Xenogeneic PBL-scid mice: their potential and current limitations.

The hu-PBL-scid has been constructed by intraperitoneal inoculation of lymphocytes from human peripheral blood into immunodeficient scid mice. Such scid mouse-human chimeras have proven useful as in vivo animal models for studies on human lymphocyte development and differentiation from pluripotent stem cells. Further, the hu-PBL-scid mouse provides a readily accessible model for the examination of immune cell function and involvement in autoimmune and infectious disease processes. In response to the growing need for model systems to examine the immune system and disease pathogenesis in agriculturally important animals, PBL engraftment of scid mice has expanded to include the bovine and equine species. This review discusses the properties and potential uses of the xenogeneic PBL-reconstituted scid mouse.