TRANSGENIC ANIMALS EXPRESSING DIABETOGENIC T-CELL RECEPTOR TRANSGENES

摘要

This invention relates generally to transgenic animal models useful in testingagents for inhibition of CD4 + and/or CD8+T-cell destruction of pancreaticbeta cells. In particular, it relates to transgenic mice which have T-cellreceptor .alpha. and/or .beta. chain genes derived from beta cell cytotoxicCD4 + or CD8 + T cells in their genome. The present invention also relates tomethods of making T-cell-receptor transgenic animals developing early-onsetdiabetes, and to methods of evaluating agents for the prevention and treatmentof insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.