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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2019 Sep 21.
Published in final edited form as: Cell Rep. 2019 Mar 12;26(11):2859–2867.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.02.034

Interstitial migration of CD8αβ T cells in the small intestine is dynamic and is dictated by environmental cues

Emily A Thompson 1,2, Jason S Mitchell 2,3, Lalit K Beura 1,2, David Torres 5, Paulus Mrass 6, Mark J Pierson 2,3, Judy L Cannon 6, David Masopust 1,2, Brian T Fife 2,4, Vaiva Vezys 1,2,*
PMCID: PMC6754515  NIHMSID: NIHMS1024456  PMID: 30865878

Summary

The migratory capacity of adaptive CD8αβ T cells dictates their ability to locate target cells and exert cytotoxicity, which is the basis of immune-surveillance for containment of microbes and disease. The small intestine (SI) is the largest mucosal surface and is a primary site of pathogen entrance. Using two-photon laser scanning microscopy, we found that motility of antigen (Ag)-specific CD8αβ T cells in the SI is dynamic and varies with the environmental milieu. Pathogen-specific CD8αβ T cell movement differed throughout infection, becoming locally confined at memory. Motility was not dependent on CD103 but was influenced by micro-anatomical locations within the SI and by inflammation. CD8 T cells responding to self-protein were initially affected by the presence of self-Ag, but this was altered after complete tolerance induction. These studies identify multiple factors that impact CD8αβ T cell movement in the intestinal mucosa and show the adaptability of CD8αβ T cell motility.

Introduction

The small intestine (SI) is the largest mucosal interface between the host and the outside environment and is the entry site for many microbes, which can quickly disseminate throughout the body. Therefore, evaluating immune cell surveillance in this compartment is of great interest. Many elegant studies have assessed the motility of unconventional and CD4 T cells in the SI, but the migratory behavior of adaptive CD8αβ T cells in this tissue is unknown (Edelblum et al., 2012; Hoytema van Konijnenburg et al., 2017; Sujino et al., 2016; Sumida et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2014; Xu et al., 2012). After systemic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection that broadly positions CD8 T cells throughout the mouse, there are only six Ag-specific CD8 resident memory T cells (TRM) found per every 1000 nucleated cells in the SI at a memory time point (Steinert et al., 2015). This, combined with the distinctive sub-anatomical features of the SI, creates a unique challenge for adequate patrolling of this tissue by CD8 T cells.

Using two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM), we show that CD8 T cell motility in the SI jejunum is dynamic and largely dependent on context, such as the stage of infection and inflammatory milieu. Furthermore, the physical location of CD8 T cells within anatomical compartments of the SI dictated their migratory behavior. Dissecting the motile behavior of CD8 T cells during the steady state and infection has broadened our knowledge of effective CD8 T cell immune-surveillance in the SI and informs the development of vaccines and treatments targeting pathogens or malignancies requiring CD8 T cell responses.

Results

Ag-specific CD8αβ T cell motility in the small intestine is dynamic during infection

To assess the motile behavior of CD8 T cells during infection, naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells, which recognize the gp33 epitope of LCMV, were transferred to B6 mice that were subsequently infected with LCMV (Figure S1A). At days 5, 8 and 30 after LCMV infection, P14-GFP CD8 T cells were detected in both the epithelium and lamina propria (LP) of the SI using flow cytometry (Figure S1B). At all time points, P14-GFP CD8 T cells in the villi of explanted jejunum were motile in three dimensions (Figures 1A and S1C, Movies S12). While P14-GFP CD8 intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) continuously probed the tissue, P14-GFP CD8 LP lymphocytes (LPL) exhibited a smooth, gliding motion along other cells (Movies S12). Interestingly, we observed P14 CD8 T cells moving between the epithelium and the lamina propria, which has been seen with γδ T cells (Sujino et al., 2016). Antigen-specific P14-GFP CD8 T cells were never observed “space walking”-i.e., traversing the lumen between villi. Occasionally, CD8 T cells traveled from villus to villus through the LP at the base of the villi near crypt-villi junctions (data not shown). Villi tilting during imaging was common and made quantification of cell movement between the epithelium and LP difficult, as well as delineating motility of T cells confined to those areas. Day 5 effector P14-GFP CD8 T cells moved at ~5μm/minute and, by day 8, their speed increased nearly 1.5-fold (Figures 1B and S1D, Movie S1). Effector T cells are large to keep up with cellular demands early after infection (4–8 days). We saw that T cells were most highly motile at day 8 following infection, even though they were quite large, indicating cell size did not hinder T cell locomotion. At memory, when most CD8 T cells become TRM, their speed was significantly slower than day 8 (Figures 1B and S1D, Movies S12). The migration of effector CD8 T cells was also assessed in an intact anesthetized mouse using an OT-I-GFP/VSV-OVA infection model and similar behaviors were observed (Movie S3).

Figure 1). Ag-specific CD8 T cell motility in the small intestine varies during LCMV infection.

Figure 1)

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice and infected with LCMV. (A) Cell tracks (orange) of P14-GFP CD8 T cells (cyan) in the villi (outlined in yellow dashed lines) of the jejunum at the indicated time points after LCMV infection in orthogonal (top) or perspective (bottom) presentation. Scale bar is 20μm (top) and 30μm (bottom). (B) Mean track speed, (C) flower plots of cell track displacements, (D) median turning angle, (E) confinement ratio, (F) Z-straightness, (G) volume scanned and (H) mean squared displacement (MSD) as a function of time of P14-GFP CD8 T cells in the villi at days 5 (magenta), 8 (blue), and 30 (green) after LCMV infection. Dots in motility graphs represent individual cells imaged. Data of motility parameters presented in bar graphs are derived from the same mouse at the time point indicated. Data are representative of 2 or more experiments with mice totaling n=4 for day 5, n=7 for day 8, and n=8 for day 30. A one-way ANOVA with Dunn’s multiple comparison test was performed to evaluate statistical significance. ****p=<0.0001, ***p=<0.0003, **p=0.006, and *p=0.01. All error bars are SD. See also Figure S1.

