| First Author | Walsh SM | Year | 2021 |
| Journal | Elife | Volume | 10 |
| PubMed ID | 33843587 | Mgi Jnum | J:353192 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6812239 | Doi | 10.7554/eLife.62781 |
| Citation | Walsh SM, et al. (2021) Molecular tracking devices quantify antigen distribution and archiving in the murine lymph node. Elife 10 |
| abstractText | The detection of foreign antigens in vivo has relied on fluorescent conjugation or indirect read-outs such as antigen presentation. In our studies, we found that these widely used techniques had several technical limitations that have precluded a complete picture of antigen trafficking or retention across lymph node cell types. To address these limitations, we developed a 'molecular tracking device' to follow the distribution, acquisition, and retention of antigen in the lymph node. Utilizing an antigen conjugated to a nuclease-resistant DNA tag, acting as a combined antigen-adjuvant conjugate, and single-cell mRNA sequencing, we quantified antigen abundance in the lymph node. Variable antigen levels enabled the identification of caveolar endocytosis as a mechanism of antigen acquisition or retention in lymphatic endothelial cells. Thus, these molecular tracking devices enable new approaches to study dynamic tissue dissemination of antigen-adjuvant conjugates and identify new mechanisms of antigen acquisition and retention at cellular resolution in vivo. |
