Hematopoiesis and models of immunodeficiency

This review focuses on recessive mutations at three loci whose gene products play critical roles in the development and regulation of the murine immune system. These mutations are: severe combined immunodeficiency (scid), osteopetrosis (op), and motheaten (me). The scid mutation blocks differentiation of functional T and B lymphocytes and interferes with DNA repair processes in multiple cell lineages. The normal gene product at this locus performs a critical function during antigen receptor gene rearrangement as well as during repair of double stranded DNA damage. Homozygosity for op causes impaired development of osteoclasts and other macrophage lineage cells. The op mutation is within the macrophage colony stimulating factor (Csfm) structural gene. Deleterious alleles at the me locus affect lymphoid as well as myeloid cell populations, causing severe immunodeficiency accompanied by systemic autoimmune disease. Determination of the product of the wild type allele at the me locus and the mechanisms by which mutations at this locus disrupt the immune system may reveal important new immunoregulatory processes.