Humanized mice for immune system investigation: progress, promise and challenges

LD Shultz, MA Brehm, JV Garcia-Martinez… - Nature Reviews …, 2012 - nature.com
LD Shultz, MA Brehm, JV Garcia-Martinez, DL Greiner
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2012nature.com
Significant advances in our understanding of the in vivo functions of human cells and tissues
and the human immune system have resulted from the development of'humanized'mouse
strains that are based on severely immunodeficient mice with mutations in the interleukin-2
receptor common γ-chain locus. These mouse strains support the engraftment of a functional
human immune system and permit detailed analyses of human immune biology,
development and functions. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in the development …
Abstract
Significant advances in our understanding of the in vivo functions of human cells and tissues and the human immune system have resulted from the development of 'humanized' mouse strains that are based on severely immunodeficient mice with mutations in the interleukin-2 receptor common γ-chain locus. These mouse strains support the engraftment of a functional human immune system and permit detailed analyses of human immune biology, development and functions. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in the development and utilization of humanized mice, the lessons learnt, the remaining challenges and the promise of using humanized mice for the in vivo study of human immunology.
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