Killer cell Ig-like receptor and leukocyte Ig-like receptor transgenic mice exhibit tissue- and cell-specific transgene expression.
To generate an experimental model for exploring the function, expression pattern, and developmental regulation of human Ig-like activating and inhibitory receptors, we have generated transgenic mice using two human genomic clones: 52N12 (a 150-Kb clone encompassing the leukocyte Ig-like receptor (LILR)B1 (ILT2), LILRB4 (ILT3), and LILRA1 (LIR6) genes) and 1060P11 (a 160-Kb clone that contains ten killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) genes). Both the KIR and LILR families are encoded within the leukocyte receptor complex, and are involved in immune modulation. We have also produced a novel mAb to LILRA1 to facilitate expression studies. The LILR transgenes were expressed in a similar, but not identical, pattern to that observed in humans: LILRB1 was expressed in B cells, most NK cells, and a small number of T cells; LILRB4 was expressed in a B cell subset; and LILRA1 was found on a ring of cells surrounding B cell areas on spleen sections, consistent with other data showing monocyte/macrophage expression. KIR transgenic mice showed KIR2DL2 expression on a subset of NK cells and T cells, similar to the pattern seen in humans, and expression of KIR2DL4, KIR3DS1, and KIR2DL5 by splenic NK cells. These observations indicate that linked regulatory elements within the genomic clones are sufficient to allow appropriate expression of KIRs in mice, and illustrate that the presence of the natural ligands for these receptors, in the form of human MHC class I proteins, is not necessary for the expression of the KIRs observed in these mice.
Belkin
Danny
D
Immunology Division, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Torkar
Michaela
M
Chang
Chiwen
C
Barten
Roland
R
Tolaini
Mauro
M
Haude
Anja
A
Allen
Rachel
R
Wilson
Michael J
MJ
Kioussis
Dimitris
D
Trowsdale
John
J
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000075362:Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptor B1; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054343:Receptors, KIR2DL2; D054345:Receptors, KIR2DL4; D054349:Receptors, KIR3DS1; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019076:Transgenes / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; C515077:KIR2DL2 protein, human; C515079:KIR2DL4 protein, human; C105299:LILRB1 protein, human; D000075362:Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptor B1; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054343:Receptors, KIR2DL2; D054345:Receptors, KIR2DL4; D054349:Receptors, KIR3DS1