LOU-nu rat
Immunodeficient rat for immunology and oncology research
Model characteristics
Type:
Inbred mutant rat
Strain name:
Lou-Foxn1rnu/Rj
Origin:
Institut Pasteur, Lille France, in 2008
Colour and related genotype:
Albino rat - a/a, Tyrc/Tyrc, h/h MHC : RT1u(Stephenson et al., 1985), contradiction: RT1w (Hashim et al., 1991)
Performance de reproduction :
Description of our model and application areas
In 1970, H. BAZIN and A. BECKERS began a breeding of LOU rats. From this breeding, 28 sublines were selected in parallel based on the plasmacytoma rate:
- LOU/C: high plasmacytoma rate
- LOU/M: low plasmacytoma rate
The autosomal recessive mutation is symbolized by the abbreviation **rnu** for Rowett nude. In 1993, the Pasteur Institute of Lille (IPL) decided to transfer the mutation to a LOU/M background through successive backcrossing. The spontaneous mutation **rnu** affects the Foxn1 gene (forkhead box N1) on chromosome 10, which codes for a transcription factor, Foxn1, also called Whn: **wingedhelix-nude**.
The Foxn1 gene regulates the expression of the keratin gene and plays a role in the growth and differentiation of thymic cells. The rnu mutation is associated with hairlessness and thymic aplasia:
- “Hairless” trait: The **Foxn1rnu/Foxn1rnu** rat has some short and fine hairs. Hair follicles are normal, but their keratinization is defective, and the hair does not grow.
- Immunological status: The main characteristic is congenital thymic aplasia. This deficiency results in the absence of T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes remain functional.
- Female nude rats have a defect in mammary gland development and are unable to nurse their offspring.
Main application and research fields
Comparative of immunodeficiency and phenotype in Nude mutants
Comparative of immunodeficiency and phenotype in Nude mutants
From an immunological point of view the strain is characterized by an absence of T cells. The level of B lymphocytes and NK cells is normal.
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