Expression of human interleukin-1.beta. in a transgenic animal
AssigneeMerck & Co., Inc.
InventorsHoward Y. Chen, Kathryn J. Hofmann, Leonardus H. T. Van Der Ploeg, Alan R. Shaw, Myrna E. Trumbauer, Hui Zheng
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A transgenic mouse has been prepared that expresses a human interluekin-1.beta. transgene. Expression of the transgene is mediated by a mouse metallothionein promoter. As a result of the expression of this transgene, the mouse has inflammation of its kidney and liver. The claimed animals are useful as screening tools for agents that are potentially useful for treating inflammation.
Claims3
A transgenic mouse whose somatic and germ cells comprise and express a transgene comprising a murine metallothionein-1 promoter operably linked to a gene encoding human interleukin-1.beta., wherein said transgene is integrated into the genome of said cells, and wherein expression of said transgene results in chronic inflammation of the kidney and liver of said transgenic mouse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.