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Stem Cell Related Patent Number US5698765
| Title: | Mouse having a disrupted CD4 gene | | Inventors: | Mak, Tak W.; Toronto, Canada | | Summary: | This invention introduces a mouse homozygous for a disrupted CD4 gene, methods and uses thereof. Described herein is a mutant mouse strain without CD4 expression, such that the CD4 gene has been disrupted by a selectable marker sequence, wherein the disruption prevents the expression of the CD4 cell surface antigen. The mouse is further characterized by a lack of CD4+ T lymphocytes in peripheral lymphoid organs, while the development of CD8+ thymocytes and myeloid components remains unaltered. Claims of the invention include decreased helper cell activity for antibody responses in such mice, whereas cytotoxic T cell activity against viruses remains within the normal range of that generated by CD4+ mice. Experimental applications are included for the use of such mice as a research model. | | Abstract: | A mutant mouse strain without CD4 expression has been generated by disrupting the CD4 gene using embryonic stem cell technology. In these mice CD4.sup.+ T lymphocytes are not present in peripheral lymphoid organs, but the development of CD8.sup.+ T cells and myeloid components is unaltered, indicating that expression of CD4.sup.+ on progenitor cells and CD4.sup.+ CD8.sup.+ (double positive) thymocytes is not obligatory. These mice have markedly decreased helper cell activity for antibody responses, whereas cytotoxic T cell activity against viruses was within normal range of that generated by CD4.sup.+ mice. This differential requirement for CD4.sup.+ helper T cells has important implications for the understanding of the immune function in a variety of immune disorders, including AIDS, in which the CD4.sup.+ cells are reduced or absent. | | US Patent Website: | Click Here for Full Text of Patent | | Title Number: | US5698765 | | Application Number: | US1995000400173 | | Date Filed: | 06/03/1995 | | Date Published: | 16/12/1997 | | Assignee: | The Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Canada |
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