B6.129P2-Il18^tm1Aki/J

Stock number: 004130
Product name: Il18^-
Research areas: Immunology, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Research, Research Tools

Description

Il18-deficient mice exhibit reduced levels of interferon gamma in response to bacterial and lipopolysaccharide challenge, diminished natural killer cell activity, and impaired T helper lymphocyte response. These mice can be used to study the role of Il18 in inflammatory disorders.

Detailed description

Mice that are homozygous null for the Il18 gene are viable, fertile, normal in size and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. No Il18 gene product (mRNA or protein) is detected. Homozygous null mice exhibit reduced levels of interferon gamma in response to heat killed bacteria and lipopolysaccharide. IL-12 levels in the serum are similar to wild type after LPS challenge, indicating that the decreased interferon gamma response in Il18 deficient mice is not due to low induction of IL-12. Il18 deficient mice also exhibit diminished natural killer cell activity and impaired T helper lymphocyte response.

Development

A targeting vector containing neomycin resistance and Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase genes was used to disrupt exons 3-5. The construct was transfected into 129P2/OlaHsd-derived E14-1 embryonic stem cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6 blastocysts. The resulting chimeric animals were backcrossed to C57BL/6 mice.

Allele

Symbol: Il18^tm1Aki
Name: targeted mutation 1, Shizuo Akira
MGI accession ID: MGI:2136769
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Null/Knockout
Synonyms: IL-18-; IL-18; Il18-; IL-18KO
Marker symbol: Il18
Marker name: interleukin 18
Chromosome: 9
Strain of origin: 129P2/OlaHsd
Molecular note: Replacement of exons 3, 4 and 5 with a neomycin resistance gene inserted in frame into exon 3. By Northern blot analysis, mRNA could not be detected in macrophages derived from homozygous mutant mice. By ELISA assay, protein cound not be detected in serum of homozygous mutant mice after intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide.