PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Mice, Mutant Strains”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Surfactant protein B inhibits endotoxin-induced lung inflammation.

Transgenic mice, in which the level of surfactant protein (SP)-B mature peptide varied 5.6-fold between SP-B(+/-) and SP-B-overexpressing lines (SP-B+/+/+), were used to test the hypothesis that SP-B protects against endotoxin-induced lung inflammation. Intratracheal administration of endotoxin resulted in significantly lower concentration of SP-B mature peptide and elevated levels of total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of SP-B(+/-) mice compared with SP-B-overexpressing mice, indicating that endotoxin treatment leads to impairment of SP-B expression coincident with increased lung injury in SP-B(+/-) mice. Recruitment of inflammatory cells and elaboration of proinflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were reduced in SP-B-overexpressing mice compared with SP-B(+/-) mice, suggesting that SP-B inhibited endotoxin-induced lung inflammation. Lung compliance and tissue damping were significantly decreased in SP-B(+/+) and SP-B(+/-) mice, but were not changed in SP-B(+/+/+) mice, consistent with a protective effect of SP-B. The minimum surface tension of large aggregate surfactant was significantly lower for surfactant isolated from SP-B-overexpressing mice, both in the absence and the presence of added plasma proteins. These data suggest that SP-B protected against endotoxin-induced lung inflammation by enhancing surfactant function, resulting in reduced lung injury, decreased influx of inflammatory cells, and lower cytokine levels; in contrast, levels of SP-B in SP-B(+/-) mice were further decreased by endotoxin treatment, likely exacerbating lung injury in this group.

Animals↗

A soluble form of the murine common gamma chain is present at high concentrations in vivo and suppresses cytokine signaling.

The common gamma-chain (gammac) is a component of the receptors for IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 and is essential for their signal transduction. Western blotting and a newly established enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detected substantial constitutive levels (50-250 ng/mL) of soluble gammac (sgammac) in sera of murine inbred strains. It was demonstrated that purified immune cells, such as T, B, and natural killer cells, and macrophages released this protein after activation. Transfection experiments with cDNA encoding the full-length gammac showed that shedding of the transmembrane receptor led to the release of sgammac. The shedding enzymes, however, appeared to be distinct from those cleaving other cytokine receptors because inhibitors of metalloproteases (eg, TAPI) did not influence sgammac release. In vivo, superantigen-induced stimulation of T cells enhanced sgammac serum concentrations up to 10-fold within 6 hours. Because these findings demonstrated regulated expression of a yet unknown molecule in the immune response, further experiments were performed to assess the possible function(s) of sgammac. A physiological role of sgammac was indicated by its capacity to specifically inhibit cell growth induced by gammac-dependent cytokines. Mutational analysis revealed that the C-terminus and the WSKWS motif are essential for the cytokine inhibitory effect of the sgammac and for binding of the molecule to cytokine receptor-expressing cells. Thus, competitive displacement of the transmembrane gammac by excess sgammac is the most likely mechanism of cell growth inhibition. It was implied that naturally produced sgammac is a negative modulator of gammac-dependent cytokines.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Ames dwarf mice exhibit somatotrope commitment but lack growth hormone-releasing factor response.

Ames dwarf mice have a recessive defect that results in affected mice (df/df) with extremely hypocellular anterior pituitaries that generally lack somatotropes, lactotropes, and thyrotropes. We report detection of rare foci of GH+ cells by immunocytochemistry, suggesting that some commitment to a somatotrope cell fate can occur in the pituitaries of df/df mice. A role for GHRF in regulating somatotrope proliferation is well documented. It has been shown that expression of human GHRF (hGHRF) in transgenic mice resulted in increased somatic growth and somatotrope hyperplasia over nontransgenic littermates. To assess whether overexpression of GHRF during ontogeny might elicit a physiological response in df/df mice, we generated df/df mice expressing the hGhrf transgene. Although the somatic growth of transgenic df heterozygotes was dramatically increased over that of nontransgenic littermates, df/df mice were refractory to excess GHRF. No GHRF receptor (Grfr) transcripts were detectable in df/df fetuses or adult mice by in situ hybridization analysis. In contrast, Grfr expression is detected by e16.5 in df/+ mice. The lack of Grfr expression in df/df fetuses may account for their lack of response to GHRF and implies that the df gene product is required before e16.5.

Animals↗

Human embryonic stem cells and their differentiated derivatives are less susceptible to immune rejection than adult cells.

