Homozygotes: Mice that are homozygous for the mutation are viable and fertile. Although rare, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are responsible for most of the type 1 interferon (IFN) response following viral infection. pDCs from feeble mice fail to produce IFN in response to challenge from CpG-A and TLR7 or TLR9 ligands. In vitro challenge with TLR ligands abrogates secretion of IFN as well as that of other proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, conventional dendritic cells from feeble mice produce a normal response to TLR ligands. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of toll like receptor signaling and plasmacytoid dendritic cell function in the immune system.
 
 For additional information, see The Scripps Research Institute <a href="http://mutagenetix.utsouthwestern.edu/phenotypic/phenotypic_rec.cfm?pk=426&rn=1&rl=1&so=al&ac=1&r0=0&nr=500&gsm=slc15a4">Mutagenix website</a>. 

Heterozygote: Not evaluated; 
heterozygote phenotype is expected to be normal.

Plasma dendritic cells from these ENU-induced Slc15a4 (feeble) mutant mice fail to produce IFN in response to challenge from CpG-A and TLR7 or TLR9 ligands. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of toll like receptor signaling and plasmacytoid dendritic cell function in the immune system.

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.