Abstract: The present invention relates generally to genetically modified non-human animals and immunodeficient non-human animals characterized by restored complement-dependent cytotoxicity, as well as methods and compositions for assessment of therapeutic antibodies in the genetically modified immunodeficient non-human animals. In specific aspects, the present invention relates to immunodeficient non-obese diabetic (NOD), A/J, A/He, AKR, DBA/2, NZB/B1N, B10.D2/oSn and other mouse strains genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in the unmodified immunodeficient mice. In further specific aspects, the present invention relates to NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid IL2retmlWjl/SzJ (NSG), NOD.Cg-Rag1tm1Mom Il2rgtmlWjl/SzJ (NRG) and NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Sug/JicTac (NOG) mice genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in unmodified NSG, NRG and NOG mice.

Abstract: A NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidH2rgtm1 Wjl/SzJ.(NOD-scid-IL2r?null, NSG) mouse which is genetically modified such that the en NSG mouse lacks functional major histocompatibility complex I (MHC I) and lacks functional major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) is provided according to aspects of the present, invention. According to specific aspects the genetically modified NSG mouse, is a NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidH2-K1tml Bpe H2-Ab1eml Mvw H2-D1tml Bpe H2rgtm Wjl/SzJ (NSG-Kb Db)null(IAnull)) mouse, NSG-RIP-DTR (Kb Db)null(IAnull) mouse, or a NOD.Cg-B2mtmlUnePrKdcscidH2dlAb1-E?H2rgtm1 Wjl/SzJ (NSG-B2Mnull(IA IEnull)) mouse. Human, immune cells and/or human: tumor cells are administered to a genetically modified immunodeficient mouse according to aspects described herein and assays of one or more test substances can be performed using the provided mice.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to genetically modified non-human animals and immunodeficient non-human animals characterized by restored complement-dependent cytotoxicity, as well as methods and compositions for assessment of therapeutic antibodies in the genetically modified immunodeficient non-human animals. In specific aspects, the present invention relates to immunodeficient non-obese diabetic (NOD), A/J, A/He, AKR, DBA/2, NZB/B1N, B10.D2/oSn and other mouse strains genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in the unmodified immunodeficient mice. In further specific aspects, the present invention relates to NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid IL2retmlWjl/SzJ (NSG), NOD.Cg-Rag1tm1Mom Il2rgtmlWjl/SzJ (NRG) and NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Sug/JicTac (NOG) mice genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in unmodified NSG, NRG and NOG mice.

Abstract: An immunodeficient mouse is provided which is useful as a model of functions and regulation of human natural killer (NK) cells and other interleukin 15 (IL-15)-dependent cell populations and processes in studies of human immunity, cancer, infectious diseases, and other areas. According to specific aspects, an immunodeficient mouse is provided which is genetically modified to express human interleukin 15, wherein the mouse does not have or produce functional mouse natural killer cells, and wherein the mouse is modified to include human natural killer cells. Methods of identifying anti-tumor activity of a test substance using a mouse of the present invention are described along with methods of making the mouse.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to genetically modified non-human animals and immunodeficient non-human animals characterized by restored complement-dependent cytotoxicity, as well as methods and compositions for assessment of therapeutic antibodies in the genetically modified immunodeficient non-human animals. In specific aspects, the present invention relates to immunodeficient non-obese diabetic (NOD), A/J, A/He, AKR, DBA/2, NZB/BIN, B10.D2/oSn and other mouse strains genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in the unmodified immunodeficient mice. In further specific aspects, the present invention relates to NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid IL2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG), NOD.Cg-Rag1tm1Mom IL2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NRG) and NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid IL2rgtm1Sug/JicTAc (NOG) mice genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in unmodified NSG, NRG and NOG mice.

Abstract: A NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidH2rgtm1 Wjl/SzJ.(NOD-scid-IL2r?null, NSG) mouse which is genetically modified such that the en NSG mouse lacks functional major histocompatibility complex I (MHC I) and lacks functional major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) is provided according to aspects of the present, invention. According to specific aspects the genetically modified NSG mouse, is a NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidH2-K1tml Bpe H2-Ab1eml Mvw H2-D1tml Bpe H2rgtm Wjl/SzJ (NSG-Kb Db)null(IAnull)) mouse, NSG-RIP-DTR (Kb Db)null(IAnull) mouse, or a NOD.Cg-B2mtmlUnePrKdcscidH2dlAb1-E?H2rgtm1 Wjl/SzJ (NSG-B2Mnull(IA IEnull)) mouse. Human, immune cells and/or human: tumor cells are administered to a genetically modified immunodeficient mouse according to aspects described herein and assays of one or more test substances can be performed using the provided mice.