Normalizing T cell tracks to the same point of origin showed that early (day 5) and peak (day 8) effector CD8 T cell tracks were not constrained in any direction; however, TRM were restrained (Figure 1C). This was further verified by a greater median turning angle and lower confinement ratio of TRM compared to effector T cells (Figures 1DE and S1EF). The turning angle measures the angle at which a cell deviates from its direction of travel. A high turning angle indicates a cell is turning sharply while a lower turning angle indicates the cell is continuing in a similar direction of travel (less restricted). Confinement ratio measures the displacement of the cell divided by its path length. Displacement is a measurement of the shortest distance between an initial point to the final position. Therefore, cells with more restricted motility have a lower confinement ratio, as this indicates minimal displacement over a longer path length (Cahalan and Parker, 2008; Germain et al., 2012). We also assessed the “straightness” of cell tracks using a previously described Z-score metric which determines whether experimental displacement is less than (“confined tracks”) or higher than (“straight tracks”) what is expected by chance (Mrass et al., 2017). TRM tracks had the lowest Z-score of any time point measured, suggesting memory T cell motility is more constrained than effector P14 CD8 T cells (Figure 1F). Accordingly, memory T cells also scanned a significantly lower volume than did effector CD8 T cells in the SI and did not exhibit directed migration, as determined by mean squared displacement (MSD) (Figure 1GH). Taken together, these results suggest that, in contrast to effector CD8 T cells, memory CD8 T cells display markedly confined motility.

TRM migration in the small intestine is locally restricted and independent of CD103

Our imaging analysis showed that memory CD8 T cells scanned a smaller volume of tissue compared to effector CD8 T cells, which suggested that this may impact the efficiency of immune-surveillance in this tissue (Figure 1). To understand the surveillance requirement in a villus, we performed mathematical modeling based on our various assessed parameters for TRM movement. Our model estimated that it would take nearly 28 hours for 60 CD8 TRM to completely scan a single villus and approximately a month for a single TRM to do the same (Figures 2A and S2A). However, our experiments could not distinguish whether CD8 T cell populations are fixed in a particular location of the SI over time or whether there is migration of T cells between areas. To test this, we used the Kaede reporter mouse, that allows tracking of cells after in vivo labelling through photoconversion (Tomura et al., 2008). The establishment of OT-I/Kaede TRM was confirmed via parabiosis (Figure S2B). A piece of the ileum of OT-I/Kaede memory mice was surgically exteriorized and exposed to a 405nm light for photoconversion and the position of converted T cells was assessed after 1 or 7 days (Figures 2B and S2C). Photoconverted OT-I/Kaede IEL and LPL (Kaede-red) were present in the ileum of mice exposed to violet light, but remained undetectable in sham surgery controls. Very few (<1%) of converted OT-I/Kaede CD8 T cells were detected in the jejunum, duodenum, spleen or mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and no significant differences in frequency of converted cells were observed between 24 hours and 7 days (Figures 2CD and S2D). These data indicate that memory CD8 T cells in the SI are limited to surveying relatively narrow areas. In a separate experiment, TPLSM was performed on the ileum of OT-I/Kaede mice before and after conversion verifying that light exposure did not impact T cell motility (data not shown).

Figure 2). CD8 TRM have restricted locomotion in the small intestine.

Figure 2)

(A) Modeling of 60 P14 CD8 TRM scanning a single villus. Data shown are the time taken to scan the indicated portion of the villus by 60 P14. Error bars show the maximum and minimum volume patrolled over 100 simulations at a specific time. (B-D) A section of the ileum of OT-I/Kaede memory mice was exposed to 405nm light. One or 7 days later, portions of the SI were evaluated for converted OT-I/Kaede cells. (B) Unconverted (green) or converted (red) OT-I/Kaede T cells were visualized in the SI +/− light exposure. Scale bar is 20μm. (C) Flow cytometric analysis of OT-I/Kaede IEL and LPL in the indicated sections of the intestine 24 hours after conversion. Plots are gated on OT-I CD8 T cells. Sham surgery mice were used as unconverted controls. (D) Frequency of photoconverted cells (Kaede-red) in indicated locations 24 hours (filled) and day 7 (open) after conversion. A Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate significance. Data are representative of three experiments, n=10 mice. Error bars are SEM. (E-G) Naïve P14-GFP and P14/CD103−/−-CFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice and infected with LCMV. (E) Mean track speed, (F) median turning angle and (G) confinement ratio of P14-GFP and P14-CFP CD8 T cells at day 8 (blue), day 14 (purple) and day 30 (green). Filled circles=WT P14-GFP; open circles= P14/CD103−/−-CFP. Dots in motility graphs represent individual cells imaged. Data of motility parameters presented in bar graphs are derived from the same mouse at the time point indicated. Data are representative of 2 experiments with mice totaling n=5 for day 8, n=5 for day 14 and n=4 for day 30. A Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA with Dunn’s multiple comparison test was performed to evaluate statistical significance. ****p=<0.0001 and ***p=0.007. Error bars are SD. See also Figures S23.

We next wondered what was responsible for the confined motility of TRM in the SI. In both the skin and liver, CD8 T cell interactions with integrins have been shown to be important for T cell behavior (McNamara et al., 2017; Overstreet et al., 2013; Santamaria Babi et al., 1995). We speculated that CD103 interaction with E-cadherin might be responsible, as this is crucial for TRM maintenance in the epithelium of the SI and heightened expression of CD103 (along with CD69) upon memory formation correlated with restricted motility (Figures S3AB) (Casey et al., 2012). Surprisingly, no changes in motility were observed between CD103 sufficient and deficient P14 CD8 T cells at any time point (days 8, 14, 30) evaluated (Figures 2EG and S3CF, Movie S4). It was difficult to assess whether the absence of CD103 impacted intraepithelial migration and probing, as Hoechst dye could not be used due to spectral overlap and second harmonic generation (SHG) does not clearly distinguish between the lamina propria and epithelium. Similar results were observed with experiments using RGD peptides to block interactions between integrins and several components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) (data not shown). These results suggest that integrins do not contribute to TRM locomotion.

