Abstract
Objective To analyze the characteristics of murine CD3+ TCRαβ+ DN thymocytes and deduce their phenotypic and functional process in the thymus. Methods Murine DN thymocytes were purified and multi-color staining was used to analyze the phenotype and TCR repertoire of CD3+ TCRαβ+ DN cells. Results DN thymocytes are heterogeneous containing both CD3- DN and CD3+ DN cells. CD3+ DN thymocytes can also be classified into two subsets as CD3+ TCRαβ+ and CD3+ TCRγδ+ . CD3+ TCRαβ+ DN thymocytes are small and most of them are cortisone resistant. The percentage of self-reactive Vβ3+ and Vβ11+ among these cells is low. The phenotype of CD3+ TCRαβ+ DN thymocytes is quite mature, correspondence to that of medullary type SP thymocytes. Conclusions Unlike CD3- TCRαβ- DN thymocytes, CD3+ TCRαβ+ DN thymocyte population is a unique subset. They will undergo a phenotypic and functional maturation process before leaving thymus and entering into periphery zone.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 316-320 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - May 2002 |
Keywords
- CD4 CD8
- Phenotype
- TCR repertoire
- Thymocytes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Virology