Method of producing a mouse suitable for the engraftment, differentiation and proliferation of heterologous cells, mouse produced by this method and use of the mouse

Patent Number: 7,145,055

The use of immunodeficient animals in stem cell research is very important since most researchers are interested in the in vivo activities of human stem cells without having to actually perform clinical trials.

The solution to this has been the use of animal strains that are either genetically immune deficient, or induced to be immune deficient. Previously the NOD-SCID mouse was used to study in vivo properties of human hematopoietic stem cells in a mouse. The NOD-SCID is a combination of SCID, which lacks T and B cells, and NOD which has low NK cell activity.

The current patent teaches a new immunodeficient mouse that is called the "NOG" mouse. Essentially, this mouse is knocked out for the IL-2 receptor gamma chain, and as a result it does not have functional T, B or NK cells. Additionally, the mouse patented here also possesses relatively weak macrophage or dendritic cell function.

This patent is useful for assessing activities of human cells in situations where the NOD-SCID or other immune deficient mice are not appropriate.

View this patent on the USPTO website.