Mice mutant for functional Fc receptors and method of treating autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a non-naturally occurring non-human vertebrate animal incapable of expressing a functional Fc receptor which may optionally be capable of expressing a protein which comprises a domain of a human Fc receptor, as well as DNA encoding such Fc receptor-based proteins. Also disclosed are in vivo methods for identifying proinflammatory agents that depend on a functional Fc receptor, in vivo methods for identifying proinflammatory agents that do not depend on a functional Fc receptor, and both in vivo and in vitro methods of identifying anti-inflammatory agents. Pharmaceutical compositions containing, and methods of treating inflammation with anti-inflammatory agents are also described.

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