Simultaneous expression of CD4 and CD8 antigens by a substantial proportion of resting porcine T lymphocytes.
The existence of four subpopulations in resting porcine T lymphocytes is documented. In addition to the two known subpopulations which are typified by a mutually exclusive expression of either the CD8 or the CD4 differentiation antigen, CD4-CD8+ and CD4+CD8- T lymphocytes, respectively, two unusual subpopulations were prominent not only in peripheral blood, but also in lymphoid tissues: CD4-CD8- T lymphocytes expressing neither of these antigens and CD4+CD8+ T lymphocytes coexpressing both antigens. While CD4+CD8+ lymphoblasts have been found also in other species, resting T lymphocytes with that phenotype are without precedent among all species analyzed to date. This unique composition of the porcine T lymphocyte population has to be taken into consideration when the swine is used as a large animal model in experimental medicine.
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D010641:Phenotype; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte