SCID mice
SCID mice (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency mice) are a type of laboratory mouse that is genetically engineered to lack an adaptive immune system. These mice are crucial in biomedical research, particularly in studies involving immunology, cancer, and infectious diseases.
Background[edit | edit source]
SCID mice were first discovered in 1983 as a result of a spontaneous mutation in a colony of BALB/c mice. The mutation affects the protein kinase, DNA activated, catalytic polypeptide (PRKDC) gene, which is essential for the development of functional B and T lymphocytes. As a result, SCID mice are unable to produce mature B and T cells, leading to a severely compromised immune system.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
SCID mice are characterized by their:
- Lack of functional B and T lymphocytes.
- Inability to mount an adaptive immune response.
- High susceptibility to infections.
- Usefulness in xenograft studies due to their inability to reject foreign tissues.
Applications in Research[edit | edit source]
SCID mice are invaluable in various fields of research:
Cancer Research[edit | edit source]
SCID mice are often used in cancer research to study tumor growth and metastasis. They allow for the engraftment of human tumor cells, enabling researchers to study human cancer biology in a living organism.
Infectious Disease Studies[edit | edit source]
Due to their immunodeficiency, SCID mice are used to study the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines and antimicrobial agents.
Immunology[edit | edit source]
SCID mice serve as models for studying the immune system, particularly in understanding the role of B and T cells in immune responses.
Gene Therapy[edit | edit source]
SCID mice are used in gene therapy research to test the safety and efficacy of gene transfer techniques aimed at correcting genetic defects.
Limitations[edit | edit source]
While SCID mice are a powerful tool in research, they have limitations:
- They are highly susceptible to opportunistic infections, requiring them to be housed in sterile environments.
- The lack of an immune system can sometimes lead to atypical disease progression compared to immunocompetent models.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