Small intestine tissue architecture dictates CD8 T cell motility

Tissue composition can affect CD8 T cell motility (Germain et al., 2012; Overstreet et al., 2013; Sorokin, 2010). We inquired whether the complex and unique tissue architecture of the SI could impact CD8 T cell interstitial migration. The SI can be divided into 4 unique layers: serosa, muscularis externa, submucosa and mucosa (Figure 3A) (Mowat and Agace, 2014; Wright et al., 1989). In the serosa and longitudinal muscle, P14-GFP CD8 T cells were elongated parallel to myocytes, while T cells in the less dense circular muscle maintained an amoeboid shape (Figures 3BC, Movies S56). At both days 5 and 8, P14-GFP CD8 T cells in the muscularis externa had shorter path lengths and were slower and more confined, as compared to CD8 T cells in the crypts (Figures 3DH, Movies S56). The volume scanned by P14-GFP CD8 T cells increased between day 5 and day 8 in both the serosa and the crypt, without a change in confinement measurements (Figure 3I). Remarkably, CD8 T cells in the crypt often orbited around its entire planar section. Alternatively, effector CD8 T cells in the serosa exhibited low Z-scores, indicating confined motile behavior (Figure 3J). TRM were nearly completely absent from the serosa and crypt, which suggests that P14 T cells are excluded from those compartments after LCMV infection subsides. Taken together, these results indicate that Ag-specific CD8 T cells in the SI rely on the immediate tissue architecture to influence their migratory pattern.

Figure 3). Tissue architecture dictates CD8 T cell motility in the small intestine.

Figure 3)

(A) Histological section of SI jejunum stained with E-cadherin (magenta), collagen IV (yellow) and CD31 (cyan). Scale bar is 75μm. (B) P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 and infected with LCMV. Five days post infection, P14-GFP CD8 T cells (cyan) in the serosa and muscularis externa were imaged using TPLSM. Hoechst stain (dark blue) was injected prior to imaging. (C) Fold change of length/width measurements of individual P14-GFP CD8 T cells in the serosa, longitudinal muscle and circular muscle at day 5 after LCMV. (D) Cell tracks (orange) of P14-GFP CD8 T cells (cyan) in the muscularis externa and serosa at days 5 and 8 after LCMV infection. (E) Same as in D, but in crypts of SI. Scale bars in B, D, E are 20μm. (F) Mean track speed, (G) median turning angle, (H) confinement ratio, (I) volume scanned and (J) Z-score of P14-GFP CD8 T cells at days 5 (magenta) and 8 (blue) after LCMV infection in the indicated locations of the SI. Dots in motility graphs represent individual cells imaged. Data of motility parameters for each specific experiment presented in bar graphs are derived from the same mouse at the time point indicated. Data are representative of at least 2 experiments with mice totaling n=4 for day 5 and n=5 for day 8 in the muscularis externa and n=5 for day 5 and n=7 for day 8 in the crypt. A Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA with Dunn’s multiple comparison test was performed to evaluate statistical significance. ****p=<0.0001, ***p=0.0003 **p=<0.003 and *p=<0.05. All error bars are SD.

Inflammation alters TRM patrolling behavior

Reports indicate inflammation can cause alterations to tissue architecture that can affect T cell migration (Hallmann et al., 2015; Mueller, Hosiawa-Meagher, et al., 2007; Mueller, Matloubian, et al., 2007; Zaid et al., 2014). Since we observed striking differences in motility based on the location of CD8 T cells within the SI, we wondered whether bystander inflammation could drive changes in TRM motility, possibly due to reorganization of the ECM. P14-GFP CD8 T cell memory mice received naive OT-I-CFP CD8 T cells and were orally infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis expressing ovalbumin (Yptb-OVA) (Figure 4A) (Bergsbaken and Bevan, 2015). At day 6 following Yptb-OVA infection, the speed of P14-GFP CD8 TRM was not altered by bystander inflammation; however, these T cells were less constrained as compared to the steady state: their turning angle was significantly decreased and the confinement ratio was slightly increased (Figures 4BD, S4AC, Movie S8). Effector OT-I-CFP T cells exhibited a migration pattern comparable to effector P14-GFP CD8 T cells following LCMV (Figures 4BD, Movie S8). While bystander inflammation has some impact on memory T cell motility, TRM do not match the motility of effector T cells in the very same inflammatory environment, suggesting some behaviors are antigen driven or cell intrinsic. We next tested the impact of acute inflammation on P14-GFP CD8 TRM behavior using LPS-induced endotoxemia. Interestingly, TRM became more restricted in comparison to steady state conditions, having a wider turning angle (Figures 4EG, S4DF, Movie S9). These results show that the motility of TRM in response to various types of inflammation is dynamic.

Figure 4). Bystander inflammation impacts CD8 TRM motility.

