T-cell receptor excision circles
T-cell receptor excision circles are small circles of DNA created in T-cells during their passage through the thymus as they rearrange their TCR genes. Their presence indicates maturation of T cells;
TRECs are reduced in SCID.
Signal joint T-cell receptor excision circles might be used as a way to test the age of the individual from a blood sample. The detection of sjTRECs can be further used as a diagnostic tool to monitor the thymic output.
