Expression of T cell antigen receptor beta-chains on subsets of mouse thymocytes. Analysis by three-color flow cytometry.
The expression on adult mouse thymocytes of a T cell antigen receptor beta-chain epitope, recognized by the antibody F23.1, has been studied by three-color flow cytometry. Low density F23.1 staining was found mainly on CD4+8+ thymocytes. High density staining was mainly on CD4+8- and CD4-8+ cells. Variable proportions of CD4-8- cells were also F23.1+. Among CD4-8+ cells, F23.1 was expressed only on the J11d- subset with mature T cell function. We conclude that many subpopulations of thymocytes express antigen receptors and are candidates for the population subject to thymic selection, but at present no single subpopulation makes a convincing claim.
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta