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MFG-E8 KO mouse

RIKEN BRC November 2006
Mouse of the Month
MFG-E8 KO mouse
A Model for Autoimmune Disease

BRC No. 01726_MFG-E8 Knockout mouse
Targeted mutation:MFG-E8, Chr 7
Gene Symbol:Mfge8 (OMIM602281)
Research Application:Immunology and Inflammation Research

BRC No. 01726_MFG-E8 Knockout mouse
Autoantibody production in MFG-E8-deficient mice
The titers of the anti-dsDNA and ANA in the serum of mice (W; wild-type, and K; MFG-E8-/- mice) at the age of 10 or 40 weeks (w).

 

    Apoptotic cells are rapidly uptaken by macrophages. This process is essential to prevent inflammation and the autoimmune response against intracellular antigens released from dying cells. Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) is a protein that specifically binds to apoptotic cells and enhance the uptake of apoptotic cells by macrophages. The MFG-E8 deficient mice developed splenomegaly and suffered from glomerulonephritis as a result of autoantibody production (Figure right). MFG-E8 is considered to have a critical role in removing apoptotic B cells in spleen and lymph nodes, and its deficiency can lead to autoimmune disease.

 

Depositor : Dr. Shigekazu Nagata
(Osaka University)
Reference : Hanayama, R., Tanaka, M., Miyasaka, K, Aozasa. K, Koike, M., Uchiyama, Y., and Nagata, S.
Autoimmune disease and impaired uptake of apoptotic cells in MFG-E8-deficient mice.
Science 2004: Vol. 304, pp. 1147 – 1150


 

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