| abstract |
The present invention provides a transgenic non-human mammal model of autoimmune disease introduced with an OX40L gene, and a method for using said mammal for screening a therapeutic drug for the autoimmune disease. Transgenic mice wherein OX40L, one of the TNF family molecules, is constantly expressed in T cells, were constructed. These mice developed an autoimmune disease and they were found to be useful as a model of autoimmune disease. The transgenic non-human mammal that develops an autoimmune disease in the present invention can be constructed by expressing the OX40L gene under the control of T cell-specific lck promoter. The transgenic non-human mammal of the present invention develops an autoimmune disease such as interstitial pneumonia, inflammatory bowel disease, splenomegaly or lymphadenopathy, or hyperimmunoglobulinemia, and said mammal can be effectively used for screening a therapeutic drug for these autoimmune diseases. |