Transgenic Human Interleukin-21 Mouse Model

Available for licensing is a mouse model that constitutively expresses human interleukin-21 (IL-21). Traditionally, human IL-21 transgenic mouse models are difficult to produce as those with high IL-21 levels exhibit growth retardation and die before sexual maturity. The investigators generated transgenic mice that express human IL-21, which can stimulate murine cells in vitro thereby providing an accurate model to elucidate IL-21's role in immunity, immune disorders, and cancer.

IL-21 is a type I cytokine whose receptor is expressed on T, B, and natural killer cells. IL-21 has pleiotropic actions ranging from augmenting the proliferation of T cells to driving the differentiation of B cells into memory cells and terminally differentiated plasma cells. Moreover, IL-21 has anti-tumor activity by augmenting natural killer cell activity. This mouse model allows studying human IL-21 in vivo and its role in a variety of diseases such as autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, allergy, and cancer.

Potential Commercial Applications:		Competitive Advantages:
Model to study human IL-21 in vivo Research tool to elucidate IL-21's role in T, B, and natural killer cell function and regulating antibody production Model to study IL-21's pathology in autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, allergy, and cancer		Mouse model that constitutively expresses human IL-21, without the negative side effects of growth retardation and high toxicity present in other human IL-21 transgenic mice.

Development Stage:

• Pre-clinical
• In vivo data available (animal)

Related Invention(s):
E-120-2003-1
E-211-2002-1
E-120-2003-2


Inventors:

Warren Leonard (NHLBI)  ➽ more inventions...

Katsutoshi Ozaki


Intellectual Property:
Research Tool — Patent protection is not being pursued for this technology.

Publications:
Ozaki K, et al. PMID 15494482

Licensing Contact:
Michael Shmilovich, J.D.
Email: shmilovm@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-5019

OTT Reference No: E-231-2010-0
Updated: Jan 18, 2012