Mouse Models of Immunodeficiency

Genetically defined immune-deficient mice are important research tools. Their study has provided deep insights into the differentiation, functions, and regulatory relationships of the immune system. Types of immune-deficient mice range from those with complete absences of multiple immune cell lineages to others with mild alterations. Success in use of immune deficient mice requires specialized attention to husbandry that maintains the environment of immune deficient mice free from microbial contaminants. Under these conditions, most immune-deficient stains are fertile and long-lived. Immune-deficient strain development is ongoing with the use of gene-targeting manipulations in embryos, cross breeding, and mutagenesis. Immune-deficient mice have found special applications as recipients of transplanted murine or xenogenic cells and tissues. Immune-deficient mice support more complex interactions than most in vitro models and provide an in vivo environment for studies of disease pathogenesis and treatment. This chapter outlines the key features of the major historically significant immune deficient strains that are widely used and provided comparative information to help the readers optimize their selection of an immune-deficient strain.