B6N.129P2-Il27ra^tm1Mak/J

Stock number: 018078
Product name: WSX-1^-
Strain synonyms: IL-27R-, Il27ra-, TCCR
Research areas: Immunology, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Research, Research Tools

Description

These Il27ra (also referred to as WSX-1) knock-out mice are useful for studying Th1 cell induced cytokine production during infection and inflammation.

Detailed description

In this knockout strain, a neo cassette replaces part of the extracellular fibronectin type III domain of the interleukin 27 receptor, alpha (Il27ra or WSX-1) gene, abolishing gene function. WSX-1 is a class I cytokine receptor expressed mainly in T cells and myeloid cells of the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes. WSX-1 is an early inducer of T helper 1 (Th1) cell differentiation and helps regulate cell-mediated immunity. Homozygotes are viable and fertile. These WSX-1 KO mice exhibit impaired interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production during early stages of Leishmania major infection. In contrast, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection results in enhanced CD4⁺ T cell activation and IFN-γ production. Natural killer T (NKT) cells from WSX-1 KO mice with Con A-induced hepatitis produced more IFN-γ and interleukin (IL)-4, with hyperproduction of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. These mice are useful for studying the regulation of Th1/Th2-induced cytokine production during infection and inflammation.

Development

A targeting vector was designed to replace the exon encoding part of the extracellular fibronectin type III domain of the interleukin 27 receptor, alpha (Il27ra) gene with a neomycin resistance (neo) cassette. The construct was electroporated into 129P2/OlaHsd-derived E14K embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6NTac blastocysts and the resulting chimeric males were bred to C57BL/6NTac females. These mice were backcrossed to C57BL/6NTac mice for at least 10 generations. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory Repository, mice were bred to C57BL/6NJ (Stock No. 005304) for at least one generation to establish the colony.

Allele

Symbol: Il27ra^tm1Mak
Name: targeted mutation 1, Tak Mak
MGI accession ID: MGI:3040914
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Il27ra
Marker name: interleukin 27 receptor, alpha
Chromosome: 8
Strain of origin: 129P2/OlaHsd
Molecular note: An exon encoding a portion of the extracellular fibronectin type III domain was replaced with a neo cassette. Western blot demonstrated lack of protein in mutant spleen cells.