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 expression is restricted to spleen and lymph nodes, specifically activated/memory T cells, with a slightly higher intensity in homozygotes. Homozygous null mice show decreased EGFP+ CD1d-reactive NKT patrolling efficiency and decreased severity of induced acute hepatitis, while heterozygotes and wildtype mice show no differences. This mutant may be useful in studies of hepatitis, HIV, SIV, fluorescent T cell tracking, and various immune responses.
In an attempt to offer alleles on well-characterized or multiple genetic backgrounds, alleles are frequently moved to a genetic background different from that on which an allele was first characterized. It should be noted that the phenotype could vary from that originally described. We will modify the strain description if necessary as published results become available.
