SIMPLIFIED METHOD OF IDENTIFYING SEVERE COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENT (SCID) MICE VERSUS NON-SCID MICE BY FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF PERIPHERAL-BLOOD

Several studies have utilized simple breeding strategies to create new immunodeficient mouse strains from severe combined immunodeficient (S CID) mice and non-SCID mice with secondary traits in order to evaluate the involvement of lymphocytes and immune responses in a variety of p rocesses. We utilized a breeding strategy with C.B-17scid/scid (SCID) (H-2(d)) mice and SJL (H-2(s)) mice to generate immunodeficient mice t hat were histocompatible with the inbred SJL strain (H-2(s)) in order to evaluate the role of histocompatible recipient lymphocytes in adopt ively transferred autoimmune disease mediated by SJL T lymphocytes. [S CID x SJL]F1 mice (heterozygous for H-2 loci and heterozygous for the SCID mutation) were backcrossed with SCID mice and the resulting offsp ring expressed a variety of phenotypes, including SCID or non-SCID and H-2(s)/H-2(d) or H-2(d)/H-2(d). In order to screen offspring for the desired phenotype (SCID, H-2(s)), a now cytometric method utilizing fo rward- and, side-scatter parameters of peripheral blood cells was used to distinguish SCID from non-SCID animals. This method simplified the screening process and was as reliable as anti-CDS fluorescent monoclo nal antibody staining for detecting the presence (non-SCID) or absence (SCID) of T lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Cytometry 32:274-279, 19 98. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.(dagger)