Koller BH, Marrack P, Kappler JW, Smithies O:
Normal development of mice deficient in beta 2M, MHC class I
proteins, and CD8+ T cells.
Science 1990 Jun 8;248(4960):1227-30
ABSTRACT
Major histocompatibility class I proteins display viral and self
antigens to potentially responsive cells and are important for the
maturation of T cells; beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M) is required
for their normal expression. Mouse chimeras derived from embryonic
stem cells with a disrupted beta 2M gene transmitted the inactivated
gene to their progeny. Animals homozygous for the mutated beta 2M
gene were obtained at expected frequencies after further breeding.
The homozygotes appeared normal, although no class I antigens could
be detected on their cells and the animals are grossly deficient in
CD4- CD8+ T cells, which normally mediate cytotoxic T cell function.
