Characterization of immune cells in oral tissues of non-human primates

In this study, we assess immune cell populations across non-human primate (NHP), Macaca nemestrina oral tissues. Specifically, we assess tissue biopsies (Bx, Unbr) and cytobrushed (CB, Cybr) samples taken from buccal, sublingual, and lingual tonsil tissues. We also assess immune populations across sex and age differences. All samples are measured using flow cytometry to quantify relative cell frequencies as well as normalized cell quantities per tissue mass, or brushing, to assess the overall density of immune cell populations. Immune cells are determined from live, CD45+ leukocytes. Of these leukocytes, we identify CD45+CD3+ T-cells, CD45+CD3-CD20+ B-cells, and CD45+CD3-CD20-CD11c+ antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Finally, we assess subpopulations of T-cells and APCs. T-cells are further delineated as CD45+CD3+CD4+ or CD45+CD3+CD8+. APCs are separated as CD45+CD20-CD11c+CD1a+ Langerhans Cells (LCs) or CD45+CD20-CD11c+CD11b+ submucosal dendritic cells (SMDCs). Considering that the NHP model better represents the human immune system than mouse models, we believe these data can provide important information for understanding oral health. Further, these data can inform the optimal location and delivery strategies for novel oral mucosal vaccination methods.

在本项研究中，我们对非人灵长类动物（NHP）猕猴（Macaca nemestrina）口腔组织的免疫细胞群体进行了评估。具体而言，我们评估了来自颊部、舌下和舌扁桃体组织的组织活检（Bx，Unbr）和细胞刷取（CB，Cybr）样本。同时，我们亦对免疫群体在不同性别和年龄差异上的分布进行了研究。所有样本均采用流式细胞术进行测量，以量化相对细胞频率以及每组织质量或刷取的标准化细胞数量，从而评估免疫细胞群体的总体密度。免疫细胞通过活体CD45+白细胞进行鉴定。在这些白细胞中，我们识别了CD45+CD3+ T细胞、CD45+CD3-CD20+ B细胞以及CD45+CD3-CD20-CD11c+抗原呈递细胞（APCs）。最终，我们对T细胞和APC的亚群进行了评估。T细胞进一步细分为CD45+CD3+CD4+或CD45+CD3+CD8+。APC则分为CD45+CD20-CD11c+CD1a+朗格汉斯细胞（LCs）或CD45+CD20-CD11c+CD11b+黏膜下树突状细胞（SMDCs）。鉴于NHP模型相较于小鼠模型更能代表人类免疫系统，我们相信这些数据可以为理解口腔健康提供重要信息。此外，这些数据还可为新型口腔黏膜疫苗接种方法的最佳位置和递送策略提供指导。