Human lymphohematopoietic reconstitution and immune function in immunodeficient mice receiving cotransplantation of human thymic tissue and CD34+ cells

Small animal models with functional human lymphohematopoietic systems are highly valuable for the study of human immune function under physiological and pathological conditions. Over the last two decades, numerous efforts have been devoted towards the development of such humanized mouse models. This review is focused on human lymphohematopoietic reconstitution and immune function in humanized mice by cotransplantation of human fetal thymic tissue and CD34(+) cells. The potential use of these humanized mice in translational biomedical research is also discussed. Cellular & Molecular Immunology (2012) 9, 232-236; doi:10.1038/cmi.2011.63; published online 6 February 2012