THE SCID MOUSE MUTANT - DEFINITION AND POTENTIAL USE AS A MODEL FOR IMMUNE AND HEMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Mice homozygous for a SCID mutation (SCID mice) are severely deficient in T and B lymphocytes. The absence of effector T and B cells has enc ouraged investigators to attempt engraftement of SCID mice with human fetal tissues, mature lymphocytes, hematopoietic progenitors and tumor s. SCID mice can be reconstituted with human lymphocytes and are of in terest for studying normal and abnormal lymphocyte develop ment and fu nction. SCID mice are also providing an in vivo model of infectious di seases. In addition, SCID mice readily support normal and pathologic h uman hematopoiesis differentiation and is useful for testing innovativ e hematological disease therapy. SCID mice with a fully functionnal hu man immune or hematopoietic system therefore seem to be extremely valu able for biomedical research.