ml tube. Perform cell staining using the mAb concentrations suggested by the manufacturer for 20-30 min at 4 &deg;C in the dark.</li>
	<li>Wash the sample and single stain controls with FACS buffer at &gt;3X the staining reaction volume. Centrifuge the tube at 300-400 x g, remove the supernatant, and re-suspend the cells in FACS buffer (1-2 x 107 cells/ml for sorting sample and 300 &mu;l for single stain controls) and store on ice until the next step.</li>
	<li>Pass the cell sample through a 35 &mu;m cell strainer cap tube to remove cell clumps. Sort the samples for CD4+TCR V&beta;4+CD62L+ cells on a cell sorter with a trained operator. Collect the sorted cells into 3 ml DMEM in a 15 ml tube. Allow 2.5-3 hr, including setup, to sort 1.5 x 108 cells (the approximate number of cells obtained from 3 donor mice) at a sort rate of 2 x 104 total events/sec. Expect ~2.5 x 106 non-activated transgenic CD4+ T cells per mouse after cell sorting.</li>
	<li>Record the absolute number of sorted cells at the end of the sort and centrifuge them for 7 min at 300-400 x g. Discard the supernatant and re-suspend the cells (2 x 106 cells/ml) in sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (Mg2+/Ca2+ free) for the adoptive T cell transfer.</li>
</ol>
3. Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells from BDC2.5 Mice
<ol>
	<li>Using a 1 ml syringe and an 18-1&frac12; gauge needle, gently re-suspend the FACS-purified CD4+ T cells and load the 1 ml syringe. In preparation for injection, replace the 18-1&frac12; gauge needle with a 27&frac12; gauge needle.</li>
	<li>Expose 6-8 week-old female NOD.SCID recipient mice to a heating lamp until they exhibit grooming behavior.</li>
	<li>Restrain recipient mice in a restrainer and wipe their tail with 70% (v/v) ethanol to disinfect the injection site.</li>
	<li>Inject 1-2 x 106 FACS sorted cells/mouse (in up to 500 &mu;l PBS) into either of the lateral tail veins.</li>
</ol>
Do not force the plunger. If the needle is located appropriately in the vein, the injection will take place with almost no resistance.
4. Monitoring Recipient Mice for Hyperglycemia and T1D
<ol>
	<li>Beginning five days after the T cell transfer, NOD.SCID recipient mice are monitored daily for elevated urine glucose using reagent strips (Bayer Diastix) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Mice with two consecutive urine glucose readings &gt;250 mg/dl are considered diabetic.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Makino, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Breeding+of+a+non-obese,+diabetic+strain+of+mice.">Breeding of a non-obese, diabetic strain of mice.</a> Jikken Dobutsu. 29, 1-13 (1980).</li><li>van Belle, T. L., Coppieters, K. T., von Herrath, M. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Type+1+diabetes:+etiology,+immunology,+and+therapeutic+strategies.">Type 1 diabetes: etiology, immunology, and therapeutic strategies.</a> Physiol. Rev. 91, 79-118 (2011).</li><li>Delovitch, T. L., Singh, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+nonobese+diabetic+mouse+as+a+model+of+autoimmune+diabetes:+immune+dysregulation+gets+the+NOD.">The nonobese diabetic mouse as a model of autoimmune diabetes: immune dysregulation gets the NOD.</a> Immunity. 7, 727-738 (1997).</li><li>Wicker, L. S., Miller, B. J., Mullen, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transfer+of+autoimmune+diabetes+mellitus+with+splenocytes+from+nonobese+diabetic+(NOD)+mice.">Transfer of autoimmune diabetes mellitus with splenocytes from nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice.</a> Diabetes. 35, 855-860 (1986).</li><li>Bendelac, A., Carnaud, C., Boitard, C., Bach, J. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Syngeneic+transfer+of+autoimmune+diabetes+from+diabetic+NOD+mice+to+healthy+neonates.+Requirement+for+both+L3T4++and+Lyt-2++T+cells.">Syngeneic transfer of autoimmune diabetes from diabetic NOD mice to healthy neonates. Requirement for both L3T4+ and Lyt-2+ T cells.</a> J. Exp. Med. 166, 823-833 (1987).</li><li>Haskins, K., McDuffie, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acceleration+of+diabetes+in+young+NOD+mice+with+a+CD4++islet-specific+T+cell+clone.">Acceleration of diabetes in young NOD mice with a CD4+ islet-specific T cell clone.</a> Science. 249, 1433-1436 (1990).</li><li>Christianson, S. W., Shultz, L. D., Leiter, E. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adoptive+transfer+of+diabetes+into+immunodeficient+NOD-scid/scid+mice.+Relative+contributions+of+CD4++and+CD8++T-cells+from+diabetic+versus+prediabetic+NOD.NON-Thy-1a+donors.">Adoptive transfer of diabetes into immunodeficient NOD-scid/scid mice. Relative contributions of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from diabetic versus prediabetic NOD.NON-Thy-1a donors.</a> Diabetes. 42, 44-55 (1993).</li><li>Wicker, L. S., Todd, J. A., Peterson, L. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+control+of+autoimmune+diabetes+in+the+NOD+mouse.">Genetic control of autoimmune diabetes in the NOD mouse.</a> Annual Reviews in Immunology. 13, 179-200 (1995).