Inreased signaling intensity in CD81−/− thymocytes.

<p>(<b>a</b>) Deficiency of CD81 or CD9 does not affect T lymphocyte development and thymic cellularity. Thymocytes from B10, CD81−/− and CD9−/− mice were analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry. CD4 vs CD8 contour plots of thymocytes (top row) and lymph node cells (bottom row) are shown. (<b>b</b>) CD81 deficiency increases in vivo signaling intensity in DP thymocytes. Single parameter histograms of TCRß, CD5 and CD69 expression on electronically gated CD4+CD8+ DP thymocytes from B10 (dashed line), CD81−/− (black line) and CD9−/− (grey line) are shown. The electronic gate used is depicted as a box in the top panels in (a).