Tcl1 Transgenic Mice

Background

TCL1 is a protooncogene overexpressed in many mature B cell lymphomas. TCL1 is also expressed in precursor T cells and absent by the CD4+ CD8+ stage of thymocyte development. In B cells, TCL1 is first expressed in pro-B cells, and is completely absent in memory B cells and plasma cells.

Innovation

UCLA researchers have developed a murine model in which a TCL1 transgene is overexpressed in both B and T cells. These transgenic mice develop Burkitt-like lymphoma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma at 4 months. This phenotype is accompanied by attendant Bcl-6 expression and mutated JH antibody gene segments. Interestingly, TCL1 is a more powerful initiator of B cell malignancies when compared to the low frequency of T cell malignancies with this model. This is mirrored in humans as >85% of human immune system malignancies are B cell derived.

Applications

• Mouse model for immune system malignancies in B, T and granulocytes cells.
• Mouse model for B-cell selection, development, maturation, antibody production and signaling responses through PI3-kinase pathways.
• Mouse model for designing therapeutics against B-cell malignancies and preventing autoantibody production in autoimmune diseases.

Related Materials

• Dysregulated TCL1 Promotes Multiple Classes of Mature B Cell Lymphoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2002)

Other Information

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