Characterization of a porcine CD1-specific mAb that distinguishes CD4/CD8 double-positive thymic from peripheral T lymphocytes.

Porcine peripheral T-cells bear CD4 and CD8 cell surface antigens that distinguish helper from cytotoxic T-cells. In distinction from what has been found in other species, a large percentage of peripheral T-cells simultaneously express both CD4 and CD8. Monoclonal antibody 76-7-4 was found to stain all cortical and 7 +/- 3% of medullary thymocytes, Ia+ epidermal cells (i.e. Langerhans cells), no peripheral T-cells and 50% of peripheral B-cells. The antigen detected appears analogous to human CD1. All cortical thymocytes were also stained with CD4 and CD8 mAb. Since 76-7-4 did not stain peripheral T-cells, we conclude that CD4/CD8 dual-expressing peripheral T-cells are not simply immature thymic emigrants.