Use of the intracellular fluorescent dye CFSE to monitor lymphocyte migration and proliferation.

The stable incorporation of the intracellular dye CSFE into lymphocytes is a powerful tool to monitor lymphocyte migration in vivo and to quantitatively analyze cell division both in vivo and in vitro. This unit describes methods for labeling high or low numbers of lymphocytes with CSFE. Protocols are provided to use CSFE-labeled cells in cell transfer studies or as cells to be cultured in vitro. Detailed guidelines for positioning of CSFE-labeled lymphocytes in lymphoid organs or other tissues are included for those wishing to use this approach to study lymphocyte migration.