Simultaneous expression of CD4 and CD8 antigens by a substantial proportion of resting porcine T lymphocytes

Saalmüller, Armin; Reddehase, Matthias J.; Bühring, Hans-Jörg; Jonjic, Stipan and Koszinowski, Ulrich H. (1987): Simultaneous expression of CD4 and CD8 antigens by a substantial proportion of resting porcine T lymphocytes. In: European Journal of Immunology, Vol. 17: pp. 1297-1301

Abstract

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.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health