Differentiated cell types derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) may serve in the future to treat various human diseases. A crucial step toward their successful clinical application is to examine the immune response that might be launched against them after transplantation. We used two experimental platforms to examine the in vivo leukocyte response toward hESCs. First, immunocompetent and immunodeficient mouse strains were used to identify T cells as the major component that causes xenorejection of hESCs. Second, mice that were conditioned to carry peripheral blood leukocytes from human origin were used to test the human leukocyte alloresponse toward undifferentiated and differentiated hESCs. Using this model, we have detected only a minute immune response toward undifferentiated as well as differentiated hESCs over the course of 1 month, although control adult grafts were repeatedly infiltrated with lymphocytes and destroyed. Our data show that the cells evade immune destruction due to a low immunostimulatory potential. Nevertheless, a human cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone that was specifically prepared to recognize two hESC lines could lyse the cells after major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) induction. Although MHC-I levels in hESCs are sufficient for rejection by cytotoxic T cells, our data suggest that the immunostimulatory capacity of the cells is very low. Thus, immunosuppressive regimens for hESC-based therapeutics could be highly reduced compared with conventional organ transplantation because direct allorejection processes of hESCs and their derivatives are considerably weaker.

Animals↗

Direct evidence of the importance of stromal urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in the growth of an experimental human breast cancer using a combined uPA gene-disrupted and immunodeficient xenograft model.

Several studies have indicated an interaction between tumor cells and infiltrating stromal cells regarding the urokinase plasminogen activation (uPA) system. By developing combined uPA gene-disrupted and immunodeficient mice, we have studied the role of stromal uPA for the growth of the MDA-MB-435 BAG human tumor xenograft. Subcutaneous tumor growth and lung metastasis were compared between wild-type immunodeficient mice and mice with the combined deficiencies. Tumor growth was evaluated by volume measurements and plasma beta-galactosidase activity and metastasis was evaluated by counting lung surface metastases. Although no differences appeared in primary tumor take between the two groups of mice, a significant difference was observed in primary tumor growth, with tumors in uPA-/- mice growing significantly more slowly. In addition, a nonsignificant trend toward fewer lung metastases in uPA-/- mice was observed. The present data points to a critical role of stromal-derived uPA in the primary tumor growth of MDA-MB-435 BAG xenografts, whereas only a trend toward fewer lung metastases in uPA gene-disrupted mice was found.

Animals↗

The influence of genetic background on spontaneous and genetically engineered mouse models of complex diseases.

In recent years, the use of genetically altered mice as models of complex human disease has revolutionized biomedical research into the genetics of disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions. Whether a mouse expresses a spontaneous or induced mutation, it is critical to remember that the observed phenotype is not always the direct result of the genetic alteration. The author points out the importance of considering the genetic background of the strain used to create these important models.

Animals↗

Interleukin-6 in autoimmune disorders.

Interleukin-6, a pleiotropic cytokine, appears to play a key role as a physiologically functioning molecule in host defense mechanisms. Previous reports have suggested that dysregulated interleukin-6 production may be involved in lymph node hyperplasia, plasmacytosis, immunoglobulin hyperproduction, thrombocytosis, mesangial cell proliferation and acute phase response, all of which are frequently observed in autoimmune disorders. In this report, we discuss the possible involvement of interleukin-6 in the pathogenesis of a variety of autoimmune diseases and the regulatory mechanism of expression of the interleukin-6 gene.

Animals↗

Interleukin-2, a pro-autoimmune lymphokine that interferes with post-deletional tolerance.

Various complementary mechanisms arranged in a fail-safe hierarchy impede the immune system from launching auto-aggressive attacks, namely intrathymic or post-thymic clonal deletion, anergy, and immunosuppression. Both epidemiological and clinical evidence demonstrates that interleukin-2 (IL-2) may exert a pro-autoimmune effect. Thus, IL-2 reverses immunological tolerance in determined in vitro or in vivo circumstances, is produced at abnormally high levels in certain autoimmune diseases, and induces organ-specific autoimmune lesions when administered to patients. To unravel the molecule and cellular mechanisms responsible for the pro-autoimmune nature of IL-2, our group has employed a recombinant hIL-2 vaccinia virus construct (IL-2. VV) as a self-replicating IL-2-releasing device that may be administered as a source of exogenous IL-2 to experimentally manipulated mice. IL-2 does not interfere with clonal deletion of potentially autoreactive T cells in the thymus since application of IL-2. VV to young mice fails to augment the frequency of T cells bearing 'forbidden' T cell receptor (TCR) V beta gene products (i.e. T cells that recognize endogenous retroviral superantigens). Along the same line, IL-2. VV does not reverse the clonal deletion in male mice bearing a male-specific transgenic alpha/beta TCR that undergo depletion of CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes, nor does it abolish post-thymic clonal deletion of V beta 8+ T cells reactive with the bacterial superantigen Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). In contrast with its incapability to abolish intra- and post-thymic elimination of T cells with unwarranted specificities, IL-2 abrogates anergy of T cells. Non-deleted, 'forbidden' T cells from congenitally athymic or neonatally thymectomized mice, under normal circumstances anergic, become responsive to TCR-triggering and mediate a systemic autoimmune syndrome upon IL-2. VV treatment. Thus, IL-2 appears to interfere with T cell tolerance at a post-deletional stage, reversing functional non-responsiveness and enabling non-deleted T cells that bear a potentially autoreactive TCR repertoire to cause manifest autoimmunity.

