Functional human CD4 protein produced in milk of transgenic mice

The soluble form of human CD4, an HIV receptor molecule first detected on the surface of T cells, binds glycoprotein gp120, a coat protein of human immunodeficiency virus, and has potential value for the treatment of AIDS. As a first step toward providing the necessary quantities of this protein at an affordable price we report here on the production of functional, soluble human CD4 in transgenic mice. In these animals, a regulatory region derived from a murine gene encoding the whey acidic protein directs synthesis of human CD4 protein to the mammary gland of lactating animals where it is secreted into milk.