</li><li>Serreze, D. V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MHC+class+I-mediated+antigen+presentation+and+induction+of+CD8++cytotoxic+T-cell+responses+in+autoimmune+diabetes-prone+NOD+mice.">MHC class I-mediated antigen presentation and induction of CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell responses in autoimmune diabetes-prone NOD mice.</a> Diabetes. 45, 902-908 (1996).</li><li>Milton, M. J., Poulin, M., Mathews, C., Piganelli, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation,+maintenance,+and+adoptive+transfer+of+diabetogenic+T-cell+lines/clones+from+the+nonobese+diabetic+mouse.">Generation, maintenance, and adoptive transfer of diabetogenic T-cell lines/clones from the nonobese diabetic mouse.</a> Methods Mol. Med. 102, 213-225 (2004).</li><li>Kurrer, M. O., Pakala, S. V., Hanson, H. L., Katz, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Beta+cell+apoptosis+in+T+cell-mediated+autoimmune+diabetes.">Beta cell apoptosis in T cell-mediated autoimmune diabetes.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94, 213-218 (1997).</li><li>Amrani, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Perforin-independent+beta-cell+destruction+by+diabetogenic+CD8(+)+T+lymphocytes+in+transgenic+nonobese+diabetic+mice.">Perforin-independent beta-cell destruction by diabetogenic CD8(+) T lymphocytes in transgenic nonobese diabetic mice.</a> J. Clin. Invest. 103, 1201-1209 (1999).</li><li>Dobbs, C., Haskins, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+a+T+cell+clone+and+of+T+cells+from+a+TCR+transgenic+mouse:+TCR+transgenic+T+cells+specific+for+self-antigen+are+atypical.">Comparison of a T cell clone and of T cells from a TCR transgenic mouse: TCR transgenic T cells specific for self-antigen are atypical.</a> J. Immunol. 166, 2495-2504 (2001).</li><li>Haskins, K., Portas, M., Bradley, B., Wegmann, D., Lafferty, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=T-lymphocyte+clone+specific+for+pancreatic+islet+antigen.">T-lymphocyte clone specific for pancreatic islet antigen.</a> Diabetes. 37, 1444-1448 (1988).</li><li>Katz, J. D., Wang, B., Haskins, K., Benoist, C., Mathis, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Following+a+diabetogenic+T+cell+from+genesis+through+pathogenesis.">Following a diabetogenic T cell from genesis through pathogenesis.</a> Cell. 74, 1089-1100 (1993).</li><li>Stadinski, B. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chromogranin+A+is+an+autoantigen+in+type+1+diabetes.">Chromogranin A is an autoantigen in type 1 diabetes.</a> Nat. Immunol. 11, 225-231 (2010).</li><li>Luhder, F., Chambers, C., Allison, J. P., Benoist, C., Mathis, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pinpointing+when+T+cell+costimulatory+receptor+CTLA-4+must+be+engaged+to+dampen+diabetogenic+T+cells.">Pinpointing when T cell costimulatory receptor CTLA-4 must be engaged to dampen diabetogenic T cells.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97, 12204-12209 (2000).</li><li>Tang, Q., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro-expanded+antigen-specific+regulatory+T+cells+suppress+autoimmune+diabetes.">In vitro-expanded antigen-specific regulatory T cells suppress autoimmune diabetes.</a> J. Exp. Med. 199, 1455-1465 (2004).</li><li>Calderon, B., Suri, A., Pan, X. O., Mills, J. C., Unanue, E. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=IFN-gamma-dependent+regulatory+circuits+in+immune+inflammation+highlighted+in+diabetes.">IFN-gamma-dependent regulatory circuits in immune inflammation highlighted in diabetes.</a> J. Immunol. 181, 6964-6974 (2008).</li><li>Shultz, L. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiple+defects+in+innate+and+adaptive+immunologic+function+in+NOD/LtSz-scid+mice.">Multiple defects in innate and adaptive immunologic function in NOD/LtSz-scid mice.</a> J. Immunol. 154, 180-191 (1995).</li><li>Waldner, H., Sobel, R. A., Price, N., Kuchroo, V. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+autoimmune+diabetes+locus+Idd9+regulates+development+of+type+1+diabetes+by+affecting+the+homing+of+islet-specific+T+cells.">The autoimmune diabetes locus Idd9 regulates development of type 1 diabetes by affecting the homing of islet-specific T cells.</a> J. Immunol. 176, 5455-5462 (2006).</li><li>Verdaguer, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spontaneous+autoimmune+diabetes+in+monoclonal+T+cell+nonobese+diabetic+mice.">Spontaneous autoimmune diabetes in monoclonal T cell nonobese diabetic mice.</a> J. Exp. Med. 186, 1663-1676 (1997).</li><li>Thomas, D. C., Mellanby, R. J., Phillips, J. M., Cooke, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+early+age-related+increase+in+the+frequency+of+CD4++Foxp3++cells+in+BDC2.5NOD+mice.">An early age-related increase in the frequency of CD4+ Foxp3+ cells in BDC2.5NOD mice.</a> Immunology. 121, 565-576 (2007).</li><li>Prochazka, M., Gaskins, H. R., Shultz, L. D., Leiter, E. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+nonobese+diabetic+scid+mouse:+model+for+spontaneous+thymomagenesis+associated+with+immunodeficiency.">The nonobese diabetic scid mouse: model for spontaneous thymomagenesis associated with immunodeficiency.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 3290-3294 (1992).</li></ol>

