Optimized quantification of lymphocyte subsets by use of CD7 and CD33.

Identification and quantification of lymphocyte subsets is based on the expression of specific cell surface antigens. As only a minority of these structures is lineage-restricted gating strategies were established, which should permit to include a maximum of lymphocytes, to reach a high purity within the gate and to avoid specific loss of subsets. Two problems remain: First, the incomplete removal of nonlymphoid cells when CD14 is used to exclude them from the lymphocyte gate.