T-cell specific transgene mRNA expression in splenocytes of transgenic mice was demonstrated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR using primers for the HA tag sequence. Expression levels are similar in CD4+ and in CD8+ T cells.
Transgene-derived, TGF beta 1-binding receptors were identified on T cells cultured from transgenic mice by incubating the cells with 125I-labeled ligand, then cross-linking the receptor-ligand complexes and precipitating them from cell lysates with HA tag-specific monoclonal antibodies.