Fluorochrome-based definition of naturally occurring Foxp3+ regulatory T cells of intra- and extrathymic origin

Here, we report on experiments in double-transgenic mice, in which RFP is expressed in all Foxp3+ Treg cells, whereas Foxp3-dependent GFP expression is exclusively confined to intrathymically induced Foxp3+ Treg cells. This novel molecular genetic tool enabled us to faithfully track and characterize naturally induced Treg cells of intrathymic (RFP+GFP+) and extrathymic (RFP+GFP) origin in otherwise unmanipulated mice.

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Petzold C, Steinbronn N, Gereke M, Strasser RH, Sparwasser T, Bruder D, Geffers R, Schallenberg S, Kretschmer K