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Abstract

A mutant mouse strain without CD4 expression has been generated by disrupting the CD4 gene using embryonic stem cell technology. In these mice CD4.sup.+ T lymphocytes are not present in peripheral lymphoid organs, but the development of CD8.sup.+ T cells and myeloid components is unaltered, indicating that expression of CD4.sup.+ on progenitor cells and CD4.sup.+ CD8.sup.+ (double positive) thymocytes is not obligatory. These mice have markedly decreased helper cell activity for antibody responses, whereas cytotoxic T cell activity against viruses was within normal range of that generated by CD4.sup.+ mice. This differential requirement for CD4.sup.+ helper T cells has important implications for the understanding of the immune function in a variety of immune disorders, including AIDS, in which the CD4.sup.+ cells are reduced or absent.

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