Athymic mouse

Athymic mouse is a type of laboratory mouse that is genetically modified to lack a thymus. This results in the mouse having a severely compromised immune system due to a lack of T cells. Athymic mice are often referred to as "nude" mice due to their lack of hair.

History

The first athymic mouse was discovered in 1962 at the Ruchill Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland. The mouse was found to be hairless, which led to further investigation and the discovery of its lack of a thymus. Since then, athymic mice have been used extensively in scientific research.

Characteristics

Athymic mice are characterized by their lack of hair and a severely compromised immune system. They lack a thymus, which is a lymphoid organ where T cells mature. This results in the mouse having a lack of T cells, which are crucial for the immune response. Athymic mice are also characterized by their large ears and eyes, and their skin is often pink due to the lack of hair.

Use in Research

Due to their compromised immune system, athymic mice are often used in research where a functioning immune system would interfere with the results. This includes research into cancer, where the mice are used to grow human tumors for study. They are also used in research into autoimmune diseases, where the lack of an immune response allows for the study of the disease without the interference of the immune system.

Care and Handling

Athymic mice require special care due to their lack of an immune system. They must be kept in sterile conditions to prevent infection, and handlers must take precautions to avoid transmitting any pathogens to the mice. Despite these challenges, athymic mice are a valuable tool in scientific research due to their unique characteristics.

See Also

• Laboratory mouse
• Immunodeficiency
• Thymus
• T cell