Abstract: A genetically-modified, immunodeficient mouse is provided along with methods of use, wherein the mouse includes (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding human stem cell factor (hSCF); (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF); (c) a nucleotide sequence encoding human interleukin-3 (hIL-3); and (d) a nucleotide sequence encoding human colony-stimulating factor 1 (hCSF1), wherein each of the nucleotide sequences is operably linked to a promoter, and wherein the genetically-modified, immunodeficient mouse expresses hSCF, hGM-CSF, hIL-3, and hCSF1, wherein the genetically-modified, immunodeficient mouse allows engraftment of human hematopoietic stem cells along with engraftment of human-patient derived tumor xenografts and/or human tumor cell lines to enable in vivo investigation of the interactions between the human immune system and human cancer.

Abstract: Described herein are immunodeficient non-human animals lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by endogenous autogeneic innate immune cells, as well as methods and compositions for engraftment of xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the immunodeficient non-human animal lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), thereby creating an innate immune system in the animal derived from the xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells. Further described are immunodeficient mice lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 by endogenous autogeneic innate immune cells, as well as methods and compositions for engraftment of xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the immunodeficient mouse lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4, thereby creating an innate immune system in the animal derived from the xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to genetically modified non-human animals and immunodeficient non-human animals characterized by restored complement-dependent cytotoxicity, as well as methods and compositions for assessment of therapeutic antibodies in the genetically modified immunodeficient non-human animals. In specific aspects, the present invention relates to immunodeficient non-obese diabetic (NOD), A/J, A/He, AKR, DBA/2, NZB/BIN, B10.D2/oSn and other mouse strains genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in the unmodified immunodeficient mice. In further specific aspects, the present invention relates to NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid IL2rgtm1Wj1/SzJ (NSG), NOD. Cg-Rag1tm1Mom IL2rgtm1Wj1/SzJ (NRG) and NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid IL2rgtm1Wj1/JicTAc (NOG) mice genetically modified to restore complement-dependent cytotoxicity which is lacking in unmodified NSG, NRG and NOG mice.

Abstract: Described herein are immunodeficient non-human animals lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by endogenous autogeneic innate immune cells, as well as methods and compositions for engraftment of xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the immunodeficient non-human animal lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), thereby creating an innate immune system in the animal derived from the xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells. Further described are immunodeficient mice lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 by endogenous autogeneic innate immune cells, as well as methods and compositions for engraftment of xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the immunodeficient mouse lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4, thereby creating an innate immune system in the animal derived from the xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Described herein are immunodeficient non-human animals lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by endogenous autogeneic innate immune cells, as well as methods and compositions for engraftment of xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the immunodeficient non-human animal lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), thereby creating an innate immune system in the animal derived from the xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells. Further described are immunodeficient mice lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 by endogenous autogeneic innate immune cells, as well as methods and compositions for engraftment of xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the immunodeficient mouse lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4, thereby creating an innate immune system in the animal derived from the xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Described herein are immunodeficient non-human animals lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by endogenous autogeneic innate immune cells, as well as methods and compositions for engraftment of xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the immunodeficient non-human animal lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), thereby creating an innate immune system in the animal derived from the xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells. Further described are immunodeficient mice lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4 by endogenous autogeneic innate immune cells, as well as methods and compositions for engraftment of xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the immunodeficient mouse lacking expression of toll-like receptor 4, thereby creating an innate immune system in the animal derived from the xenogeneic hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Transgenic immunodeficient non-human animals according to embodiments of the present invention are described which include in their genome a nucleic acid encoding xenogeneic Stem Cell Factor operably linked to a promoter. Administration of xenogeneic hematopoetic stem cells to the inventive transgenic animals results in engraftment of the xenogeneic hematopoetic stem cells and xenogeneic leukocytes are produced in the animals, without conditioning such as without conditioning by irradiation and without conditioning by a radiomimetic agent.

Abstract: Transgenic immunodeficient non-human animals according to embodiments of the present invention are described which include in their genome a nucleic acid encoding xenogeneic Stem Cell Factor operably linked to a promoter. Administration of xenogeneic hematopoetic stem cells to the inventive transgenic animals results in engraftment of the xenogeneic hematopoetic stem cells and xenogeneic leukocytes are produced in the animals, without conditioning such as without conditioning by irradiation and without conditioning by a radiomimetic agent.

Abstract: Methods for inducing antigen-specific T cell tolerance are disclosed. The methods involve contacting a T cell with: 1) a cell which presents antigen to the T cell, wherein a ligand on the cell interacts with a receptor on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function; and 2) an antagonist of the receptor on the surface of the T cell which inhibits interaction of the ligand on the antigen presenting cell with the receptor on the T cell. In a preferred embodiment, the cell which presents antigen to the T cell is a B cell and the receptor on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function is gp39. Preferably, the antagonist is an anti-gp39 antibody or a soluble gp39 ligand (e.g., soluble CD40). The methods of the invention can be used to induce T cell tolerance to a soluble antigen or to an allogeneic cell.