HLA class-I-transgenic mice as model system to study MHC-restricted antigen recognition in man

In order to develop a possible animal model to study HLA linked diseases of man, we established HLA-B27 transgenic mice (TGM). As aberrant and overexpression of MHC molecules can be toxic for cells, we aimed at obtaining a physiological expression of the human antigen and used a genomic 25kb Sal I fragment for embryo injection, coding for the HLA-B* 2705 heavy chain. Five independent founder mice were obtained containing varying copies of the fragment (1 to 10). RNA analysis from different tissues showed an expression pattern similar to endogenous H-2 class I genes. HLA-B27 antigen could be detected on lymphocytes derived from all five founder mice, even in the absence of human beta 2-microglobulin (hu beta 2m). It was found that the presence of hu beta 2m strongly enhances HLA-B27 cell surface expression in mice with few copies of the transgene, but was not necessary for efficient and high cell surface presentation in the 10 copy line. In all HLA-B27 TGM lines, the HLA molecule functions as restriction element in anti-viral responses. In addition, we could show that T lymphocytes of the transgenic animals respond to the same HLA-B27 restricted influenza peptide as is recognized by human influenza-specific, HLA-B27 restricted cytotoxic T cell lines.