Mice homozygous for this EGFP "knock-in" are viable, fertile, normal in size, and do not display any behavioral abnormalities when maintained under barrier conditions. Lymph nodes and spleen show no endogenous gene expression. Lymphocytes from heterozygotes, but not homozygotes, show endogenous ligand binding. EGFP is expressed in cell subsets similar to human Bonzo/STRL33, namely in T cells, particularly those displaying markers of effector/memory cells and those stimulated by IL-2.
CXCR6-deficient mice exhibit a reduction of CD1d-reactive NKT cells in the liver and decreased susceptibility to T-cell-dependent hepatitis. They are protected from liver fibrosis; macrophage infiltration and protein levels of inflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-4 are reduced in fibrotic livers of Cxcr6-/- mice. Liver and lung NKT cells are depleted in homozygous and heterozygous Cxcr6tm1Litt mice.
Metastasis of LLC and B16 tumor cells to the liver is enhanced in Cxcr6-/- mice. This mutant may be useful in studies of hepatitis, HIV, SIV, fluorescent T cell tracking, and various immune responses.
