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Regulatory T Cells pp 157–172Cite as

In Vivo Depletion of FoxP3+ Tregs Using the DEREG Mouse Model

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 707))

Abstract

In recent years, researchers have increasingly focused on the modulation of regulatory T cell (Treg) function to interfere with the outcome of virtually every type of immune response. For a long time, specific in vivo targeting of Tregs was precluded due to the lack of appropriate markers. Only after the discovery of Foxp3 as a Treg-specific transcription factor, was the development of Treg-specific mouse models feasible. We generated DEREG mice (DEpletion of REGulatory T cells), a BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) transgenic mouse line, which allows direct in vivo analysis and depletion of this exceedingly important cell type. Our DEREG mice carry a DTR-eGFP transgene under the control of an additional Foxp3 promoter, thereby allowing specific depletion of Treg by application of diphtheria toxin at any desired point of time during an ongoing immune response. This chapter will elaborate the advantages and disadvantages of employing different genetic approaches and discuss further parameters used in the studies focusing on employment of diphtheria toxin and its degree of general toxicity in mice. Additionally, we will address the question: to which extent DEREG mice are suitable for studying the effect of long-term Treg depletion during specific immune responses.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Katharina Lahl

  2. Institute of Infection Immunology, TWINCORE, Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany

    Tim Sparwasser

Authors
  1. Katharina Lahl
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  2. Tim Sparwasser
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Division of Immunoregulation, MRC National Institute for Medical Resea, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London, NW7 1AA, United Kingdom

    George Kassiotis

  2. , VIB Autoimmune Genetics Laboratory, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium

    Adrian Liston

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Lahl, K., Sparwasser, T. (2011). In Vivo Depletion of FoxP3+ Tregs Using the DEREG Mouse Model. In: Kassiotis, G., Liston, A. (eds) Regulatory T Cells. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 707. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61737-979-6_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61737-979-6_10

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-978-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61737-979-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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