Tg(MCP-DAF)227Nmp

A minigene encoding human decay accelerating factor for complement (CD55, Cromer blood group system) (DAF) is expressed under control of the promoter of the porcine membrane cofactor protein/CD46, trophoblast-lymphocyte (MCP) gene. Immunohistochemistry revealed high levels of human DAF expression in the vascular endothelia and nerves of all organs examined, as well as on peripheral blood erythrocytes. Splenocytes and erythrocytes resisted lysis by human serum in an expression level-dependent manner, and hearts from transgenic mice functioned longer upon perfusion with human serum than did those of controls. (J:92493)