Dexamethasone-FITC staining application for measurement of circadian rhythmicity of glucocorticoid receptor expression in mouse living thymocyte subsets

Glucocorticoids are involved in the regulation of immune homeostasis and thymopoiesis and the integration of the thymus function with the neuroendocrine system. Their regulatory function is closely related to glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) expression. The aim of this study was to develop a method for the measurement of GCR expression in mouse living thymocytes by flow cytometry. Using dexamethasone binding we have shown differences in GCR expression among thymocyte subsets and their dependence on the circadian rhythm.