Figure 4)

(A-D) Memory P14-GFP mice received OT-I-CFP CD8 T cells and were orally infected with Yptb-OVA 1 day later. Cells were imaged in the jejunum 6 days later. (A) Experimental setup. (B) Mean track speed, (C) median turning angle and (D) confinement ratio of memory P14-GFP CD8 T during Yptb-OVA infection (green, open) and day 6 OT-I-CFP CD8 T cells (blue, filled), compared to steady state P14-GFP memory CD8 T cells (green, filled). Data are representative of at least 2 experiments totaling n=4 mice for experiments with Yptb-OVA and n=4 mice for experiments with memory at steady state. A Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA with Dunn’s multiple comparison test was performed to evaluate statistical significance. ****p=<0.0001, ***p=0.0002. (E-G) Memory P14-GFP mice were injected intraperitoneally with 4mg/kg LPS and imaged 4–5 hours later. (E) Mean track speed, (F) turning angle and (G) confinement ratio of P14-GFP CD8 T cells in the absence (green) or presence (purple) of LPS. Experiments are representative of n=4 memory+LPS mice and n=2 memory mice. Mann-Whitney tests were used to evaluate significance. ****p=<0.0001. (H-J) OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to iFABP-OVA mice and evaluated 5 days after transfer +/− Kb-SIINFEKL blocking antibody. (H) Mean track speed, (I) median turning angle and (J) confinement ratio of day 5 (magenta, filled) and day 5+blocking Ab (magenta, open) OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells. Data represent at least 2 experiments, n=3 mice without blocking and n=3 mice with blocking. Mann-Whitney tests were performed to evaluate statistical significance. ****p=<0.0001. All error bars are SD. In all graphs measuring motility, dots represent individual cells imaged. Data of motility parameters for each specific experiment presented in bar graphs are derived from the same mouse at the time point indicated. See also Figure S4.

As the SI is a portal of microbial entry, it needs to maintain active immune surveillance; however, it must also curtail inappropriate immune responses to self-protein, normal flora and food antigen (Konjar et al., 2017). We next addressed whether the motility of self-specific CD8 T cells would be impacted by the presence of auto-antigen in the SI. We used mice which produce ovalbumin under the control of the intestinal fatty acid binding protein promoter (iFABP-OVA) which limits OVA expression to mature enterocytes of the SI (Vezys et al., 2000). Five days after transfer, tolerant OT-I cells were detected in the lamina propria and the epithelium in large numbers and displayed slowed migration speed (~4μm/minute) with frequent arrests (Figures 4H and S4GL) (Pauken et al., 2015). Arrest was due to the presence of Ag, as blocking Kb-SIINFEKL complexes resulted in significantly increased mean track speed (Figure 4H, Movie S10). However, this did not impact other measurements of motility (Figures 4IJ, S4L, Movie S10). At day 10 following transfer, when tolerance is more established, OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells migrated at a two-fold higher speed in comparison to day 5 OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells and were not impacted when interactions with antigen were blocked (Figures S4GO). These data indicate that, as T cells fully differentiate to a tolerant state, they become incapable of antigenic interaction, which impacts their motility.

Discussion

The expansive and ever-changing milieu of the gut likely necessitates plastic and adaptable T cell motility to achieve effective immune-surveillance of this compartment. The constant balance between activation and suppression makes the SI perhaps the most dynamic immune environment in the host (Chistiakov et al., 2015; Cieza et al., 2012). We found that Ag-specific CD8 T cell motility in the SI varied greatly depending on the presence of Ag, the inflammatory context and the surrounding tissue architecture. Initial arrest of T cells at early time points after infection was likely due to TCR engagement with Ag, signaling the cell to slow down (Figures 1, S1) (Celli et al., 2011; Dustin et al., 1997). The increase in speed at day 8 may be to optimize T cell scanning once local Ag is cleared, as the volume scanned by P14 CD8 T cells was greatest at this time point in the crypts and villi (Müller et al., 2000). Similar observations have been made in many solid tumor models (Boissonnas et al., 2007; Breart et al., 2008; Mrass et al., 2006).

In contrast, CD8 TRM were highly confined, even given the need to survey such an expansive environment (Figures 1, S1). This was not observed in TRM found in the female reproductive tract or liver, where T cells are highly motile (Beura et al., 2018; Fernandez-Ruiz et al., 2016). While we suspected that the CD103 integrin may be responsible for this restricted T cell behavior at memory time points in the SI, the loss of CD103 in P14 CD8 T cells had surprisingly no impact on T cell locomotion (Figures 2EG, S3CF). It is likely that the architecture of the SI supersedes targeted motility, e.g. the most direct route from one point to another may be by “space walking” across the intestinal lumen, which we did not observe. To this point, CD8 T cells were confined to orbiting crypts and circling within villi. Additionally, results from mean squared displacement indicated that cells in the villi were not directed and exhibited more of a Brownian motion (Figure 1H). As CD8 T cell motility in the SI was not mediated by integrins, we wondered if confinement was due to reorganization of the ECM after infection subsides. This could be similar to effector CD8 T cells in the muscularis layer of the SI, which were seemingly held between muscle cells and potentially confined because of this (Figure 3). Throughout the course of infection, the ECM can be considerably reorganized and differences in tissue architecture can impact T cell motility (Overstreet et al., 2013; Sorokin, 2010). Indeed, at day 14 after LCMV infection, T cells exhibited motility that was midway between days 8 and day 30 (Figures S1DF). Interestingly, during an antigenically distinct local infection with Yptb-OVA or introduction of LPS, TRM motility was disparately impacted (Figures 4, S4AF). This indicates that CD8 T cells adapt their migratory behavior depending on various inflammatory cues. Effector T cells in the same environment displayed distinct locomotion, as compared to bystander memory T cells, validating that certain behaviors are antigen driven and/or are intrinsic to effector T cells. At day 5, self-specific CD8 T cells were slightly more confined and slower than P14 CD8 T cells at effector time points (Figures 1, 4HJ). This enforces the concept that the less hindered mobility of effector T cells could be due to microbial induced inflammation and tissue restructuring, as OT-I transfer to iFABP-OVA mice does not induce high levels of inflammation (Vezys et al., 2000).

Our studies demonstrate that CD8 T cell mobility in the SI is disparate throughout the course of infection and may be governed by the complex tissue architecture of the SI. Surprisingly, interactions with integrins do not impact CD8 T cell motility, but TRM locomotion is influenced by the local inflammatory milieu. This work informs the requirements for therapies dependent on efficient CD8 T cell immune-surveillance of the SI and suggests that, given their restricted motile behavior, large numbers of CD8 TRM in the SI are required for effective immunity against microbes and malignancies.

STAR METHODS

CONTACT FOR REAGENT AND RESOURCE SHARING

Further information and requests for resources and reagents should be directed to and will be fulfilled by the Lead Contact, Vaiva Vezys (vvezys@umn.edu).