Animals↗

[Genetic resistance to rabies infection. Trial of demonstrating the heritability of resistance to the infection (preliminary evaluation on a murine model)].

A model in mice was developed in order to check if a resistance against rabies could be naturally and genetically selected in a line of mammals. A more resistant strain of mice (DBA/2) was identified. However, up to present, all attempts have failed in view to create a resistant strain of swiss mice in breeding individuals surviving to rabies infection.

Animals↗

Inhibition of the growth of Lewis lung carcinoma by indomethacin in conventional, nude, and beige mice.

The effects of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, indomethacin (Indo), on the growth of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) growing as primary subcutaneous tumors in either conventional C57BL/6 mice, T cell deficient nude mice, or natural killer (NK) cell deficient beige mice were studied. In conventional mice, Indo, when continuously administered in the drinking water, consistently and significantly inhibited, in a dose-related fashion, the growth of LLC implanted either subcutaneously in the footpad or in the inguinal region; however, the degree of inhibition of footpad tumor appeared to be greater than that of inguinal tumor. Maximum inhibition was found when Indo was initiated before detectable or measurable tumor developed. If Indo treatment was initiated after tumor growth was evident, then Indo was found to be less effective, although significant inhibition was still observed. Indo also effectively inhibited LLC growing either in the footpad or in the inguinal region of nude or beige mice. The degree of inhibition of both footpad and inguinal tumors in both these mice was comparable to that seen in conventional C57BL/6 mice, indicating that mature T cells, NK cells, or soluble products produced only by these cells are not involved in mediating or modulating the inhibitory effects of Indo on LLC growth. Although Indo treatment significantly inhibited LLC growth in vivo, continuous treatment of cultured LLC cells with Indo in vitro did not decrease the growth of cultured cells. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of Indo in vivo is not the result of a direct inhibitory effect of Indo on these tumor cells. Lastly, this inhibitory effect of Indo in vivo could not be reversed or negated, not even in part, by the simultaneous, daily i.p. administration of 16,16-dimethyl-PGE2. This finding suggests that the inhibitory effect of Indo involves a mechanism other than the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production.

16,16-Dimethylprostaglandin E2↗

Concomitant immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin G1 formation in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-infected mice.

The immunoglobulin (Ig)E, IgG subclass, and IgM formation in vivo and in vitro were measured by radioimmunoassays in normal and immunodeficient mice infected with the parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nbr). High IgE responder mice had higher IgE serum levels than low responder mice both before (100 to 250 vs 2 to 20 ng of IgE/ml) and after (17,000 to 27,000 vs 1,000 to 5,000 ng of IgE/ml) infection. In vitro, mesenteric lymph node cells formed 5- to 10-fold more IgE than the spleen cells. Nu/nu mice had less than 1 ng before and 5 ng of IgE/ml serum after Nbr infection; no IgE was detectable in cell supernatants. There was no difference in the in vivo and in vitro IgE formation between C57BL/6 and C57BL/6-beige mice. Both in vivo and in vitro Nbr-infected Xid+ mice (CBA/N; (CBA/N X BALB/c) F1 male) formed approximately twice the amount of IgE than Xid- mice. Concomitant with the rise of the IgE serum levels, the IgG1 serum level increased by 100 to 1,500 micrograms/ml over preinfection levels in all strains except nu/nu+ mice. The IgM serum level increased by 100 to 500 micrograms/ml. In contrast, the IgG2a and IgG2b levels decreased in most strains, and the IgG3 levels remained unchanged. Nu/nu+ mice showed an increase of all IgG subclasses after Nbr infection. The antibodies to an Nbr extract were predominantly of IgM and IgG1, except in SJL mice which also had IgG2b and nude mice which only had IgM antibodies. The concomitant increase of IgE and IgG1 formation in all but the nude strains suggests that the regulation of these two Ig isotypes may be linked via regulatory T helper cells, which corroborates recent data on the simultaneous induction of IgG1 and IgE synthesis in vitro by the B cell stimulatory factor 1.

Animals↗

Ly-5 molecular forms in congenitally immunodeficient mice.

