Ctla4 Mouse Models

Why Model Ctla4

Ctla4 is the mouse ortholog of human CTLA4 and encodes CTLA-4 (CD152), an inhibitory receptor expressed on activated T cells and constitutively on regulatory T cells. CTLA-4 competes with the costimulatory receptor CD28 for the ligands CD80 and CD86 and has been associated with downregulation of T-cell activation.

CTLA-4 blockade can enhance T-cell responses and is used in cancer immunotherapy; it is also associated with immune-related adverse effects. Homozygous Ctla4-null mice develop a severe lymphoproliferative disorder with early lethality, consistent with a role in restraining T-cell activation.

Model Applications

Because constitutive loss is lethal, humanized and conditional approaches are used. Humanized CTLA4 models, in which the human receptor replaces the mouse counterpart, have been used to evaluate anti-CTLA-4 antibody therapeutics in immunocompetent mice, including in combination with other checkpoint-targeted agents.

Ctla4 alleles have been used to study the receptor’s role in immune regulation and tolerance.

Custom Ctla4 Model Options

Engineered to your specifications, with molecular validation of the targeted allele and germline transmission guaranteed.

• Conventional knockout
• Conditional knockout
• Point mutation / knockin
• Reporter knockin
• Humanized
• Targeted transgenic

Sources

• A comprehensive review of immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatment. Int Immunopharmacol. 2024. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113365
• Waterhouse P et al. Lymphoproliferative disorders with early lethality in mice deficient in Ctla-4. Science. 1995. doi:10.1126/science.270.5238.985
• Tivol EA et al. Loss of CTLA-4 leads to massive lymphoproliferation and fatal multiorgan tissue destruction. Immunity. 1995. doi:10.1016/1074-7613(95)90125-6
• Brunet JF et al. A new member of the immunoglobulin superfamily—CTLA-4. Nature. 1987. doi:10.1038/328267a0

Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 · Reviewed by: Paul Sheiffele

Related gene targets: Cd28 · Cd80 · Cd86 · Pdcd1