TRANSGENIC ANIMALS EXPRESSING DIABETOGENIC T-CELL RECEPTOR TRANSGENES

摘要

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