A neo cassette replaces exon 3 of the ecto-5' nucleotidase (Nt5e) gene, abolishing CD73 enzyme activity. A shorter transcript is produced at about 10% of WT levels, but no functional protein is detectable. Nt5e encodes Cd73, a membrane-bound glycoprotein expressed on many cell types including subsets of T and B lymphocytes including regulator T cell (Tregs), endothelial cells, and mesenchymal cells. CD73 can hydrolyze nucleoside monophosphates, such as AMP, into bioactive intermediates like adenosine. CD73-generated adenosine activates transmembrane adenosine receptors and can act as either a pro- or anti-inflammatory mediator. Adenosine also regulates endothelial permeability, platelet activation, leukocyte adhesion, and lymphocyte migration into draining lymph nodes after an inflammatory stimulus. CD73-dependent adenosine receptor signaling protects mice during renal ischemia and inhibits vascular leakage during hypoxia. CD73 inhibits antitumor immune responses and is tolerogenic for cardiac and airway allografts. Homozygous CD73-/- mice are viable and fertile. Under hypoxic conditions, CD73-deficient mice on the B6.129S1 background exhibit increased vascular leakage and display increased edema in all organs except the brain. CD73 deficient mice on the B6.129S1 background are protected from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The severity of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) is increased in these mice, as are anti-tumor immune responses. These CD73-deficient mice on the congenic BALB/c background may be used with the 4T1 metastatic mammary tumor cell line. 
 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. This is the case for the strain above. It should be noted that the phenotype could vary from that originally described. We will modify the strain description if necessary as published results become available.

These mice may be useful when studying CD73-generated adenosine receptor signaling and antitumor immune responses.

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