Athymic nude mice are popular in preclinical research because of their unique immunodeficient characteristics. These mice lack functional T cells, making them unable to mount a full immune response against a transplanted tissue or foreign material. The use of athymic nude mice is advantageous over other rodent models because they have an extended lifespan, better tumor take rates, and are less prone to infections. While they are less fragile than many other immunodeficient mouse models, they do require more specialized care and housing than immunocompetent models. These traits make this mouse model a valuable tool for researchers who may be studying the immune system, the development of tumors, or cancer disease progression.
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The “nu” mutation was discovered in 1962 in a closed outbred stock of albino mice in the Virus Laboratory, Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland. The mutation is an autosomal recessive mutation (Foxn1 gene) and is responsible for their lack of functional T cells, which led to the development of a strain called "nude" mice. Harlan, now Inotiv, obtained the athymic nude mouse model from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Maryland.
Athymic nude mice are also versatile research models that can be used for the discovery and development of various therapeutic interventions. At Inotiv, these mice are used in research services such as oncology studies, immunology studies, transplantation studies, pharmacokinetic and toxicology analysis, disease modeling and drug efficacy testing.
Athymic nude mice have become a vital research model for preclinical research because of their unique immunodeficient nature, versatility, and easy adaptability compared to other animal models. These mice make it possible to conduct research into the development of new therapies, vaccines, and drugs that can save lives.