All mice were housed at the Penn State College of Medicine specific pathogen-free (SPF) facility in accordance with the guidelines of the Penn State Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.	
The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

T1D can be induced in recipient mice at varying efficiencies by adoptive transfer of whole spleen cells or T cell subsets from diabetic NOD mice or mice transgenic for TCRs derived from diabetogenic T cell clones. We report herein a reproducible method to induce T1D in recipient mice within two weeks at 100% incidence by transferring FACS-purified CD62L+ BDC2.5 transgenic CD4+ T cells into NOD.SCID mice.
Specific advantages of the BDC2.5 T cell transfer model described here include the very short induction time of T1D compared to months for spontaneous diabetes and up to several weeks for diabetes transfer by diabetogenic T cell subsets or T cell clones. In addition, due to their homogeneity, only small numbers of purified BDC2.5 transgenic T cells are required to transfer T1D with high efficiency and consistency. In contrast to some other T cell transfer methods, in vitro activation of transgenic BDC2.5 T cells prior to transfer is not necessary in our protocol. Another advantage of our monospecific T cell transfer method is that novel therapeutic strategies to intervene in the homing of islet antigen-specific T cell to the target organ can be investigated more selectively than with other protocols that transfer diabetes with heterogenous T cell populations.
A potential limitation of our method is that it is not suited to determine the contribution of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets in T1D pathogenesis because monospecific, diabetogenic CD4+ T cells are used to transfer diabetes.
In the absence of a FACS instrument, BDC2.5 transgenic T cells may be isolated by column-purification using PE-labeled anti-TCR V&beta;4 mAb and anti-PE magnetic beads followed by CD4+CD62L+ magnetic beads (Miltenyi).
It should be noted that FACS-purified, as well as column-purified T cells, will include a minor population of CD4+ T cells that do not express the transgenic TCR due to incomplete allelic exclusion of endogenous TCR genes15. The purified T cell fraction may also include CD4+CD25+ Treg cells that may suppress T1D development in recipients. Since both T cell populations have been reported to increase in BDC2.5 mice with age, we recommend using BDC2.5 mice that are not older than 6 weeks22,23. CD4+CD25+ Treg cells can alternatively be excluded from BDC2.5 T cells by FACS-sorting or separation with CD4+CD25+ magnetic beads (Miltenyi) in older BDC2.5 mice.
Alternatively, or in addition to T1D monitoring by urine glucose measurements, blood glucose levels can be determined more accurately in recipient mice using a handheld glucometer.
Critical steps within this protocol include the age of BDC2.5 donor and NOD.SCID recipient mice. Using young BDC2.5 mice (6 weeks) will ensure that they are diabetes-free and that the frequency of both endogenous non-transgenic T cells and Treg cells are low, as pointed out above. It is also important to use young (&lt;12 weeks) NOD.SCID mice as recipient mice because this strain is prone to developing thymomas that manifest themselves after 20 weeks of age24 and may confound T1D development following adoptive T cell transfer.
Future applications of the described method include investigation in CD4 T cell-mediated mechanisms of T1D pathogenesis and novel strategies to intervene selectively in disease induction, which is not feasible in humans.

