Modeling human retroviral pathogenesis and antiretroviral gene therapy in the SCID mouse

Preparation and maintenance of SCID-hu mice for HIV research

The SCID-hu mouse bearing a functional human thymic implant can be easily infected with HIV. Infection results in virus replication and relatively rapid depletion of CD4+ human thymocytes, resulting in a pathologic profile similar to that seen in the thymus of HIV-infected humans. The use of the SCID-hu model for HIV research requires protection of the animals from opportunistic infections and protection of the operators from human pathogens. This discussion describes reliable methods of animal care and surgical procedures to meet these needs.

The use of SCID mice in biotechnology and as a model for human disease

The use of SCID (severe combined immunodeficient) mice in medical research and biotechnology has increased tremendously in recent years. This review outlines the major characteristics of these animals and the impediments that they pose to the engraftment of human cells and tissues. The development of our SCID mice pretreatment protocol (anti-asialo GM1 antisera and radiation) is described, and the results of xenotransplantation studies of human cells and tissues in these pretreated animals are outlined. Wherever possible, data from transplantation studies (of human tissues and cells) in pretreated and nonpretreated animals are compared. The potential of our pretreated SCID mice for medical research and biotechnology is discussed.