EXPERIMENTAL MODEL AND SUBJECT DETAILS

C57BL/6J (B6), C57BL/6-Tg (UBC-GFP)30Scha/J (ubiquitin-GFP), Tg(CAG-ECFP)CK6Nagy/J (actin-ECFP), B6.129S2(C)-Itgaetm1Cmp/J (CD103KO), B6.Cg-Tg(Itgax-Venus)1Mnz/J, and B6 Thy1.1 mice were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory. B6 CD45.1 mice were purchased from Charles River Laboratories. All mice were maintained in specific pathogen free conditions at the University of Minnesota. iFABP-OVA, P14/CD45.1, and OT-I/CD45.1 mice were bred and maintained in house. Kaede mice were a generous gift from Dr. Kristin Hogquist (University of Minnesota). P14 and OT-I reporter mice were generated by crossing the TCR Tg mice with ubiquitin-GFP or actin-ECFP mice. P14-CFP+ CD103−/− mice were generated by crossing P14-CFP+ mice to P14+ CD103−/− mice. Kaede B6 mice were crossed to OT-I mice to generate OT-I/Kaede reporter mice (Tomura et al., 2008). Adult male and female adult mice ranging from 10–32 weeks of age were used in experiments. All mice were housed under standard conditions in animal facilities and used in accordance with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees guidelines at the University of Minnesota.

METHOD DETAILS

Infections

P14 immune chimeras were generated by transferring 5 × 104 P14-GFP CD8 T cells into naïve B6 mice intravenously (i.v.) followed by infection with 2 × 105 plaque-forming units (PFU) LCMV Armstrong via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection one day later. For CD103−/− experiments, 2.5 × 104 P14-GFP CD8 T cells and 2.5 × 104 P14-CFP CD8 CD103−/− T cells were co-transferred to naïve B6 mice i.v. and infected with LCMV-Armstrong i.p. one day later. For OT-I and OT-I/Kaede immune chimeras, 5 × 105 naïve OT-I Kaede cells were adoptively transferred to B6 mice i.v. One day later, mice were infected with 1 × 106 PFU of VSV- OVA i.v.

For experiments evaluating the impact of bystander inflammation on memory CD8 T cell responses, 5 × 104 P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred into B6 mice, which were infected the next day with LCMV. At least 30 days later, these same mice received 5 × 105 naïve OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells i.v. and were infected orally with 1 × 108 Yptb-OVA CFU (provided by Dr. Tessa Bergsbaken, Rutgers University) 1 day later (Bergsbaken et al., 2017). For experiments with LPS, 4mg/kg of LPS was i.p. injected into P14-GFP memory mice. 4–5 hours after injection, tissue was harvested for imaging. In studies evaluating self-specific responses, 5 × 105 naïve OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to iFABP-OVA mice. iFABP-OVA mice were not exposed to any infectious agents.

Parabiotic surgery

Parabiotic surgery was performed as previously described (Schenkel et al., 2013). Briefly, each mouse to be paired was shaved along the opposite lateral flank. The skin was sterilized and an incision was made on the lateral aspect of each mouse. The lateral skin incisions were conjoined using surgical wound clips. Parabionts were rested for 14–30 days before experiments. Equilibration was confirmed in the peripheral blood prior to the experimental endpoint.

Photoconversion of OT-I/Kaede CD8 T cells

Mice were anesthetized with i.p. injection of Avertin (2,2,2-Tribromalethanol) (250mg/kg). The upper abdominal area of the anesthetized mice was shaved and cleaned with Povidone iodine solution followed by 70% alcohol and a 1–2cm long, horizontal midline incision was made to expose the peritoneum. The intestine was visualized by gently retracting the skin and then a second 1–1.5cm incision was made to open the peritoneal cavity. A small loop (1cm2) of the ileum was carefully pulled through the opening in the peritoneal cavity. Three separate spots in the tissue (~2mm2) were exposed to a 405nm violet light at 100mW/cm2 power for 3min/spot. The loop of intestine was returned to the peritoneal cavity and the peritoneal wall was closed with monofilament synthetic absorbable surgical suture. The skin was closed with 3–4 wound clips. Extreme care was taken to avoid activating Peyer’s patches and mesenteric lymph nodes. Tissue was harvested 1 or 7 days post conversion.

Tissue harvesting and processing

Organs were harvested and digested as previously described (Thompson et al., 2016). For isolation of SI IEL, Peyer’s patches were removed, the SI was cut longitudinally and then laterally into small pieces. Pieces were incubated for 30 minutes with stirring at 37°C with 0.154mg/mL dithioerythritol (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) in 10% HBSS/HEPES. The pieces were vortexed on high speed to dislodge intraepithelial lymphocytes and the supernatant was collected. The SI pieces were washed in RPMI containing 5% FBS and put in RPMI 1640 containing 5% FBS, 2 mM MgCl2, 2 mM CaCl2 and 0.5mg/mL 100 U/mL type I collagenase (Worthington, Lakewood, NJ) and incubated for 45 minutes at 37°C with stirring to obtain LPL. After enzymatic digestion, the remaining tissue pieces were mechanically disrupted using a gentleMACs dissociator (Miltenyi Biotec, San Diego, CA). Single cell suspensions from supernatant of the digestions were further separated using a 44%/67% Percoll (GE Healthcare Life Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA) density gradient. Spleen and lymph nodes (LN) were dissociated mechanically. Splenocytes and blood were treated with ACK lysis buffer to lyse red blood cells.

Tissue freezing, immunofluorescence and microscopy

Harvested murine tissues were fixed in 2% paraformaldehyde for 2 hrs before being treated with 30% sucrose overnight for cryoprotection. Sucrose treated tissue was embedded in tissue freezing medium OCT and frozen in an isopentane liquid bath. Frozen blocks were processed, stained, and imaged. Stains included antibodies targeting the following markers: E-cadherin (DECMA-1, Abcam), collagen IV polyclonal antibody (Millipore), CD31 (MEC13.3, BD Horizon, San Jose, CA). Bovine α-goat (polyclonal) was used as a secondary antibody (Jackson Immunoresearch, West Grove, PA).

