Human neutrophil development and functionality are enabled in a humanized mouse model

Abstract

AbstractMice with a functional human immune system serve as an invaluable tool to study the development and function of human immune system in vivo. A major technological limitation of all current humanized mouse models is the lack of mature and functional human neutrophils in circulation and tissues. To overcome this, we generated a humanized mouse model named MISTRGGR, in which the mouse granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was replaced with human G-CSF and the mouse G-CSF receptor gene was deleted (G-CSFR) in existing MISTRG mice. By targeting the GCSF cytokine-receptor axis, we dramatically improved the reconstitution of mature circulating and tissue-infiltrating human neutrophils in MISTRGGR mice. Moreover, these functional human neutrophils in MISTRGGR are recruited upon inflammatory and infectious challenges and help reduce bacterial burden. MISTRGGR mice represent a unique mouse model that finally permits the study of human neutrophils in health and disease.Key PointsTargeting the GCSF cytokine-receptor axis dramatically improves circulating and tissue-infiltrating human neutrophils in MISTRGGR mice.Human neutrophils generated in MISTRGGR mice are functional and are able to respond robustly to inflammatory and infectious stimuli.