Detecting gene expression in lymphoid microenvironments by laser microdissection and quantitative RT-PCR

Abstract

Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is a valuable tool for measuring gene expression in cells and tissues. Unique challenges are encountered when studies are performed on cells microdissected from small specific areas of frozen animal or human tissue. This chapter describes the analysis of gene expression of chemokines and cytokines that are important for the differentiation and migration of germinal center (GC) derived plasmablasts/plasma cells and memory B cells by using laser capture microdissection (LCM) and qRT-PCR to examine tissue sections.