The NOD mouse develops autoimmune diabetes spontaneously and has been widely used as an animal model for human T1D1,2. Pathogenesis of T1D in NOD mice is characterized by infiltration, beginning at 3-4 weeks of age, of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans by dendritic cells and macrophages, followed by T and B cells. This phase of non-destructive peri-insulitis leads to a slow, progressive destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic &beta; cells, resulting in overt diabetes by 4-6 months of age3. Transfer of splenocytes4,5, CD4+6,7 or CD8+8,9 T cells from diabetic NOD mice have been shown to mediate diabetes in immunocompromised NOD mice, indicating that islet-reactive T cells play a central role in T1D pathogenesis. Depending on the experimental conditions, diabetes developed in recipient mice slowly, over several weeks in these studies. Similarly, various T cell clones, derived by time-consuming and costly culturing of diabetogenic T cells, have been reported to mediate diabetes several weeks after transfer into recipient mice7,10. With the availability of transgenic mice expressing TCRs derived from CD4- or CD8-restricted diabetogenic T cell clones, several laboratories have subsequently shown that splenic T cells from such mice were able to transfer diabetes to recipients11-13. Specifically, BDC2.5 NOD mice are transgenic for the BDC2.5 TCR, which is specific for chromogranin A, a protein in pancreatic beta cells14-16. Transfer of in vitro-activated or un-activated whole or fractionated spleen cells from overtly diabetic or prediabetic BDC2.5 mice transferred diabetes to neonatal or immunodeficient NOD mice at varying efficiencies11,17-19.
We describe a simple method that utilizes purified transgenic CD4+ T cells from pre-diabetic BDC2.5 mice to induce T1D in recipient mice at high efficiency and consistency. Large numbers of naive, islet antigen-specific CD4+ T cells are isolated from these mice by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for CD4+CD62L+ T cells expressing the transgenic TCR V&beta;4 chain. Purified transgenic T cells are then transferred without activation into NOD.SCID mice, which lack functional T and B cells and are insulitis- and diabetes-free20. The recipient mice are monitored for elevated concentrations of urine glucose indicating T1D, which develops rapidly within two weeks after the T cell transfer.
In contrast to other methods that transfer diabetogenic T cells with heterogenous specificities, our protocol uses FACS-sorted CD4+ T cells that almost exclusively express the diabetogenic BDC2.5 TCR. Due to their homogeneity, only small numbers of transferred T cells (~1x106 cells/mouse) are required for rapid T1D development within 2 weeks at 100% incidence. Another advantage of our protocol is that irradiation of recipient mice is not necessary as it is for some other methods. A potential limitation of this method is that it does not allow the investigation into the contribution of both CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets or specifically CD8 T cells in diabetes.
The described protocol will be useful for studying rapid T1D development, mediated by na&iuml;ve, monospecific CD4+ T cells, as well as therapeutic strategies to intervene in homing of islet antigen-specific Th cells to the target organ.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of Reagent/Material</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BDC 2.5 TCR transgenic NOD mice (NOD.Cg-Tg(Tcr&alpha;BDC 2.5, Tcr&beta;BDC 2.5)</td>
			<td>JAX</td>
			<td>004460</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NOD.SCID mice (NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/J)</td>
			<td>JAX</td>
			<td>001303</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM)</td>
			<td>Themo Scientific</td>
			<td>SH30022.01</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bayer Diastix</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AM2803</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15 ml conical tubes</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>352095</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 ml conical tubes</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>352070</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile surgical tweezers</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile small pair scissors</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile large pair scissors</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>70 &mu;m cell strainers</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22363548</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>35 &mu;m cell strainer cap tubes</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>352235</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ammonium-Chloride-Potassium (ACK) buffer</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>0.15 M NH4Cl, 1 mM KHCO3, 0.1 mM Na2EDTA, pH 7.2 in dH2O</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BD FACSFlowTM sheath fluid</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>342003</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FACS staining buffer</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>PBS, 0.2 mM EDTA, 0.5% BSA/FCS, filter sterilized</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phase contrast microscope</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypan blue</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hemocytometer</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-CD4 (APC) mAb</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>1005616</td>
			<td>clone RM4-5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-TCR V&beta;4 (FITC) mAb</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>553365</td>
			<td>clone KT4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-CD62L (PE) mAb</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>553151</td>
			<td>clone MEL-14</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell sorter</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>e.g. BD FACSAria III</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heat lamp</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse restrainer</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 ml syringes</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>309602</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>18-1&frac12; gauge needles (sterile)</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>305196</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>27&frac12; gauge needles (sterile)</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>305109</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

accelerated type 1 diabetes induction in mice by adoptive transfer of diabetogenic cd4+ t cells

The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse spontaneously develops autoimmune diabetes after 12 weeks of age and is the most extensively studied animal model of human Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Cell transfer studies in irradiated recipient mice have established that T cells are pivotal in T1D pathogenesis in this model. We describe herein a simple method to rapidly induce T1D by adoptive transfer of purified, primary CD4+ T cells from pre-diabetic NOD mice transgenic for the islet-specific T cell receptor (TCR) BDC2.5 into NOD.SCID recipient mice. The major advantages of this technique are that isolation and adoptive transfer of diabetogenic T cells can be completed within the same day, irradiation of the recipients is not required, and a high incidence of T1D is elicited within 2 weeks after T cell transfer. Thus, studies of pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions in T1D can proceed at a faster rate than with methods that rely on heterogenous T cell populations or clones derived from diabetic NOD mice.

