mouse strain NOD.Cg-Prkdc{scid} Il2rg{tm1Wjl}/SzJ mouse strain A mouse strain in which the targeted gene, protein kinase, DNA activated, catalytic polypeptide (NCBI Gene ID: 19090), has been modified (allele type: Other) to severe combined immunodeficiency (MGI ID: Prkdc{scid}). The NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ mice, commonly known as NOD scid gamma (NSG), do not express the Prkdc gene nor the X-linked Il2rg gene. NSG mice are viable, fertile, normal in size and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. Histological examination of lymphoid tissues reveals absence of lymphoid cells and some cystic structures in the thymus, an absence of follicles in the spleen and markedly diminished celluarity of lymph nodes. NSG mice are deficient in mature lymphocytes, serum Ig is not detectable and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity is extremely low. These mice are resistant to lymphoma development even after sublethal irradiation treatment. These mutant mice have been shown to readily support engraftment of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells and represent a superior, long-lived model suitable for studies employing xenotransplantation strategies. Please note that the NSG carries the true null interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain mutation and should not be confused with other strains that express a truncated interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain as described in: "Modulation of hematopoiesis in mice with a truncated mutant of the interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain". NOD.Cg-Prkdc{scid} Il2rg{tm1Wjl}/SzJ Person: Mark A. Magnuson, Jill Lindner, Jean-Philippe Cartailler Vanderbilt University Medical Center