Mice hemizygous for the "depletion of regulatory T cell" (DEREG) BAC transgene are viable and fertile, with expression of a simian diphtheria toxin receptor-enhanced green fluorescent protein (DTR-eGFP) fusion protein under control of the endogenous Foxp3 (forkhead box P3) promoter/enhancer regions on the BAC transgene. The donating investigator reports that transcription/translation from the BAC Foxp3 locus is disabled. These DEREG mice have DTR-eGFP expression in fully functional Foxp3+CD4+ regulatory T cell populations with no observed influence on regulation of the endogenous Foxp3 locus. Specifically, EGFP expression (via FACS) is observed mainly in CD25+CD4+ T cells, and allows specific detection of Foxp3+ regulatory T cell populations. The donating investigator also reports that EGFP expression is measurable by direct fluorescence. Diphtheria toxin (DT) administration results in ablation of Foxp3+CD4+ T reg cells with no apparent affect on CD25+ effector T cells. DT-induced depletion of Foxp3+CD4+ T reg cells is associated with enhanced and prolonged delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses and neonatal development of scurfy-like symptoms. The donating investigator reports that while homozygous females breed fine, homozygous males seem infertile.

These "depletion of regulatory T cell" (DEREG) BAC transgenic mice express a simian diphtheria toxin receptor-enhanced green fluorescent protein (DTR-eGFP) fusion protein under control of the endogenous forkhead box P3 promoter/enhancer regions on the BAC transgene. DTR-eGFP expression is observed in fully functional Foxp3+CD4+ regulatory T cell populations allowing fluorescent detection or diphtheria toxin-induced ablation Foxp3+ T reg cells.

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