The use of human leucocyte antigen class I transgenic mice to investigate human immune function

HLA class I transgenic mice are a powerful research tool which have been us ed as models for human immune responses. This review describes the generati on of the different HLA class I transgenic mice, the techniques used to imp rove expression of the transgene and use of the transgene product in immune responses. It also illustrates how HLA class I transgenic mice have provid ed insights into the nature of the allogeneic and xenogeneic response, the generation of CTL responses, the development of autoimmune diseases, and th eir use for the generation of anti-HLA class I antibodies. Despite these ad vances, the use of available HLA class I transgenic mice as models for huma n disease and immune responses has been limited. The development of new tra nsgenic strains incorporating multiple human transgenes may allow the poten tial of HLA class I transgenic mice to be realised. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.