Genes expected to be absent, or expressed at a notably low level, in these cells, and whose absence supports the assignment of this cell annotation.
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Rationale
CD3D and CD3E are components of the T cell receptor signaling complex, confirming T cell lineage identity. FOXP3 is a transcription factor required for regulatory T cell specification and function, and is the defining marker of this population. TIGIT and CTLA4 are inhibitory receptors enriched in regulatory T cells, reflecting their immunosuppressive function. Together these markers reliably identify regulatory T cells (Tregs) and distinguish them from conventional CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell populations.