Four different molecular weight forms of the Ly-5 antigen were defined by immunochemical methods on the cell surface of murine spleen cells using a monoclonal antibody. Each form was selectively expressed by cells belonging to different lineages. A 220,000-dalton molecule was associated with B cells, a 200,000-dalton molecule with macrophages and two antigens of 185,000 and 175,000 daltons, respectively, were detected on the cell surface of normal thymocytes. The 185,000-dalton Ly-5 molecule was not found on the lymphoid cells of immunodeficient mice, like the athymic nude or the athymic-asplenic (LASAT) mice, suggesting that cells bearing this Ly-5 molecule have a significant function in some T-dependent immune responses.

Animals↗

In wap-ras transgenic mice, tumor phenotype but not cyclophosphamide-sensitivity is affected by genetic background.

Male wap-ras transgenic mice develop adenocarcinomas in salivary and/or mammary tissue by age 1 year. When the wap-ras transgene was bred into the FVB/N strain, males developed multiple mammary tumors between 1.5 and 3 mo. of age, but no salivary tumors. Crosses between ras/FVB mice and other strains produced moderate changes in mammary tumor onset and severity, but no salivary tumors. Histopathological analysis of 62 adenocarcinomas from 18 mice yielded: 14 tumors with areas of squamous metaplasia, many tumors with epithelium-lined cysts, few immune cells in tumors, and no lung metastases. Cyclophosphamide delayed tumor onset and inhibited the growth of established tumors. Our results suggest that wap-ras mice will be useful for studying ras-mediated tumor genetics and should be a good assay system for both preventative and curative anticancer therapies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A subclass of dendritic cells regulates the response of naive CD8 T cells by limiting their IL-2 production.

Previous work indicated that a subclass of mouse spleen dendritic cells (DC), those bearing CD8alpha, expresses the Fas ligand and restricts peripheral CD4 T cell responses by initiating Fas-mediated apoptosis. To determine whether a similar regulation applies to CD8 T cells, they were purified from normal or from TCR-transgenic mice, and then cultured with purified splenic CD8+ DC or CD8- DC presenting either alloantigens or the specific Ag for the TCR transgene. In all systems studied, the proliferative response of CD8 T cells was markedly less on stimulation with CD8+ DC compared with conventional CD8- DC. However, the basis of this restricted proliferation in response to CD8+ DC was totally different for CD8 T cells than for CD4 T cells. The reduced proliferation of CD8 T cells occurred later in the response than with CD4 T cells. In contrast with CD4 T cells, the reduced proliferation of CD8 T cells occurred even with T cells from Fas-deficient Ipr mice, or with DC from Fas ligand-deficient gld mice, indicating that Fas-induced apoptosis was not involved. Also, in contrast with CD4 T cells, the reduced proliferation of CD8 T cells was completely reversed by the addition of exogenous IL-2. Furthermore, cultures of CD8 T cells with CD8+ DC were found to be deficient in IL-2 production. Accordingly, although CD8+ DC are very efficient at stimulating CD8 T cells into cell division, they are deficient at stimulating endogenous cytokine production. The implications of these different DC regulatory systems are discussed.

Animals↗

Hypolipidemia in a mutant strain of "acatalasemic" mice.

Mutant "acatalasemicm" mice have an unstable catalase in hepatic and renal peroxisomnes that is readily degraded, apparently into peroxidase subunits. The hypothesis that an in situ cataloperoxidase would affect serum lipids was tested in these mutants and serum triglycerides and cholesterol were found to be significantly lower than in the wild strain. This finding is in accordance with reports that a hypolipidemic response to the injection of peroxidase subunits of hepatic catalase occurs in humans and rabbits.

Age Factors↗

Enzymatic properties of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV produced by the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and its participation in virulence.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major pathogen associated with adult periodontitis. We cloned and sequenced the gene (dpp) coding for dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DPPIV) from P. gingivalis W83, based on the amino acid sequences of peptide fragments derived from purified DPPIV. An Escherichia coli strain overproducing P. gingivalis DPPIV was constructed. The enzymatic properties of recombinant DPPIV purified from the overproducer were similar to those of DPPIV isolated from P. gingivalis. The three amino acid residues Ser, Asp, and His, which are thought to form a catalytic triad in the C-terminal catalytic domain of eukaryotic DPPIV, are conserved in P. gingivalis DPPIV. When each of the corresponding residues of the enzyme was substituted with Ala by site-directed mutagenesis, DPPIV activity significantly decreased, suggesting that these three residues of P. gingivalis DPPIV are involved in the catalytic reaction. DPPIV-deficient mutants of P. gingivalis were constructed and subjected to animal experiments. Mice injected with the wild-type strain developed abscesses to a greater extent and died more frequently than those challenged with mutant strains. Mice injected with the mutants exhibited faster recovery from the infection, as assessed by weight gain and the rate of lesion healing. This decreased virulence of mutants compared with the parent strain suggests that DPPIV is a potential virulence factor of P. gingivalis and may play important roles in the pathogenesis of adult periodontitis induced by the organism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