{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Accessing Early Differentiation of Virus-Specific Follicular Helper CD4+ T Cell in Acute LCMV-Infected Mice.
{Author}: Lin Y;Yue S;Yang Y;He J;Yang X;Ye L;Chen X;
{Journal}: J Vis Exp
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 206
{Year}: 2024 Apr 26
{Factor}: 1.424
{DOI}: 10.3791/66752
{Abstract}: Follicular Helper T (TFH) cells are perceived as an independent CD4+ T cell lineage that assists cognate B cells in producing high-affinity antibodies, thus establishing long-term humoral immunity. During acute viral infection, the fate commitment of virus-specific TFH cells is determined in the early infection phase, and investigations of the early-differentiated TFH cells are crucial in understanding T cell-dependent humoral immunity and optimizing vaccine design. In the study, using a mouse model of acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection and the TCR-transgenic SMARTA (SM) mouse with CD4+ T cells specifically recognizing LCMV glycoprotein epitope I-AbGP66-77, we described procedures to access the early fate commitment of virus-specific TFH cells based on flow cytometry stainings. Furthermore, by exploiting retroviral transduction of SM CD4+ T cells, methods to manipulate gene expression in early-differentiated virus-specific TFH cells are also provided. Hence, these methods will help in studies exploring the mechanism(s) underlying the early commitment of virus-specific TFH cells.