CD18 KO mice contain a neo cassette inserted into the splice-acceptor site of exon 3 of the Itgb2 (integrin beta 2) gene, abolishing gene expression. Homozygotes are viable and fertile, with some perinatal lethality evident. CD18 (&beta;2 integrin) is a &beta; integrin subunit expressed on hematopoietic cells that can hetrodimerize with distinct CD11 subunits to form CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1), CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1), CD11c/CD18 or CD11d/CD18. &beta;2 integrins play critical roles in various functions depending on the distinct &beta;2 integrin member and the cell subset upon which it is expressed. These functions include cell:cell adhesion, cell trafficking, T cell activation and differentiation, and pathogen clearance . Mice exhibit elevated neutrophil counts, small/hypocellular peripheral lymph nodes, splenomegaly and enhanced susceptibility to infection. These mice demonstrate defects similar to individuals with a disease known as leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 (LAD-1).
 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 of these BALB/cJ-congenic mice could vary from that originally described on a B6;129S7 genetic background.

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CD18 KO mice may be useful for studying cell trafficking and, T cell development and activation.

Typically mice are recovered in 12-16 weeks. Contact Customer Service to place an order or for more information.

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