Flow cytometry and peptide stimulation

Isolated lymphocytes were surface or intracellular stained with antibodies indicated in the Key Resources table. Peptide stimulation was performed as previously described (Beura et al., 2015). Briefly, lymphocytes were plated in RPMI 1640 containing 10% FBS, 1x NEAA, 2mM L-glutamine, 1mM sodium pyruvate, 1x penicillin/streptomycin and 0.05mM β-mercaptoethanol and incubated with 1μg/mL SIINFEKL peptide for four hours at 37°C. All samples also contained1μg/mL GolgiPlug (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA). Cells were washed and stained with surface and intracellular antibodies. For intracellular stains, the BD Biosciences intracellular kit for cytokine staining was used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Ghost Dye™ Red 780 (Tonbo Biosciences, San Diego, CA) was used during surface staining to evaluate cell viability. Stained samples were acquired using LSRII or LSR Fortessa flow cytometers (BD Biosciences) and analyzed with FlowJo software (Treestar).

Two-photon laser scanning microscopy and analysis

Microscopy procedure

A piece of apical jejunum was harvested into warm RPMI 1640 containing 5% FBS, cut longitudinally, and mounted on a cover slip. For experiments with Hoechst stain (Invitrogen), mice were injected i.v. with 1mg of Hoechst stain 30 minutes to 24 hours before imaging. For intravital experiments, mice were anesthetized with 2–5% isoflurane continuously inhaled delivered via nose cone. The mouse abdomen was scrubbed with 70% ethanol and a 1–2cm horizontal midline incision was made to expose the peritoneum. A second 1–2cm incision was made to open up the peritoneal cavity and a small loop of the intestine was pulled out of the peritoneal cavity. This loop was carefully placed between two coverslips part of a custom made apparatus designed to minimize intestinal contraction during imaging while creating a physiological and comfortable environment for the mouse (McDole et al., 2012). The mouse’s normal body temperature was maintained during imaging and continuous oxygenated DMEM high glucose media lacking phenol red (Hyclone) was exchanged over the exposed piece of tissue. Rhodamine B isothiocyanate-dextran (Sigma) was injected i.v. prior to intravital imaging to assess blood flow and the health of the tissue. Movies were acquired using a MP SP5 two-photon microscope TCS (Leica) equipped with a Mai Tai HP DeepSee lasers (SpectraPhysics), an 8,000-Hz resonant scanner, a 25×/0.95 NA objective, two non-descanned detector and two hybrid detectors.

During imaging, continuous oxygenated DMEM high glucose media lacking phenol red (Hyclone) was exchanged in the chamber containing the sample. Tissue was excited at 860 or 890nm and multiple fluorophores were imaged using the custom dichroic mirrors with the following collections: SHG <440nm, CFP 435–485nm, GFP 500–520nm, Hoescht 461nm. Data were processed with Imaris software (version 7.6.4 and version 8.0.1). Migrational analysis were performed using motility lab (created by the MotilityLab team, 2015: Johannes Textor, Jeffrey Berry, Mark J. Miller) or a macro (Fife et al., 2009). The drift correct function in Imaris and motility lab was used to correct SI contraction during imaging where necessary.

For each individual animal, we collected movies of at least two different locations within the jejunum separated by at least 1 mm. Within each of these macroscopic locations, we imaged 3–4 positions concurrently. We removed positions that experienced macro vibrations/contractions and are usually left with ~3–6 unique positions/animal per a given treatment condition. These individual positions were separately analyzed and averaged to identify typical cell behavior. This was repeated for several mice per condition. For presentation in figures, we showed data from one mouse that most closely approximates the typical cell behavior observed across all mice. Each dot in the motility measurement graphs represents one cell. In the legend, the “n” indicates the number of mice. It can be common for rejection to occur when transferring T cells producing novel fluorochromes (or other antigens) to new hosts for imaging or any other type of analysis for any investigator. We saw no cell behavioral differences between mice with increased attrition of T cells at memory time points (presumably due to rejection) and mice with normal memory T cell frequencies. In any case, T cells undergoing active rejection/death will be difficult to capture in the process and would likely not be imaged. If expected memory P14 T cell numbers were not detected in blood before analyzing experimental mice, we assumed rejection of memory P14 was occurring and did not use these mice for any analysis, including imaging.

Blocking with antibodies

For Kb-SIINFEKL blocking experiments, mice were i.v. injected with 100μg of anti-Kb-SIINFEKL antibody 1–2 hrs before imaging (25-D1.15, BioXcell). An irrelevant IgG1 antibody was used as an isotype control under the same conditions (MOPC-21, BioXcell).

Mathematical modeling of TPLSM data

For calculating volume, a 360μm by 360μm by 360μm domain was divided into 2.5μm x 2.5μm x 2.5μm cubes. There were 2,985,984 = (360/2.5)3 such cubes. Each cell was initially translated so that its minimum in the x-, y-, and z-directions coincided with the origin (0,0,0). As the cell moved through the domain using observed positions, the distance between the cell and each of the cubes was calculated. An algorithm was used to compute these distances. If the distance between the cell and a cube center was less than a radius of a cell (assumed to be 5μm), then cube volume was counted as part of the total volume traversed by the cell. A specific cube volume is only counted once. The total volume traversed by the cell (μm3) is divided by the time the cell was observed (in seconds). Straightness analysis was performed as previously described (Mrass et al., 2017). Briefly, for every experimental track, 100 track-derivatives were generated, by randomizing the orientation of individual velocity vectors. The magnitude of the velocity vectors was left unchanged and therefore the average speed was identical in experimental and randomized tracks. The displacement between the start and end of the experimental track and the displacements of 100 randomized tracks were used to calculate the straightness Z-score. It shows how many standard deviations the experimental displacement deviates from the expected displacement of all randomized track derivatives. Negative Z-scores suggest that the experimental displacement is less than expected by chance (“confined tracks”) and positive Z-scores suggest that the experimental displacement is higher than expected by chance (“straight tracks”).

