Igh^FluBI

This germline-transmitted allele is a functionally rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain gene from a hemagglutinin-reactive B cell of a mouse that had been immunized with influenza virus strain A/SWN/33. The variable (VDJ) portion of the expressed Igh sequence (GenBank accession KF419287.1) is derived from Igh-V1-50, Igh-DQ52, and Igh-J2 and contains 7 somatic mutations; it is joined to the Ighg2b constant region gene segment. B cells of mice bearing this allele in combination with IgkFluBI, called FluBI mice, are specific for hemagglutinin and secrete neutralizing antibodies of subtype IgG2b against A/WSN/33 influenza virus. The FluBI mouse was generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) of the nucleus of a B cell from an influenza strain A/SWN/3-immunized (C57BL/6 x 129)F1 mouse into an enucleated oocyte, which was allowed to develop to the blastocyst stage, then used to create embryonic stem (ES) cell lines. These ES cells were injected into blastocysts to create chimeric mice that transmitted the rearranged Igk and Igh genes, both derived from C57BL/6, in the germline. (J:206756)