A humanized CD3ε-knock-in mouse model for pre-clinical testing of anti-human CD3 therapy

PLoS One. 2021 Feb 17;16(2):e0245917. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245917. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Pre-clinical murine models are critical for translating drug candidates from the bench to the bedside. There is interest in better understanding how anti-human CD3 therapy works based on recent longitudinal studies of short-term administration. Although several models have been created in this pursuit, each have their own advantages and disadvantages in Type-1 diabetes. In this study, we report a murine genetic knock-in model which expresses both a murine and a humanized-CD3ε-exon, rendering it sensitive to manipulation with anti-human CD3. These huCD3εHET mice are viable and display no gross abnormalities. Specifically, thymocyte development and T cell peripheral homeostasis is unaffected. We tested immune functionality of these mice by immunizing them with T cell-dependent antigens and no differences in antibody titers compared to wild type mice were recorded. Finally, we performed a graft-vs-host disease model that is driven by effector T cell responses and observed a wasting disease upon transfer of huCD3εHET T cells. Our results show a viable humanized CD3 murine model that develops normally, is functionally engaged by anti-human CD3 and can instruct on pre-clinical tests of anti-human CD3 antibodies.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • CD3 Complex / genetics*
  • CD3 Complex / immunology*
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phenotype
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Thymocytes / cytology
  • Thymocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CD3 Complex
  • CD3E protein, human

Grants and funding

Eli Lilly and Company provided support in the form of salaries for authors JC, YTK, NH, ALG, APM and RJB, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. MacroGenics provided support in the form of salaries for authors PAM and EB, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.