title: Gene knockout mice as investigative tools in pathophysiology.
abstract: An overview is given of the phenotype of mice with distinct deletions of genes for cytokines and some related proteins, which occur either naturally or as a result of homologous recombination. The use of such knockout mice for investigation of the pathophysiology of experimental disease is summarized. Understanding of the role of a given cytokine in pathogenesis has therapeutic implications, as the pathology may be prevented or attenuated by inhibition of the synthesis, release or activity of that cytokine.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ryffel
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout / Q000276:immunology*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D016207:Cytokines