MHC class-I transgenic mice

Abstract

The introduction of cloned genes into the germline of mice has been proven to be a powerful tool to investigate the role of the respective gene products within the immune system. Here we summarize the transgenic mouse models that have been established with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I genes. Foreign class-I alleles can be expressed in transgenic mice according to their normal expression patterns as authentic self molecules and can function in T-cell responses in the same way as endogenous class-I molecules. Since this is also true for most of the introduced human HLA class-I alleles, there is great interest in establishing mouse models for HLA-linked diseases. A new field of experimental approaches concerning self-tolerance has been opened by tissue specific expression of MHC antigens under specific promoters. Besides negative selection in the thymus, peripheral mechanisms could be identified that induce and maintain self-tolerance.