[Development of a CFSE-based flow cytometry for evaluating EIAV-stimulated proliferation of T lymphocytes].

Aim: To develop a flow cytometry using (5-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinmidyl ester, CFSE) to detect the proliferation of specific T lymphocytes from equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV).

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated, stained with CFSE and incubated with EIAV for 5 days. After interacted with either CD4(+) or CD8(+) antibody, the cells were detected for proliferated population, which contained serially 2-fold reduced CFSE in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes.

Results: The concentration of CFSE, and the type, concentration and reaction time of EIAV-specific antigens were tested and optimized to improve the sensitivity and specificity of this flow cytometry-based assay. PBMCs isolated from the horses infected with either virulent or vaccine strains of EIAV and health controls were analyzed to evaluate this technique. The proliferation rates of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes were observed in the cells from differently treated horses.

Conclusion: The CFSE-based flow cytometry is a reliable tool to analyze antigen-specific proliferation of lymphocytes, which plays an important role in evaluating the immune responses induced by EIAV and other viruses.