Our results show the isolation of transgenic BDC2.5 cells expressing CD62L, which is critical for T cells to home to secondary lymphoid organs such as pancreatic lymph nodes. Our findings further demonstrate the potent ability of this monospecific T cell population to transfer rapidly and efficiently T1D to NOD.SCID recipient mice.
Isolation of diabetogenic CD4+ T cells from BDC2.5 mice is shown in Figure 2. Approximately 5 x 107 cells from pooled spleen and lymph nodes were obtained per donor mouse before cell sorting. Following the flow cytometric sort, ~2.5 x 106 naive transgenic CD4+ T cells (CD4+TCR V&beta;4+ CD62L+) were obtained from each BDC2.5 donor mouse by using the indicated gating strategy.
As expected, adoptive transfer of small numbers of CD4+TCR V&beta;4+CD62L+ cells (~1 x 106 cells/mouse) from BDC2.5 donor mice induced T1D in all NOD.SCID recipients (100% incidence) by day 11, as determined by elevated levels of urine glucose (Figure 3). In comparison, transfer of heterogeneous CD3+ BDC2.5 T cells required 3-5 fold more cells to induce T1D in 80% NOD.SCID recipients by 3 weeks 21.
These data demonstrate that adoptive transfer of small numbers of FACS-purified BDC2.5 transgenic CD4+CD62L+ T cells into NOD.SCID mice induced T1D more rapidly and efficiently.
<img alt="Figure 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/50389/50389fig1.jpg" /> 
 Figure 1. Sequence of experimental events. Spleen and lymph nodes were collected from BDC2.5 mice. Naive transgenic CD4+T cells (CD4+TCR V&beta;4+CD62L+) were isolated by FACS. T cells were re-suspended in PBS and injected intravenously into NOD.SCID recipients, which were subsequently monitored for elevated urine glucose indicating T1D.
<img alt="Figure 2" src="/files/ftp_upload/50389/50389fig2.jpg" /> 
 Figure 2. Gating strategy to sort CD4+TCR V&beta;4+CD62L+ spleen and lymph node-derived cells from BDC2.5 mice by FACS. A single-cell suspension of pooled spleens and lymph nodes was stained with fluorescently-labeled anti-CD4 (APC), anti-TCR V&beta;4 (FITC), and anti-CD62L (PE) mAb. The dot plot on the left shows the CD4+TCR V&beta;4+ cell population that was used to gate the CD62L+ cells, shown in the right dot plot. Boxed cells represent percentages of gated cell populations.
<img alt="Figure 3" src="/files/ftp_upload/50389/50389fig3.jpg" /> 
 Figure 3. Adoptive transfer of diabetogenic CD4+ T cells. FACS-isolated CD4+TCR V&beta;4+CD62L+ cells from BDC2.5 mice were intravenously injected (1.3 x 106 cells/mouse) into NOD.SCID recipient mice (n=5). Mice were monitored for T1D by measuring urine glucose concentrations in the recipients. Mice with two consecutive readings of &gt;250 mg/dl were considered diabetic.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes Induction in Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells at JoVE.com

Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes Induction in Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells

We provide a reproducible method to induce type 1 diabetes (T1D) in mice within two weeks by the adoptive transfer of islet antigen-specific, primary CD4+ T cells.

The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse spontaneously develops autoimmune diabetes after 12 weeks of age and is the most extensively studied animal model of ...

accelerated-type-1-diabetes-induction-mice-adoptive-transfer

Nanyang Technological University

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

16.6K Views.  Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. We provide a reproducible method to induce type 1 diabetes (T1D) in mice within two weeks by the adoptive transfer of islet antigen-specific, primary CD4+ T cells.

Video: Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes Induction in Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells

Experimental Metastasis and CTL Adoptive Transfer Immunotherapy Mouse Model

Experimental metastasis mouse model is a simple and yet physiologically relevant metastasis model. The tumor cells are injected intravenously (i.v) into mouse tail veins and colonize in the lungs, thereby, resembling the last steps of tumor cell spontaneous metastasis: survival in the circulation, extravasation and colonization in the distal organs. From a therapeutic point of view, the experimental metastasis model is the simplest and ideal model since the target of therapies is often the end point of metastasis: established metastatic tumor in the distal organ. In this model, tumor cells are injected i.v into mouse tail veins and allowed to colonize and grow in the lungs. Tumor-specific CTLs are then injected i.v into the metastases-bearing mouse. The number and size of the lung metastases can be controlled by the number of tumor cells to be injected and the time of tumor growth. Therefore, various stages of metastasis, from minimal metastasis to extensive metastasis, can be modeled. Lung metastases are analyzed by inflation with ink, thus allowing easier visual observation and quantification.

An experimental lung metastasis and CTL immunotherapy mouse model for analysis of tumor cells-T cell interaction in vivo.

Experimental metastasis mouse model is a simple and yet physiologically relevant metastasis model. The tumor cells are injected intravenously (i.v) into ...

Preparation and Use of HIV-1 Infected Primary CD4+ T-Cells as Target Cells in Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxic Assays

