University of Massachusetts

The Jackson Laboratory

Dartmouth College

Dale L Greiner

Leonard D Shultz

Michael A Brehm

Mohit Kumar Verma

Randolph J Noelle

Teresa M Foy

Michael V Wiles

Aldo A Rossini

John P Mordes

Fiona H Durie

James Keck

David C Parker

A method of identifying anti-tumor activity of a test substance is provided along with a genetically-modified, immunodeficient mouse and methods of use, wherein the genetically-modified, immunodeficient mouse enables in vivo investigation of the interactions between the human immune system and human cancer.

Methods and models for assessing efficacy of immunotherapies

The present invention relates generally to genetically modified non-human animals and immunodeficient non-human animals characterized by restored complement-dependent cytotoxicity, as well as methods and compositions for assessment of therapeutic antibodies in the genetically modified immunodeficient non-human animals. In specific aspects, the present invention relates to immunodeficient non-obese diabetic (NOD), A/J, A/He, AKR, DBA/2, NZB/B1N, B10.D2/oSn and other mouse strains genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in the unmodified immunodeficient mice. In further specific aspects, the present invention relates to NOD.Cg-PrkdcIL2re/SzJ (NSG), NOD.Cg-Rag1Il2rg/SzJ (NRG) and NOD.Cg-PrkdcIl2rg/JicTac (NOG) mice genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in unmodified NSG, NRG and NOG mice. Methods for assessment of therapeutic antibodies or putative therapeutic antibodies in the genetically modified immunodeficient mice characterized by an intact complement system are provided according to specific aspects of the present invention.

Genetically modified non-human animals and methods relating to complement dependent cytotoxicity

A NOD.Cg-PrkdcH2rg/SzJ.(NOD-scid-IL2r&#x3b3;, NSG) mouse which is genetically modified such that the en NSG mouse lacks functional major histocompatibility complex I (MHC I) and lacks functional major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) is provided according to aspects of the present, invention. According to specific aspects the genetically modified NSG mouse, is a NOD.Cg-PrkdcH2-K1H2-Ab1H2-D1H2rg/SzJ (NSG-KD)(IA)) mouse, NSG-RIP-DTR (KD)(IA) mouse, or a NOD.Cg-B2mPrKdcH2H2rg/SzJ (NSG-B2M(IA IE)) mouse. Human, immune cells and/or human: tumor cells are administered to a genetically modified immunodeficient mouse according to aspects described herein and assays of one or more test substances can be performed using the provided mice.

NSG mice lacking MHC class I and class II

The present invention relates generally to genetically modified non-human animals and immunodeficient non-human animals characterized by restored complement-dependent cytotoxicity, as well as methods and compositions for assessment of therapeutic antibodies in the genetically modified immunodeficient non-human animals. In specific aspects, the present invention relates to immunodeficient non-obese diabetic (NOD), A/J, A/He, AKR, DBA/2, NZB/BIN, B10.D2/oSn and other mouse strains genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in the unmodified immunodeficient mice. In further specific aspects, the present invention relates to NOD.Cg-PrkdcIL2rg/SzJ (NSG), NOD.Cg-Rag1IL2rg/SzJ (NRG) and NOD.Cg-PrkdcIL2rg/JicTAc (NOG) mice genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in unmodified NSG, NRG and NOG mice. Methods for assessment of therapeutic antibodies or putative therapeutic antibodies in the genetically modified immunodeficient mice characterized by an intact complement system are provided according to specific aspects of the present invention.

Described herein are immunodeficient non-human animals lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by endogenous autogeneic innate immune cells, as well as methods and compositions for engraftment of xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the immunodeficient non-human animal lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), thereby creating an innate immune system in the animal derived from the xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells. Further described are immunodeficient mice lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 by endogenous autogeneic innate immune cells, as well as methods and compositions for engraftment of xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the immunodeficient mouse lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4, thereby creating an innate immune system in the animal derived from the xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells.

Genetically modified non-human animals and methods relating to innate immune system response detection

Transgenic immunodeficient non-human animals according to embodiments of the present invention are described which include in their genome a nucleic acid encoding xenogeneic Stem Cell Factor operably linked to a promoter. Administration of xenogeneic hematopoetic stem cells to the inventive transgenic animals results in engraftment of the xenogeneic hematopoetic stem cells and xenogeneic leukocytes are produced in the animals, without conditioning such as without conditioning by irradiation and without conditioning by a radiomimetic agent.

Transgenic non-human animal and methods for stem cell engraftment

Methods for inducing antigen-specific T cell tolerance are disclosed. The methods involve contacting a T cell with: 1) a cell which presents antigen to the T cell, wherein a ligand on the cell interacts with a receptor on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function; and 2) an antagonist of the receptor on the surface of the T cell which inhibits interaction of the ligand on the antigen presenting cell with the receptor on the T cell. In a preferred embodiment, the cell which presents antigen to the T cell is a B cell and the receptor on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function is gp39. Preferably, the antagonist is an anti-gp39 antibody or a soluble gp39 ligand (e.g., soluble CD40). The methods of the invention can be used to induce T cell tolerance to a soluble antigen or to an allogeneic cell. The methods of the invention can also be used to induce tolerance in cases of bone marrow transplantation and other organ transplants and to inhibit graft-versus-host disease.

Growing community of inventors

Hubbardston, MA, United States of America

Dale L Greiner