Genome-Wide Mutagenesis in Mice: In Search for Genes Regulating Immune Responses and Inflammation

Genome-wide mutagenesis induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) results in efficient introduction of mutations into the genome of mammalian spermatogonial cells. This feature is being used to generate animals with phenotypes associated with defects in various functional systems. In particular, using this methodology, it was possible to identify molecular mechanisms of immune responses, identify genes that regulate the development of various organs, etc. This minireview covers genetic studies of immunological and inflammatory reactions in mice using ENU mutagenesis, which led to important findings concerning the regulation of critical signaling pathways of innate and adaptive immunity.