title: Phenotypic and functional differentiation of porcine αβ T cells: current knowledge and available tools.
abstract: Domestic pigs are considered as a valuable large animal model because of their close relation to humans in regard to anatomy, genetics and physiology. This includes their potential use as organ donors in xenotransplantation but also studies on various zoonotic infections affecting pigs and humans. Such work also requires a thorough understanding of the porcine immune system which was partially hampered in the past by restrictions on available immunological tools compared to rodent models. However, progress has been made during recent years in the study of both, the innate and the adaptive immune system of pigs. In this review we will summarize the current knowledge on porcine αβ T cells, which comprise two major lymphocyte subsets of the adaptive immune system: CD4(+) T cells with important immunoregulatory functions and CD8(+) T cells, also designated as cytolytic T cells. Aspects on their functional and phenotypic differentiation are presented. In addition, we summarize currently available tools to study these subsets which may support a more widespread use of swine as a large animal model.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: wilhelm.gerner@vetmeduni.ac.at.
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gerner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Stephanie C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Talker
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria; University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Hanna C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Koinig
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Corinna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sedlak
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Kerstin H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Mair
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saalmüller
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology*; D013552:Swine / Q000276:immunology*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
keywords: CD4 T cells; CD8 T cells; Differentiation; Swine; αβ T cells