For modeling the length of time expected for P14 CD8 T cells to scan a villus, frequency distributions were created for speed and turning angles using day 30 T cell data within the villi. Simulations were performed using a cylinder with a diameter of 75μm and a height of 300μm, to mimic the shape and size of a single villus in the jejunum. A simulation was performed with 60 cells uniformly distributed within the cylinder (Figure 2A) and with one T cell initially positioned at the center of the cylinder (Figure S2A). T cells sample from the speed and turning angle distributions each time step to advance their position in time. The turning angle determined a cone on which the T cell remained when advancing its position. A time step of 20 seconds was used for the simulation of 60 cells, and a time step of 60 seconds was used for one cell. The cylinder was divided into 85,789 2.5μm by 2.5μm by 2.5μm cubes. A cube was counted towards the total volume patrolled if the distance between a cube center and any T cell was less or equal to the T cell radius (3.5μm). A cube that had been surveyed remained permanently surveyed for the duration of the simulation. If a T cell attempted to exit the cylinder, it was assigned its previous position with a random 0.5μm displacement component in the x-, y-, and z-direction, such that it remained within the cylinder. The simulations with 60 cells and one cell were repeated 100 times to create error bars. Error bars plot the maximum and minimum volume patrolled over the 100 simulations at a specific time.

QUANTIFICATION AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

D’Agostino and Pearson test was performed to evaluate normality. A Mann-Whitney test was performed when two unpaired groups being compared did not exhibit Gaussian distribution. When a single variable between multiple groups with normal distribution was compared, a one-way ANOVA with Dunn’s multiple comparison was employed. For single variable comparisons across multiple groups of non-Gaussian distribution, a Kruskal-Wallis test was used. All statistics were performed using Prism (GraphPad Software, V7) and for all analysis p values of less than 0.05 were considered significant, as indicated by one or more asterisks (*).

Supplementary Material

1. Supplementary movie 1) Migration of CD8 T cells in small intestinal villi at day 5 and 8 after LCMV infection, related to Figure 1 and S1.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. At days 5 and 8 after infection, the jejunum was imaged via TPLSM. The representative time lapse movies show P14-GFP CD8 T cells (cyan) at the indicated time points. Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (3.8MB, mp4)
5. Supplemental movie 5) Intestinal tissue architecture dictates CD8 T cell motility, related to Figure 3.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. At day 5 post infection, the jejunum was imaged using TPLSM. The representative time lapse movies show a 3D view of the tissue architecture and cross sections of the tissue, as indicated, in the serosa, muscularis externa and crypt at day 5 after infection. P14-GFP CD8 T cells are in cyan. Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (10.4MB, mp4)
6. Supplemental movie 6) CD8 T cell behavior at day 8 after LCMV in the serosa of the small intestine, related to Figure 3.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. At day 8 after infection, the jejunum was imaged via TPLSM. Representative time lapse movies show cross sections of the tissue, as indicated, in the serosa, muscularis externa and crypt at day 8 after infection. P14-GFP CD8 T cells are in cyan, CD11c-YFP cells are yellow. Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (13.2MB, mp4)
7. Supplemental movie 7) CD8 T cell behavior in the crypt of the small intestine, related to Figure 3.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. At days 5 and 8 after infection, the crypts of the jejunum were imaged via TPLSM. Representative time lapse movies show P14-GFP CD8 T cells (cyan) at the indicated time points. Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (4.3MB, mp4)
8. Supplemental movie 8) CD8 TRM motility in the small intestinal villi during bystander inflammation, related to Figure 4 and S4.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. 30 days after infection, naïve OT-I-CFP CD8 T cells were transferred to these mice and they were orally infected one day later with Yptb-OVA. At day 6 after infection, the jejunum was imaged via TPLSM. The representative time lapse movie shows P14-GFP TRM (green) and effector OT-I-CFP CD8 T cells (pink) at day 6 during Yptb-OVA infection. Second harmonic generation (SHG) is shown in blue.

Download video file (2.1MB, mp4)
9. Supplemental movie 9) CD8 TRM motility in the small intestinal villi after LPS induced endotoxemia, related to Figure 4 and S4.

P14-GFP memory mice were injected with LPS i.p. and 4–5 hours later, the jejunum was imaged by TPLSM. Representative time lapse movies show P14-GFP CD8 T cells (green). Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (6MB, mp4)
10. Supplemental movie 10) Self-specific CD8 T cell locomotion in the presence of self-Ag in the small intestinal villi, related to Figure 4 and S4.

Naïve OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to mice expressing ovalbumin in mature enterocytes of the small intestine (iFABP-OVA mice). At day 5 after transfer, the jejunum was imaged using TPLSM. In experiments blocking Kb-SIINFEKL complexes, anti-Kb-SIINFEKL antibody was administered to mice 1 hour prior to imaging. Representative time lapse movies show OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells (cyan) +/− anti-Kb-SIINFEKL blockade as indicated. Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (3.8MB, mp4)
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2. Supplementary movie 2) Motility of CD8 TRM cells in small intestinal villi, related to Figure 1 and S1.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. At least 30 days after infection, the jejunum was imaged via TPLSM. A representative time lapse movie shows P14-GFP TRM (cyan). Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (2.7MB, mp4)
3. Supplemental movie 3) Intravital imaging of early effector CD8 T cells, related to Figure 1.

Naïve OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with VSV-OVA one day later. At day 5 following infection, the small intestine was imaged using intravital microscopy. A representative time lapse movie shows OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells (green). Hoechst stain (blue) and rhodamine dextran (red) were injected prior to imaging. The movie shows a projection of several z-steps spanning the serosa, crypt and villi of the jejunum.

