TRAF3 was found as a protein that binds to the cytoplasmic tail of CD4
0 but is part of a family of proteins with common structure and activi
ty. To clarify the physiological roles of TRAF3, we introduced a TRAF3
null mutation in mice through homologous recombination. TRAF3-deficie
nt mice appear normal at birth but become progressively runted, correl
ating with progressive hypoglycemia and depletion of peripheral white
cells. The mutant mice die by 10 days of age. Fetal liver cells from T
RAF3-deficient embryos can reconstitute all hematopoietic lineages in
lethally irradiated mice. However, these reconstituted mice are impair
ed in their immune responses to T-dependent antigen, and their T cells
are functionally defective. These findings indicate that TRAF3 is req
uired for postnatal development and for a competent immune system.