Natural killer (NK) cells are a vital component of the innate immune response to virus-infected cells. It is important to understand the ability of NK cells to recognize and lyse HIV-1 infected cells because identifying any aberrancy in NK cell function against HIV-infected cells could potentially lead to therapies that would enhance their cytolytic activity. There is a need to use HIV-infected primary T-cell blasts as target cells rather then infected-T-cell lines in the cytotoxicity assays. T-cell lines, even without infection, are quite susceptible to NK cell lysis. Furthermore, it is necessary to use autologous primary cells to prevent major histocompatibility complex class I mismatches between the target and effector cell that will result in lysis. Early studies evaluating NK cell cytolytic responses to primary HIV-infected cells failed to show significant killing of the infected cells 1,2. However, using HIV-1 infected primary T-cells as target cells in NK cell functional assays has been difficult due the presence of contaminating uninfected cells 3. This inconsistent infected cell to uninfected cell ratio will result in variation in NK cell killing between samples that may not be due to variability in donor NK cell function. Thus, it would be beneficial to work with a purified infected cell population in order to standardize the effector to target cell ratios between experiments 3,4. Here we demonstrate the isolation of a highly purified population of HIV-1 infected cells by taking advantage of HIV-1's ability to down-modulate CD4 on infected cells and the availability of commercial kits to remove dead or dying cells 3-6. The purified infected primary T-cell blasts can then be used as targets in either a degranulation or cytotoxic assay with purified NK cells as the effector population 5-7. Use of NK cells as effectors in a degranulation assay evaluates the ability of an NK cell to release the lytic contents of specialized lysosomes 8 called "cytolytic granules". By staining with a fluorochrome conjugated antibody against CD107a, a lysosomal membrane protein that becomes expressed on the NK cell surface when the cytolytic granules fuse to the plasma membrane, we can determine what percentage of NK cells degranulate in response to target cell recognition. Alternatively, NK cell lytic activity can be evaluated in a cytotoxic assay that allows for the determination of the percentage of target cells lysed by release of 51Cr from within the target cell in the presence of NK cells.

Cytotoxicity assays to measure natural killer cell lytic responses to HIV-infected cells is limited by the purity of the target cells. We demonstrate here the isolation of a highly purified population of HIV-1 infected primary T-cell blasts by taking advantage of HIV-1 s ability to down-modulate CD4.

 Natural killer (NK) cells are a vital component of the innate immune response to virus-infected cells. It is important to understand the ability of NK ...

Assessing the Innate Sensing of HIV-1 Infected CD4+ T Cells by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Using an Ex vivo Co-culture System.

HIV-1 innate sensing requires direct contact of infected CD4+ T cells with plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). In order to study this process, the protocols described here use freshly isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) to sense infections in either T cell line (MT4) or heterologous primary CD4+ T cells. In order to ensure proper sensing, it is essential that PBMC are isolated immediately after blood collection and that optimal percentage of infected T cells are used. Furthermore, multi-parametric flow cytometric staining can be used to confirm that PBMC samples contain the different cell lineages at physiological ratios. A number of controls can also be included to evaluate viability and functionality of pDCs. These include, the presence of specific surface markers, assessing cellular responses to known agonist of Toll-Like Receptors (TLR) pathways, and confirming a lack of spontaneous type-I interferon (IFN) production. In this system, freshly isolated PBMCs or pDCs are co-cultured with HIV-1 infected cells in 96 well plates for 18-22 hr. Supernatants from these co-cultures are then used to determine the levels of bioactive type-I IFNs by monitoring the activation of the ISGF3 pathway in HEK-Blue IFN-&#945;/&#946; cells. Prior and during co-culture conditions, target cells can be subjected to flow cytometric analysis to determine a number of parameters, including the percentage of infected cells, levels of specific surface markers, and differential killing of infected cells. Although, these protocols were initially developed to follow type-I IFN production, they could potentially be used to study other imuno-modulatory molecules released from pDCs and to gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms governing HIV-1 innate sensing.

Assessing the Innate Sensing of HIV-1 Infected CD4+ T Cells by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Using an Ex vivo Co-culture System.

Unlike cell-free HIV-1 particles, infected CD4+ T cells are effectively sensed by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). This manuscript describes a method where peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or isolated pDCs are co-cultured with HIV-1 infected T cells to evaluate innate sensing by pDCs as assessed by release of type-I IFN.

HIV-1 innate sensing requires direct contact of infected CD4+ T cells with plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). In order to study this process, the ...

Transplantation of Tail Skin to Study Allogeneic CD4 T Cell Responses in Mice

The study of T cell responses and their consequences during allo-antigen recognition requires a model that enables one to distinguish between donor and host T cells, to easily monitor the graft, and to adapt the system in order to answer different immunological questions. Medawar and colleagues established allogeneic tail-skin transplantation in mice in 1955. Since then, the skin transplantation model has been continuously modified and adapted to answer specific questions. The use of tail-skin renders this model easy to score for graft rejection, requires neither extensive preparation nor deep anesthesia, is applicable to animals of all genetic background, discourages ischemic necrosis, and permits chemical and biological intervention. 
In general, both CD4+ and CD8+ allogeneic T cells are responsible for the rejection of allografts since they recognize mismatched major histocompatibility antigens from different mouse strains. Several models have been described for activating allogeneic T cells in skin-transplanted mice. The identification of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules in different mouse strains including C57BL/6 mice was an important step toward understanding and studying T cell-mediated alloresponses. In the tail-skin transplantation model described here, a three-point mutation (I-Abm12) in the antigen-presenting groove of the MHC-class II (I-Ab) molecule is sufficient to induce strong allogeneic CD4+ T cell activation in C57BL/6 mice. Skin grafts from I-Abm12 mice on C57BL/6 mice are rejected within 12-15 days, while syngeneic grafts are accepted for up to 100 days. The absence of T cells (CD3-/- and Rag2-/- mice) allows skin graft acceptance up to 100 days, which can be overcome by transferring 2 x 104 wild type or transgenic T cells. Adoptively transferred T cells proliferate and produce IFN-&#947; in I-Abm12-transplanted Rag2-/- mice.

