Age Associated Changes in the Distribution of Ipr Gene-Induced B220-Positive T Cells in Lymphoid Organs of MRL/Mp-Ipr/Ipr Mice Using Dual Exposure Microphotographs of Double Immunofluorescence Staining

Homozygous MRL/Mp-1pr/1pr (MRL/1pr) mice, which have an autosomal recessive mutant 1pr gene and exhibit defects in Fas antigen, spontaneously develop autoimmune disease with progressive expansion and accumulation of characteristic abnormal CD4-CD8-double negative T cells that express B220 surface antigen, a B cell-specific surface marker in normal mice. We analyzed the distribution and age related changes of lpr gene-induced abnormal T cells (B220-positive lpr T cells) In the lymphoid organs of MRL/1pr mice. We studied cryostat sections of the spleen, peripheral lymph nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes, and Peyer's patches at different stages using FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)-conjugated monoclonal antibodies directed against B220 (RA3-6B2) and PE (phycoerythrin)-conjugated anti-mouse CD3 (2C11) monoclonal antibody, examining dual-exposure microphotographs of double-immunofluorescence stained preparations. We observed that in aged MRL/lpr mice, B220-positive abnormal 1pr T cells were not present in the thymus-dependent area, and the majority of the follicular area cells were displaced by 1pr T cells. These findings suggest that the cellular trafficking of B220-positive lpr T cells differs from that of conventional T cells and that these 1pr-derived T cells play a role in the follicle.