METHOD OF EXPANDING HUMAN HEPATOCYTES IN VIVO

摘要

Described herein is a method of expanding human hepatocytes in vivo using an immunodeficient mouse which is further deficient in fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah). The method comprises transplanting human hepatocytes into the immunodeficient and Fah-deficient mice, allowing the hepatocytes to expand and collecting the expanded human hepatocytes. The method also allows serial transplantation of the human hepatocytes into secondary, tertiary, quaternary or additional mice. Also provided are mutant mice comprising homozygous deletions or point mutations in the Fah, Rag2 and Il2rg genes.