Tail-skin transplantation is a powerful model for studying T cell-dependent rejection and tolerance induction during allogeneic immune responses in mice. The advantages of this protocol are minor invasive surgery, and ease of monitoring with no need to sacrifice the recipient mouse.

The study of T cell responses and their consequences during allo-antigen recognition requires a model that enables one to distinguish between donor and ...

Generation of CAR T Cells for Adoptive Therapy in the Context of Glioblastoma Standard of Care

Adoptive T cell immunotherapy offers a promising strategy for specifically targeting and eliminating malignant gliomas. T cells can be engineered ex vivo to express chimeric antigen receptors specific for glioma antigens (CAR T cells). The expansion and function of adoptively transferred CAR T cells can be potentiated by the lymphodepletive and tumoricidal effects of standard of care chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We describe a method for generating CAR T cells targeting EGFRvIII, a glioma-specific antigen, and evaluating their efficacy when combined with a murine model of glioblastoma standard of care. T cells are engineered by transduction with a retroviral vector containing the anti-EGFRvIII CAR gene. Tumor-bearing animals are subjected to host conditioning by a course of temozolomide and whole brain irradiation at dose regimens designed to model clinical standard of care. CAR T cells are then delivered intravenously to primed hosts. This method can be used to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of CAR T cells in the context of standard of care.

The lymphodepletive and immunomodulatory effects of chemotherapy and radiation standard of care can be leveraged to enhance the antitumor efficacy of T cell immunotherapy. We outline a method for generating EGFRvIII-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and administering them in the context of glioblastoma standard of care.

Adoptive T cell immunotherapy offers a promising strategy for specifically targeting and eliminating malignant gliomas. T cells can be engineered ex vivo ...

Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice

There are many different animal models available for studying the pathogenesis of human inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), each with its own advantages and disadvantages. We describe here an experimental colitis model that is initiated by adoptive transfer of syngeneic splenic CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells into T and B cell deficient recipient mice. The CD4+CD45RBhigh T cell population that largely consists of na&#239;ve effector cells is capable of inducing chronic intestinal inflammation, closely resembling key aspects of human IBD. This method can be manipulated to study aspects of disease onset and progression. Additionally it can be used to study the function of innate, adaptive, and regulatory immune cell populations, and the role of environmental exposures, i.e., the microbiota, in intestinal inflammation. In this article we illustrate the methodology for inducing colitis with a step-by-step protocol. This includes a video demonstration of key technical aspects required to successfully develop this murine model of experimental colitis for research purposes.

Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice

Here, we present a protocol to induce colonic inflammation in mice by adoptive transfer of syngeneic CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells into T and B cell deficient recipients. Clinical and histopathological features mimic human inflammatory bowel diseases. This method allows the study of the initiation of colonic inflammation and progression of disease.

There are many different animal models available for studying the pathogenesis of human inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), each with its own advantages ...

Preparation of CD4+ T Cells for Analysis of GD3 and GD2 Ganglioside Membrane Expression by Microscopy

The methods described herein for activation of na&#239;ve CD4+ T cells in suspension and their adherence in coverslips for confocal microscopy analysis allow the spatial localization and visualization of gangliosides involved in CD4+ T cell activation, that complement expression profiling experiments such as flow cytometry, western blotting or real-time PCR. The quantification of ganglioside expression through flow cytometry and their cellular localization through microscopy can be obtained by the use of anti-ganglioside antibodies with high affinity and specificity. Nonetheless, an adequate handling of cells in suspension involves the treatment of culture plates to promote the necessary adherence required for fluorescence or confocal microscopy acquisition. In this work, we describe a protocol for determining GD3 and GD2 ganglioside expression and colocalization with the TCR during na&#239;ve CD4+ T cell activation. Also, real-time PCR experiments using &#60;40,000 cells are described for the determination of the GD3 and GM2/GD2 synthase genes, demonstrating that gene analysis experiments can be performed with a low number of cells and without the need of additional low input RNA kits.

Preparation of CD4+ T Cells for Analysis of GD3 and GD2 Ganglioside Membrane Expression by Microscopy

We describe a standard antibody staining protocol for use in microscopy to determine the membrane expression and localization of gangliosides in resting and activated human na&#239;ve CD4+ T cells. Also described are real-time PCR experiments using &#60;40,000 cells that do not require additional low input RNA kits.

The methods described herein for activation of na&#239;ve CD4+ T cells in suspension and their adherence in coverslips for confocal microscopy analysis ...

