Identifying subpopulations of thymic epithelial cells by flow cytometry using a new specific thymic epithelial marker, Ly110.
We generated monoclonal antibodies reacting to a mouse thymic epithelial cell specific membrane protein, Thymic Stromal Co-transporter (TSCOT)/Ly110. These antibodies showed specificity to the peptide sequences derived from TSCOT/Ly110 determined by specific peptide inhibition in flow cytometric analyses with cells expressing the protein on the surface. TSCOT/Ly110 expressing subpopulation can be identified among the CDR1(+) or 6C3(+) cortical epithelial cells. Furthermore, CDR1 positive cortical thymic epithelial cells can be separated into further distinguishable populations; CDR1(+)6C3(+)Ly110(+), CDR1(+)6C3(-)/(low)Ly110(+), CDR1(+)Ly110(-). Some of TSCOT/Ly110 expressing cells negative for both CDR1 and 6C3 markers were found at the earlier stages of development, while most of the cells are positive for both at 1-week-old stage. After then, downregulation in 6C3 and/or CDR1 expression was noticed until 16 weeks of age. These results suggest that TSCOT/Ly110 is a new marker for the subpopulation of CDR1(+) or 6C3(+) epithelial cells in the neonatal and adult thymus and is useful for the studies on the epithelial cell differentiation process.
Yang
Soo Jung
SJ
Thymic Molecular Development Unit, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, NIAID, NIH, USA.
Ahn
Sejin
S
Park
Chan-Sik
CS
Choi
Seeyoung
S
Kim
Moon Gyo
MG
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D027981:Symporters / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015415:Biomarkers; C483817:Cdr1 protein, mouse; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D027981:Symporters; C498632:Tscot protein, mouse