T-lymphocytes recognize foreign antigens via their clonotypic
T-cell receptor (TCR). The TCR consists of two disulfide-linked
TCR chains, which are embedded in a sheath of CD3 molecules,
commonly referred as the TCR/CD3 complex. Among TCR heterodimers
two forms can be distinguished: /
TCRs and /
TCRs.
T-lymphocytes expressing the /
TCR make up the majority of T-cells in peripheral blood and
bone marrow and can be distinguished from /
T-lymphocytes expressing the /
TCR. In normal T-cell development /
TCR can first be detected in the cortical thymocyte stage. A
variety of studies have demonstrated the usefulness and reliability
of anti-TCR mAbs for the classification of acute T-cell leukemias
(T-ALL). In T-ALL surface /
TCR expression is characteristic for the T-ALL IVa subtype according
to the EGIL classification.
The /
TCR mAb permits the identification and enumeration of normal
and leukemic T-cell populations in human biological samples
(blood, bone marrow and others) using flow cytometry.
/
/
TCRs and 
/
TCRs. 
