A 31-Parameter Flow Cytometry Panel for In-depth Immunophenotyping of Human T Cell Subsets Using Surface Markers.

Wang, Song-Rong; Zhong, Na; Zhang, Xin-Mei; Zhao, Zhi-Bin; Balderas, Robert; Li, Liang; Lian, Zhe-Xiong

Dissecting the functional diversity of T cells is critical in elucidating mechanisms and in developing therapies for various diseases. Here, we designed a 31-parameter (29-color) panel to enable the characterization of T cell subsets and immunophenotyping of the human peripheral blood and lymph nodes using cell surface staining. In addition to adaptive T cell markers, TCR Vα24-Jα18, TCR γδ, TCR V&ip.alpha;7.2 and CD161 were included to identify iNKT, γδ T, and MAIT cells, respectively, which are innate-like T cells. C-X-C chemokine receptors (CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, CXCR6) and C-C motif chemokine receptors (CCR4, CCR6, CCR7) were included to enable the identification of Th cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17), Tfh cell subsets (Tfh1, Tfh2, Tfh17) and Th cells with specific homing capacities. Furthermore, in this panel, we also used markers for assessing cell differentiation (CD45RO, CD7), activation (CD57, CD95, HLA-DR) and the expression of some co-signaling molecules (PD-1, NKG2D, CD28). Particularly, CD69 and CD103 were included for the further analysis of tissue resident memory T (Trm) cells. This panel would enable the in-depth immunophenotyping of human T cell subsets, and may be applied in the monitoring, prognosis and mechanistic studies of various immune-related diseases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.