Label-free single-cell live imaging reveals fast metabolic switch in T lymphocytes

Abstract

T cell activation induces a metabolic switch generating energy required for proliferation, survival, and fueling their functions. Thus, it is essential to monitor metabolism associated to subcellular functional and structural changes. We used non-invasive label-free two-photon fluorescence lifetime microscopy (2P-FLIM) to map the spatial and temporal dynamics of the metabolic NADH co-enzyme during T lymphocyte activation. 2P-FLIM measurements of the protein-bound and free NADH ratios provides a readout of the redox state (NAD+/ NADH) of the cells, and thus of their OXPHOS and glycolysis rates. Using this method, we followed the dynamics of fraction of bound NADH (fb NADH) in live single cells. Comparing fb NADH between resting and activated T cells, we show that T cell activation induces a rapid switch toward glycolysis. The switch takes only 10 minutes and remains stable for at least one hour. Three-dimensional (3D) analysis revealed that the intracellular distribution of fb NADH is symmetrically distributed in resting cells, whereas increases at the contact zone in activated cells. Finally, we show that fb NADH negatively correlates with spreading of activated T cells, suggesting a link between actin remodeling and metabolic changes. This study shows that 2P-FLIM measurement of fb NADH is well suited to follow a fast metabolic switch in 3D, in single T lymphocytes with subcellular resolution.