HLA class II transgenic mice as models of human diseases

V Taneja, CS David - Immunological reviews, 1999 - Wiley Online Library
V Taneja, CS David
Immunological reviews, 1999Wiley Online Library
Predisposition co develop Various autoimmune disorders has been associated with certain
HLA class II molecules but there is a lack of information on che pathophysiological rule of
HLA genes in conferring susceptibility Various experimental animal models of autoimmune
disease have been studied to address the role of immune response genes. To study the
interactions involved between class II molecules (DQ and DR) and define the immunologic
mechanisms in various diseases, we generated HLA‐DR and DQ transgenic mice that …
Summary
Predisposition co develop Various autoimmune disorders has been associated with certain HLA class II molecules but there is a lack of information on che pathophysiological rule of HLA genes in conferring susceptibility Various experimental animal models of autoimmune disease have been studied to address the role of immune response genes. To study the interactions involved between class II molecules (DQ and DR) and define the immunologic mechanisms in various diseases, we generated HLA‐DR and DQ transgenic mice that lacked endogenous class II molecules. The HLA molecules in these mice arc expressed on the cell surface and can positively select CD4+ T cells expressing Various Vβ T‐cell receptors (TCR). A peripheral tolerance is maintained co transgenic HLA molecules thus indicating that these molecules act as self, Mouse co stimulatory and accessory molecules can interact with the HLA‐peptide‐TCR complex leading to efficient T‐cell activation. In this review, we describe immunogenetic models for human diseases using these transgenic mice. Our studies show that HLA class II transgene‐restricted T cells recognize the immunodominant antigens and peptide epitopes, similar to HLA class II‐restricted human T cells. Thus these mice provide powerful tools to understand the role of HLA class II molecules in predisposition and onset of human diseases and to develop immunotherapy and vaccines.
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