Development of functional human blood and immune systems in NOD/SCID/IL2 receptor γ chainnull mice

Abstract

Here we report that a new nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mouse line harboring a complete null mutation of the common cytokine receptor γ chain (NOD/SCID/interleukin 2 receptor [IL2r] γnull) efficiently supports development of functional human hemato-lymphopoiesis. Purified human (h) CD34+ or hCD34+hCD38– cord blood (CB) cells were transplanted into NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull newborns via a facial vein. In all recipients injected with 105 hCD34+ or 2 × 104 hCD34+hCD38– CB cells, human hematopoietic cells were reconstituted at approximately 70% of chimerisms. A high percentage of the human hematopoietic cell chimerism persisted for more than 24 weeks after transplantation, and hCD34+ bone marrow grafts of primary recipients could reconstitute hematopoiesis in secondary NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull recipients, suggesting that this system can support self-renewal of human hematopoietic stem cells. hCD34+hCD38– CB cells differentiated into mature blood cells, including myelomonocytes, dendritic cells, erythrocytes, platelets, and lymphocytes. Differentiation into each lineage occurred via developmental intermediates such as common lymphoid progenitors and common myeloid progenitors, recapitulating the steady-state human hematopoiesis. B cells underwent normal class switching, and produced antigen-specific immunoglobulins (Igs). T cells displayed the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–dependent cytotoxic function. Furthermore, human IgA-secreting B cells were found in the intestinal mucosa, suggesting reconstitution of human mucosal immunity. Thus, the NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull newborn system might be an important experimental model to study the human hemato-lymphoid system.