Tristetraprolin (TTP) Knockout Mice
License Status
- The mice will be made available on a non-exclusive basis under a Biological Materials License Agreement.
TTP knockout mice appear normal at birth but soon develop inflammatory arthritis, dermatitis, cachexia, autoimmunity, and myeloid hyperplasia. Almost all aspects of these phenotypes can be prevented with repeated injections of antibodies to TNF. Moreover, macrophages isolated from these mice exhibit increased production of TNF-alpha and increased amounts of TNF-alpha mRNA.
This transgenic mouse model will be valuable in advancing our understanding of the mechanisms controlling mRNA turnover in immune homeostasis as well as autoimmune diseases. This model will also permit the development of screening assays to elucidate the functions and binding partners for other members of the CCCH zinc finger family as well as compounds capable of inhibiting aberrant TNF-alpha and IL-2 biosynthesis. Lastly, this model will advance understanding of the pathogenetic role for IL-2 and/or TNF in various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.