---
title: "LP – FCSL Poster 2024: Immunophenotyping Pig Immune Cells by Flow Cytometry: A Powerful Tool for Pharmacology and Toxicology Studies - TD2 Precision Oncology"
description: Dive into the world of pig immunophenotyping with cutting-edge flow cytometry techniques, offering a powerful tool for pharmacology and toxicology studies. Uncover the unique aspects of pig immunology, from higher circulating leukocytes to distinct T cell populations and innate immune cell profiles. Explore our immunophenotyping panels designed to identify pig immune cells accurately using multiparameter flow cytometry, enabling comprehensive analysis of adaptive and innate immunity. Witness our success in confirming SLA-DR expression on specific T cell subsets and our ongoing efforts to optimize methods for identifying regulatory T cells in pigs. Discover the myriad applications of pig immunophenotyping, from monitoring immune cells in pharmacology models and vaccine development to advancing toxicology studies without relying on canines or non-human primates. Elevate your research with state-of-the-art immunophenotyping techniques, paving the way for enhanced drug development and safety assessment in pigs.
image: https://td2inc.com/hubfs/Assets/Images/fcsl-poster-2024-9.png
---
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# Immunophenotyping Pig Immune Cells by Flow Cytometry: A Powerful Tool for Pharmacology and Toxicology Studies
**Authors:** Darcey L. Clark, Lynette Brown, and Jennifer J. Stewart
Flow Contract Site Laboratory, 18323 Bothell Everett Hwy, Suite 110, Bothell, WA 98012
**Abstract:** Pigs are increasingly used in biomedical research because they share many physiological and anatomical similarities to human. Although dogs and non-human primates have traditionally been used for this purpose, ethical concerns have increased the demand for alternatives (Swindle 2012). Because the pig has been a focus of vaccine research for many years, pig-specific immunology reagents exist as research tools. Pigs have some unique aspects to their immunology: in general pigs have higher [circulating leukocytes](https://td2inc.com/lp-flow-cytometry-services?hsLang=en), a lower ratio of CD4:CD8 T cells, and express more double positive (DP) CD4+/CD8+ cells than other species. These DP cells increase with age and after vaccine and/or infection, and are thought to have memory phenotype. Pigs also have a higher percentage of γδ T cells than other species. γδ T cells are highest in younger animals, express SLA-DR (Swine Leukocyte Antigen, MHC II), and CD8, and are thought to have cytolytic activity and memory. Unlike other species, SLA-DR is preferentially expressed on CD8+ T cells and is up- regulated on activated cells.
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