The use of carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester to determine the site, duration and cell type responsible for antigen presentation in vivo

This report examines the use of 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succ inimidyl ester (CFSE) to determine the site, duration and cell type respons ible for antigen presentation in vivo. Evidence that CFSE-labelled T cells can be used to determine where various types of antigens are presented, inc luding auto-antigens, oral antigens and cell-associated foreign antigens, i s provided. Using this technique, the length of time antigen is presented a fter acquisition by APC was measured. Finally, CFSE labelling was used to i dentify the origin of the APC responsible for different forms of antigen pr esentation.