Mice homozygous for this iDTR mutation are viable and fertile. These mice have the simian Diphtheria Toxin Receptor (DTR; from simian Hbegf) inserted into the Gt(ROSA)26Sor (ROSA26) locus. Widespread expression of DTR is blocked by an upstream loxP-flanked STOP sequence. When bred to Cre recombinase-expressing mice, the STOP sequence is deleted in tissues where Cre is present, permitting DTR expression. Cells expressing DTR are rendered susceptible to ablation following Diphtheria toxin administration.
For instance, the role of a particular cell population in T1D development can be determined by injecting Diphtheria toxin to deplete the specific cells in a timely fashion.
For example, when bred to a strain expressing Cre recombinase in dendritic cells (see Stock No. 013233 for example), this mutant mouse strain may be useful for studies involving the immunology of diabetes.
When crossed to a strain expressing Cre recombinase in T-lymphocytes (see Stock No. 008694), this mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of regulatory T cell ablation.
