Patent ID: 7491868
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: A01K,C07K

Abstract:
1. A transgenic mouse whose genome comprises homozygous null mutations in each of the endogenous mannose-binding lectin A (MBL-A) and mannose-binding lectin C (MBL-C) genes, wherein said homozygous null mutations have been introduced into said mouse via homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells, wherein said mouse is devoid of MBL activity, wherein said mouse has undetectable levels of MBL-A and MBL-C in serum, wherein said mouse has increased susceptibility to infection by Staphylococcus aureus compared to a wild-type mouse, and wherein said mouse produces more IgG antibody to Group B Streptococcus (GBS) serotype III polysaccharide and to GBS serotype V polysaccharide conjugated to tetanus toxin than a wild-type mouse.