Download video file (3.7MB, mp4)
4. Supplemental movie 4) CD8 TRM cell motility in the small intestinal villi is independent of CD103, related to Figure 2 and S3.

Naïve P14/WT-GFP CD8 T cells and naïve P14/CD103−/− -CFP CD8 T cells were co-transferred to B6 mice and infected with LCMV 1 day later. At days 8, 14 and 30 after infection, the jejunum was imaged via TPLSM. The representative time lapse movies show P14/WT-GFP CD8 T cells (green) and P14/CD103−/−-CFP CD8 T cells (pink). Second harmonic generation (SHG) is shown in blue. Hoechst stain was not used as it overlaps with CFP in our microscopic setup.

Download video file (7.3MB, mp4)

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. J. Michael Stolley for schematic artistry; Drs. Yoji Shimizu and Brandon Burbach for providing OT-I-GFP mice and Drs. Stephen Jameson, Kris Hogquist and Tessa Bergsbaken for sharing Kaede transgenic mice and Yptb-OVA. This work was funded by a University of Minnesota Academic Health Center Seed Grant (V.V.) and NIH grant T32AI007313 (E.A.T.) and the University of Minnesota Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (E.A.T.). B.T.F. and J.S.M. are supported by NIH R01 AI106791. D.T. was supported by UTEP BUILDing SCHOLARS NIH award RL5GM118969.

Footnotes

Declaration of interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

1. Supplementary movie 1) Migration of CD8 T cells in small intestinal villi at day 5 and 8 after LCMV infection, related to Figure 1 and S1.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. At days 5 and 8 after infection, the jejunum was imaged via TPLSM. The representative time lapse movies show P14-GFP CD8 T cells (cyan) at the indicated time points. Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (3.8MB, mp4)
5. Supplemental movie 5) Intestinal tissue architecture dictates CD8 T cell motility, related to Figure 3.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. At day 5 post infection, the jejunum was imaged using TPLSM. The representative time lapse movies show a 3D view of the tissue architecture and cross sections of the tissue, as indicated, in the serosa, muscularis externa and crypt at day 5 after infection. P14-GFP CD8 T cells are in cyan. Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (10.4MB, mp4)
6. Supplemental movie 6) CD8 T cell behavior at day 8 after LCMV in the serosa of the small intestine, related to Figure 3.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. At day 8 after infection, the jejunum was imaged via TPLSM. Representative time lapse movies show cross sections of the tissue, as indicated, in the serosa, muscularis externa and crypt at day 8 after infection. P14-GFP CD8 T cells are in cyan, CD11c-YFP cells are yellow. Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (13.2MB, mp4)
7. Supplemental movie 7) CD8 T cell behavior in the crypt of the small intestine, related to Figure 3.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. At days 5 and 8 after infection, the crypts of the jejunum were imaged via TPLSM. Representative time lapse movies show P14-GFP CD8 T cells (cyan) at the indicated time points. Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (4.3MB, mp4)
8. Supplemental movie 8) CD8 TRM motility in the small intestinal villi during bystander inflammation, related to Figure 4 and S4.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. 30 days after infection, naïve OT-I-CFP CD8 T cells were transferred to these mice and they were orally infected one day later with Yptb-OVA. At day 6 after infection, the jejunum was imaged via TPLSM. The representative time lapse movie shows P14-GFP TRM (green) and effector OT-I-CFP CD8 T cells (pink) at day 6 during Yptb-OVA infection. Second harmonic generation (SHG) is shown in blue.

Download video file (2.1MB, mp4)
9. Supplemental movie 9) CD8 TRM motility in the small intestinal villi after LPS induced endotoxemia, related to Figure 4 and S4.

P14-GFP memory mice were injected with LPS i.p. and 4–5 hours later, the jejunum was imaged by TPLSM. Representative time lapse movies show P14-GFP CD8 T cells (green). Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

Download video file (6MB, mp4)
10. Supplemental movie 10) Self-specific CD8 T cell locomotion in the presence of self-Ag in the small intestinal villi, related to Figure 4 and S4.

Naïve OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to mice expressing ovalbumin in mature enterocytes of the small intestine (iFABP-OVA mice). At day 5 after transfer, the jejunum was imaged using TPLSM. In experiments blocking Kb-SIINFEKL complexes, anti-Kb-SIINFEKL antibody was administered to mice 1 hour prior to imaging. Representative time lapse movies show OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells (cyan) +/− anti-Kb-SIINFEKL blockade as indicated. Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

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2. Supplementary movie 2) Motility of CD8 TRM cells in small intestinal villi, related to Figure 1 and S1.

Naïve P14-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with LCMV one day later. At least 30 days after infection, the jejunum was imaged via TPLSM. A representative time lapse movie shows P14-GFP TRM (cyan). Hoechst stain (blue) was injected prior to imaging.

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3. Supplemental movie 3) Intravital imaging of early effector CD8 T cells, related to Figure 1.

Naïve OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells were transferred to B6 mice that were infected with VSV-OVA one day later. At day 5 following infection, the small intestine was imaged using intravital microscopy. A representative time lapse movie shows OT-I-GFP CD8 T cells (green). Hoechst stain (blue) and rhodamine dextran (red) were injected prior to imaging. The movie shows a projection of several z-steps spanning the serosa, crypt and villi of the jejunum.

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4. Supplemental movie 4) CD8 TRM cell motility in the small intestinal villi is independent of CD103, related to Figure 2 and S3.

Naïve P14/WT-GFP CD8 T cells and naïve P14/CD103−/− -CFP CD8 T cells were co-transferred to B6 mice and infected with LCMV 1 day later. At days 8, 14 and 30 after infection, the jejunum was imaged via TPLSM. The representative time lapse movies show P14/WT-GFP CD8 T cells (green) and P14/CD103−/−-CFP CD8 T cells (pink). Second harmonic generation (SHG) is shown in blue. Hoechst stain was not used as it overlaps with CFP in our microscopic setup.

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