The present invention relates to transgenic mice and isolated transgenic mouse cells, the mice and mouse cells comprising a disrupted H2 class I gene, a disrupted H2 class II gene, a functional HLA class I transgene, and a functional HLA class II transgene. In embodiments, the transgenic mouse or mouse cells are deficient for both H2 class I and class II molecules, wherein the transgenic mouse comprises a functional HLA class I transgene and a functional HLA class II transgene. In embodiments, the transgenic mouse or mouse cell has the genotype HLA-A2.sup.+HLA-DR1.sup.+2mIA. The invention also relates to methods of using a transgenic mouse of the invention.

Genetically modified non-human animals and methods and compositions for making and using the same are provided, wherein the genetic modification comprises a humanization of an endogenous signal-regulatory protein gene, in particular a humanization of a SIRP? gene. Genetically modified mice are described, including mice that express a human or humanized SIRP? protein from an endogenous SIRP? locus.

This disclosure relates to transgenic rabbit models of cystic fibrosis, and methods of using these rabbits and their derivatives.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing arthritis, which comprising, as an active ingredient, a gene delivery vehicle into which an IK factor or a fragment thereof, or a nucleic acid encoding thereof is inserted. IK factor or the fragment thereof, and the nucleic acid encoding thereof, which are the active ingredient of the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, are derived from an organism and therefore, show no side effects in administered into a subject for a long time. Accordingly, they ensures safety and are expected to effectively treat arthritis by being involved in the upstream mechanism for suppressing arthritis.

Disclosed are polynucleotides, polypeptides, and gene therapy vectors relating to biologically active methylmalonyl-CoA mutase enzymes, internally tagged with an immunoaffinity and detection epitope, which has been designed and tested in mouse models of methylmalonic acidemia (MMA). The polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention contain a mitochondrial leader sequence fused to tag, such as an HA, 3xFLAG, or V5 tag placed in a region of the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase enzyme that maintains mitochondrial localization and function, e.g., the 5 end of a methylmalonyl-CoA mutase polynucleotide is replaced with an engineered nucleotide sequence that encodes the endogenous mitochondrial importation sequence, a mitochondrial protease cleavage site, and a tag. The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful to treat conditions such as MMA, and to assay both activity and biodistribution after gene therapy in varied models of MMA.

The invention provides for transgenic donor animals (e.g., pigs) whose cells, tissues and organs have a better long-term survival when transplanted into a human patient. The transgenic donor animal carries one or more human transgenes which is expressed only when the endogenous gene of the donor animal is knocked out shortly before a graft is harvested for transplantation. This genetic switch allows the donor animal to remain healthy during the majority of its lifetime, while still allowing expression of the human transgene for optimal transplant tolerance in a human recipient. The transgene may encode a cytokine receptor, an adhesion molecule, or a complement regulatory protein.

Genetically modified non-human animals and methods and compositions for making and using the same are provided, wherein the genetic modification comprises a humanization of an endogenous signal-regulatory protein gene, in particular a humanization of a SIRP? gene. Genetically modified mice are described, including mice that express a human or humanized SIRP? protein from an endogenous SIRP? locus.

Methods and compositions are described for making phenotypically female fertile animals from XY donor cells and suitable host embryos. Culture media and methods are provided for maintaining XY donor cells in culture that after introduction into a host embryo and gestation in a suitable host will result in fertile XY female animals. Methods and compositions are described for making fertile female animals in an F0 generation from a donor XY cell and a host embryo, as are methods for making F1 progeny that are homozygous for a modification from a heterozygous F0 fertile male and a heterozygous F0 fertile female sibling.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides nucleic acid sequences that are genetic polymorphic variations of the human TMEM216 gene, and TMEM216 polypeptide encoded by these variant alleles. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides methods of determining or predicting a predisposition to, or the presence of, a ciliopathy (or any genetic disorder of a cellular cilia or cilia anchoring structure, basal body or ciliary function) in an individual, such as a Joubert Syndrome (JS), a Joubert Syndrome Related Disorder (JSRD) or a Meckel Syndrome (MKS). In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods for the identification of genetic polymorphic variations in the human TMEM216 gene, and methods of using the identified genetic polymorphisms and the proteins they encode, e.g., to screen for compounds that can modulate the human TMEM216 gene product, and possibly treat JS, JSRD or MKS. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides cells, cell lines and/or non-human transgenic animals that can be used as screening or model systems for studying ciliopathies and testing various therapeutic approaches in treating ciliopathies, e.g., JS, JSRD or MKS.

Provided herein are genetically modified cells and genetically modified non-human animals (e.g., rodents such as rats and mice) comprising: (i) a homozygous null mutation in Rag2 gene; (ii) a homozygous null mutation in IL2rg gene; (iii) a homozygous null mutation in the non-human animal FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3) gene, and (iv) a Flt3 ligand (Flt31) gene that comprises a non-human animal portion and a human portion operably linked to a Flt31 promoter, and optionally expressing one or more human or humanized polypeptides. Methods and compositions of making and using such genetically modified cells and non-human animals are also provided.