NOD/SCID (Non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency) mice are a widely used animal model for xenograft studies. These mice have a severely compromised immune system due to genetic mutations that affect both T cell and B cell development. As a result, NOD/SCID mice have a reduced ability to reject foreign tissues, which makes them ideal for xenograft experiments.
In a xenograft study, cells or tissues from one species (usually human) are implanted into an immunodeficient animal, such as NOD/SCID mice. The implanted cells can then grow and differentiate in vivo, allowing researchers to study their behavior, function, and response to treatments in a physiological context.
NOD/SCID xenografts are commonly used in several areas of research, including:
- Cancer research: Human cancer cells or patient-derived tumor samples can be implanted into NOD/SCID mice to generate in vivo tumor models. These models can be used to study tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis, as well as to test the efficacy of novel cancer therapies.
- Stem cell research: Human stem cells, including embryonic, induced pluripotent, or adult stem cells, can be implanted into NOD/SCID mice to study their differentiation potential and regenerative capacity in vivo. This can help researchers understand the biology of stem cells and develop stem cell-based therapies for various diseases.
- Immune system research: Human immune cells can be implanted into NOD/SCID mice to study their function and interaction with other cells in vivo. This can help researchers gain insights into the human immune system and develop novel immunotherapies.
- Infectious disease research: NOD/SCID mice can be used to study the pathogenesis of human-specific pathogens, such as HIV or hepatitis viruses, by implanting human immune cells or tissues that are susceptible to infection.
Despite their widespread use, NOD/SCID xenograft models have some limitations. For example, the lack of a functional immune system in these mice can affect the behavior of implanted cells, and the mouse microenvironment may not fully mimic the human physiological context. Additionally, ethical concerns must be taken into consideration when using animal models for research purposes.