Transferrin receptor expression as a marker of immature cycling thymocytes in the mouse
P Brekelmans, P van Soest, J Voerman… - Cellular …, 1994 - Elsevier
Dividing cells require iron and, therefore, express the transferrin receptor (CD71) on the cell
surface to enable internalization of transferrin-bound iron. Since early T cell development is
marked by intense proliferation, we questioned whether CD71 might serve as a marker of
immature T cells. Therefore, we analyzed the expression of CD71 on fetal, neonatal, and
adult thymocytes in correlation with cell size, cell cycle status, and expression of CD3, CD4,
CD8, αβTcR, and γδTcR. Phenotypic analysis showed that only the large, immature CD4-8-3 …
surface to enable internalization of transferrin-bound iron. Since early T cell development is
marked by intense proliferation, we questioned whether CD71 might serve as a marker of
immature T cells. Therefore, we analyzed the expression of CD71 on fetal, neonatal, and
adult thymocytes in correlation with cell size, cell cycle status, and expression of CD3, CD4,
CD8, αβTcR, and γδTcR. Phenotypic analysis showed that only the large, immature CD4-8-3 …