C.Cg-Foxp3^tm1Tch/J

Stock number: 021144
Product name: Foxp3^K276X BALB/c
Research areas: Developmental Biology Research, Hematological Research, Immunology, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Research, Internal/Organ Research, Research Tools

Description

These Foxp3^K276X (forkhead box P3) mutant mice exhibit multisystem lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disease, and have applications in studies of T regulatory (Treg) cell function and allergic inflammation.

Detailed description

The transcriptional regulator FOXP3 is in the forkhead/winged-helix family and is important in T regulatory cells (Tregs) development and function. These mice carry a targeted mutation of the Foxp3 gene that contains the K276X nonsense mutation (A to T substitution in the first base position of codon 276) in exon 8, which creates a stop codon. Female mice that are heterozygous for the mutation are viable and fertile. Male mice carrying this X-linked mutation die within a few weeks after birth, due to aggressive lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disease. No gene product (mRNA or protein) is detected by Real-time PCR or FACS analysis of mutant splenocytes. Null mice exhibit decreased numbers of B cells. By 2 weeks of age, mutant male mice exhibit spontaneous allergic airway inflammation, progressive lymphoproliferation and myeloproliferation and blood eosinophilia. Male hemizygotes on a congenic C57BL/6 background live longer (up to 60 days) than male hemizygotes on a BALB/c background (up to 23 days).

Development

A targeting vector designed by Dr. Talal A. Chatila (UCLA) containing a loxP flanked NEO cassette was used to introduce the K276X nonsense mutation (A to T substitution in the first base position of codon 276) in exon 8, creating a stop codon. The construct was electroporated into 129X1/SvJ derived RW4 embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6 blastocysts. The resulting chimeric male animals were crossed to BALB/c female mice. The mice were then crossed to EIIa-cre deleter mice on a mixed BALB/c, C57BL/6 background to remove the floxed NEO cassette. The mice were then backcrossed to BALB/c for 15 generations. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory, the mice were crossed to BALB/cJ (Stock No. 000651) at least once to establish the colony.

Allele

Symbol: Foxp3^tm1Tch
Name: targeted mutation 1, Talal A Chatila
MGI accession ID: MGI:3696705
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Foxp3
Marker name: forkhead box P3
Chromosome: X
Strain of origin: 129X1/SvJ
Molecular note: A vector was designed to change codon K276 to a stop codon in exon 8. A neo included in the vector was subsequently removed via cre mediated recombination.