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 t he immunodeficient and Fah-deficient mice, allowing the hepatocytes to expan d and collecting the expanded human hepatocytes. The method also allows seri al transplantation of the human hepatocytes into secondary, tertiary, quater nary or additional mice. Also provided are mutant mice comprising homozygous deletions or point mutations in the Fah, Rag2 and 112rg genes.