The SCID/Beige mouse as a model to investigate protection against Yersiniapestis

In this study, we have shown that severe combined immunodeficient/beige mic e reconstituted with hyperimmune Balb/c lymphocytes can be used as a model to demonstrate adoptive and passive protection against plague infection. Re constitution of severe combined immunodeficient/beige mice was successful i n nine out of ten mice as demonstrated by spleen colonisation and sustained circulating immunoglobulin titres. Furthermore, an increase in antibody ti tre was evident after a booster immunisation of reconstituted mice. Presenc e of circulating antibody correlated with protection against a systemic pla gue challenge and indicated that in reconstituted mice adoptive transfer of a functional immune system had occurred. The severe combined immunodeficie nt/beige mouse was also used to demonstrate passive protection against inha led and systemic plague infection. The reconstituted severe combined immuno deficient/beige mouse model demonstrating protective immunity against plagu e will be further developed to identify the immune cell subsets responsible for this protection. (C) 1999 Federation of European Microbiological Socie ties. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. Ail rights reserved.