In Vitro Differentiation of Human CD4+FOXP3+ Induced Regulatory T Cells (iTregs) from Na&#239;ve CD4+ T Cells Using a TGF-&#946;-containing Protocol

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an integral part of peripheral tolerance, suppressing immune reactions against self-structures and thus preventing autoimmune diseases. Clinical approaches to adoptively transfer Tregs, or to deplete Tregs in cancer, are underway with promising first outcomes. 
Because the number of naturally occurring Tregs (nTregs) is very limited, studying certain Treg features using in vitro induced Tregs (iTregs) can be advantageous. To date, the best although not absolutely specific protein marker to delineate Tregs is the transcription factor FOXP3. Despite the importance of Tregs including non-redundant roles of peripherally induced Tregs, the protocols to generate iTregs are currently controversial, particularly for human cells. This protocol therefore describes the in vitro differentiation of human CD4+FOXP3+ iTregs from human na&#239;ve T cells using a range of Treg-inducing factors (TGF-&#946; plus IL-2 only, or their combination with retinoic acid, rapamycin or butyrate) in parallel. It also describes the phenotyping of these cells by flow cytometry and qRT-PCR. 
These protocols result in reproducible expression of FOXP3 and other Treg signature genes and enable the study of general FOXP3-regulatory mechanisms as well as protocol-specific effects to delineate the impact of certain factors. iTregs can be utilized to study various phenotypic aspects as well as molecular mechanisms of Treg induction. Detailed molecular studies are facilitated by relatively large cell numbers that can be obtained. 
A limitation for the application of iTregs is the relative instability of FOXP3 expression in these cells compared to nTregs. iTregs generated by these protocols can also be used for functional assays such as studying their suppressive function, in which iTregs induced by TGF-&#946; plus retinoic acid and rapamycin display superior suppressive activity. However, the suppressive capacity of iTregs can differ from nTregs and the use of appropriate controls is crucial.

This protocol describes the reproducible generation and phenotyping of human induced regulatory T cells (iTregs) from na&#239;ve CD4+ T cells in vitro. Different protocols for FOXP3 induction allow for the study of specific iTreg phenotypes obtained with respective protocols.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an integral part of peripheral tolerance, suppressing immune reactions against self-structures and thus preventing ...

Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-4

While it is recognized that aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-specific T cells and antibodies participate in the pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a human central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune demyelinating disease, creation of an AQP4-targeted model with both clinical and histologic manifestations of CNS autoimmunity has proven challenging. Immunization of wild-type (WT) mice with AQP4 peptides elicited T cell proliferation, although those T cells could not transfer disease to na&#239;ve recipient mice. Recently, two novel AQP4 T cell epitopes, peptide (p) 135-153 and p201-220, were identified when studying immune responses to AQP4 in AQP4-deficient (AQP4-/-) mice, suggesting T cell reactivity to these epitopes is normally controlled by thymic negative selection. AQP4-/- Th17 polarized T cells primed to either p135-153 or p201-220 induced paralysis in recipient WT mice, that was associated with predominantly leptomeningeal inflammation of the spinal cord and optic nerves. Inflammation surrounding optic nerves and involvement of the inner retinal layers (IRL) were manifested by changes in serial optical coherence tomography (OCT). Here, we illustrate the approaches used to create this new in vivo model of AQP4-targeted CNS autoimmunity (ATCA), which can now be employed to study mechanisms that permit development of pathogenic AQP4-specific T cells and how they may cooperate with B cells in NMO pathogenesis.

Here, we present a protocol to induce paralysis and opticospinal inflammation by transfer of aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-specific T cells from AQP4-/- mice into WT mice. In addition, we demonstrate how to use serial optical coherence tomography to monitor visual system dysfunction.

While it is recognized that aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-specific T cells and antibodies participate in the pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a human ...

Stereotactic Adoptive Transfer of Cytotoxic Immune Cells in Murine Models of Orthotopic Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Xenografts

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most frequent and aggressive primary brain cancer in adults, is generally associated with a poor prognosis, and scarce efficient therapies have been proposed over the last decade. Among the promising candidates for designing novel therapeutic strategies, cellular immunotherapies have been targeted to eliminate highly invasive and chemo-radioresistant tumor cells, likely involved in a rapid and fatal relapse of this cancer. Thus, administration(s) of allogeneic GBM-reactive immune cell effectors, such as human V&#978;9V&#948;2 T lymphocytes, in the vicinity of the tumor would represents a unique opportunity to deliver efficient and highly concentrated therapeutic agents directly into the site of brain malignancies. Here, we present a protocol for the preparation and the stereotaxic administration of allogeneic human lymphocytes in immunodeficient mice carrying orthotopic human primary brain tumors. This study provides a preclinical proof-of-concept for both the feasibility and the antitumor efficacy of these cellular immunotherapies that rely on stereotactic injections of allogeneic human lymphocytes within intrabrain tumor beds.

Here, we present a protocol for the preparation and the stereotaxic administration of allogeneic human lymphocytes in immunodeficient mice carrying orthotopic human primary brain tumors. This study provides a proof-of-concept for both the feasibility and the antitumor efficacy of intrabrain-delivered cellular immunotherapies.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most frequent and aggressive primary brain cancer in adults, is generally associated with a poor prognosis, and scarce ...