Ctla4 Conditional Knockout mouse — T cell specific context
Ctla4, ortholog of human CTLA4, encodes CD152, an inhibitory CD28 family homodimer that shares the MYPPPY ligand motif but binds CD80 and CD86 with far higher avidity, outcompeting CD28 and physically stripping ligands from antigen presenting cells by transendocytosis, a cell-extrinsic mechanism central to regulatory T cell suppression. Surface residence is brief because the cytoplasmic YVKM motif recruits AP-2 for constitutive clathrin-mediated internalization and LRBA-dependent recycling, and the same motif engages PP2A and SHP-2. Germline deletion is catastrophic, with fatal lymphoproliferation, myocarditis, and pancreatitis by three to four weeks, so adult studies demand conditional flox alleles with Foxp3-Cre or Cd4-CreER to separate regulatory from conventional T cell requirements. No paralog compensates, since CD28 is the functional antagonist rather than a substitute. Humanized CTLA4 knockins are essential for ipilimumab and Fc-engineered antibody work, and haploinsufficient alleles suit human CTLA4 insufficiency and LRBA deficiency biology.
Ctla4 conditional knockout mice carry a floxed allele so you delete function only where Cre is active. The germline allele stays intact until you cross to a tissue specific Cre. Labs reach for this design when a global knockout is lethal, when they need adult onset loss, or when regional redundancy hides a whole body phenotype. For T cell work, plan Cre specificity, reporter crosses, and baseline phenotyping before you scale.
Catalog options
Conditional knockout focuses the experiment on t-cell while the rest of the animal keeps a wild type allele. That pattern mirrors somatic mutation in patients and avoids systemic compensation that can erase subtle phenotypes. It is often preferred when a germline null is lethal, weak, or confounded by developmental rescue.
| Model | Type | Category | Availability | Catalog # | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ctla4-Flox | Conditional Knockout | KO/CKO mice | sperm cryopreservation | CKO 230188 | Inquire |
Designing a Ctla4 Conditional Knockout allele
Because germline nulls die before four weeks, essentially every adult question about CD152 requires a floxed allele. Flank the exon encoding the IgV ectodomain so recombination removes ligand binding rather than only the tail, and build a separate tail-only allele if the YVKM trafficking motif is the actual target. Foxp3-YFP-Cre gives regulatory T cell restricted deletion, and because Foxp3 is X-linked, use hemizygous males or genotype female mosaics carefully. Cd4-CreERT2 with tamoxifen allows deletion after thymic selection is complete, which separates developmental from maintenance requirements. Deletion in regulatory cells alone reproduces much of the lethality, so stagger dosing and plan survival curves rather than a single fixed timepoint. Score CD80 and CD86 surface density on dendritic cells as the direct cell-extrinsic readout, with Ki67 and effector cytokines in conventional T cells, plus blinded histology of heart and pancreas.
Pricing and quotes
The Ctla4 Conditional Knockout lines listed above are catalog models. Send us the catalog number and our team confirms current availability, pricing, and whether the line ships cryopreserved or live.
If your study needs a Ctla4 allele configuration that is not listed above, our scientific team designs and generates it. Model generation quotes return in about twenty four hours with milestones for genotyping, QC, and dispatch.
FAQ
What Ctla4 Conditional Knockout mouse models are available?
When Ctla4 Conditional Knockout lines are in catalog, we ship from inventory. If your configuration is not listed, we design the allele to order. Common paths include conditional knockout, constitutive knockout, humanized, knockin, and transgenic options, with documented germline transmission and United States QC.
Is Ctla4 knockout embryonic lethal in mice?
It depends on background and allele design. Some Ctla4 germline knockouts are viable. Others need conditional alleles or mixed backgrounds. We review publications and our own experience, then recommend floxed versus null before you commit.
Which Cre driver is best for t cell specific focused experiments?
Driver choice depends on onset timing, recombination efficiency, and known leak. We map your organ and cell type to a short list of proven Cre lines, then talk through reporter crosses and controls. Your note points to t cell specific, so we start driver selection there.
Do you ship live Ctla4 animals?
When catalog lines are live, we ship with health certificates and QC documentation. If your exact combo is not listed, we quote a generation project with cryo or live dispatch depending on cohort timing and geography.
How do I request a quote for Ctla4?
Use the catalog inquire buttons or the request quote form. Include your allele goal, Cre plan if any, strain background, and cohort size. A PhD led team responds with pricing, milestones, and the fastest path to experimental animals.