Ins2-Ccl21-leu (commonly referred to as SLC) transgenic mice are viable, fertile, normal in size, and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. Immunohistochemistry of pancreatic sections with antibodies to CCL21 demonstrate detectable chemokine protein within the pancreatic beta cells. In transgenic mice on the B6.D2 background, SLC pancreatic expression leads to highly organized infiltrates in the pancreatic islets. These infiltrates contain B cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and dendritic cells (DCs) with the DCs and and T cells localized close to the CCL21b expressing islet cells.
According to the donating investigator, SLC expression in the pancrease of transgenic mice on the NOD congenic background prevents diabetes development (unpublished communication).
This strain is useful for the study of T cells, B cells and chemokines in the development of diabetes.
