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 (HBEGF or 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 HBEGF-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. 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.

These "depletion of regulatory T cell" (DEREG) BAC transgenic mice express a simian diphtheria toxin receptor-enhanced green fluorescent protein (HBEGF or DTR-eGFP) fusion protein under control of the endogenous forkhead box P3 promoter/enhancer regions on the BAC transgene. HBEGF-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.

This strain is hosted by NIH's MMRRC, which partners with JAX for the distribution of this and other strains. For additional information and to purchase, please visit the MMRRC site.