A METHOD FOR FOLLOWING HUMAN-LYMPHOCYTE TRAFFIC USING IN-111 OXINE LABELING

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (3) , 435-442
Abstract
A method is described whereby large human lymphocyte numbers are separated from peripheral blood and labeled in vitro with In-111 oxine. Following autologous reinjection, the distribution within the body is followed by means of serial blood samples, surface-probe counting and .gamma.-camera imaging. The radioactivity distribution following reinjection of heat-damaged labeled lymphocytes and free In-111 oxine is different from that of normal lymphocytes. Apparently the separation and labeling procedure does not cause significant physical damage to the lymphocytes. The importance of restricting the specific lymphocyte activity to 20-40 .mu.Ci/108 cells in order to minimize radiation damage to the lymphocytes is emphasized. Good lymphoid structure resolution is obtained using .gamma. camera imaging and the changes recorded in organ distribution correlate well with data from animal models of lymphocyte migration. In-111 oxine labeling of human lymphocytes provides a non-invasive method whereby human lymphocyte migratory properties can be followed.