C57BL/10 Targeted Mutation Mouse Strain that Develops Spontaneous Keratitis

Tech ID: 08-12

Summary
Research scientists at National Jewish Health have developed a C57BL/10 targeted mutation mouse strain that expresses defective T cell receptors and spontaneously develop keratitis.  Genes from mice of the C57BL/6 background, which carry existing genetically engineered mutations that prevent the development of γδ or αß T cells, were transferred onto the C57BL/10 background.

Potential Applications
· Animal model for keratitis where the development is spontaneous
· A model to test compounds developed to treat keratitis or influence angiogenesis

Advantages of Invention
B10.TCR δ -/- and B10-TCR ß-/- female mice show a high frequency of spontaneous keratitis.  The B10.TCR ß/δ -/- females have a lower incidence of spontaneous keratitis.

State of Development
To establish new C57BL/10 background mouse strains, ten or more backcrosses were carried out.  The B10.TCR δ -/- mice have defective T cell receptor-Cδ gene; the B10-TCR ß-/- mice have defective T cell receptor Cß gene.  These mice were intercrossed to establish the B10.TCR ß/δ -/- strain.

Publication
In process

Inventors
Rebecca O'Brien, PhD and Willi Born, PhD

For Further Information, Contact:
Emmanuel Hilaire, PhD
Licensing Associate
Intellectual Property & Technology Commercialization Program
National Jewish Health
1400 Jackson Street, Room M206b
Denver, CO 80206, USA
Voice: (303) 398-1262
Fax: (303) 270-2352
HilaireE@njc.org