Generation of HLA-DR4 and HLA-A2 Mice

The DRAG mice (NOD.HLA-DR4.RagKO.IL2RgcKO) express HLA-DR4 molecules in NRG background, and they have been previously described12 (link). The DRAG mice were crossed with HLA-A2.1.NOD mice (stock #006611, The Jackson Laboratory) to generate F1 mice that were intercrossed to generate F2 mice. The F2 progeny was screened for expression of HLA-DR4 and HLA-A2 molecules by FACS using peripheral white blood cells stained with HLA-DR and A2 antibodies (clones #Tu39 and #BB7.2, BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA). Rag1KO litters were identified by the absence of mouse T cells upon staining of peripheral white blood cells with anti-mouse CD3 (clone #145-2C11, BD Biosciences). The IL2RγcKO mutation was screened by PCR as previously described12 (link). Mice were bred at the Veterinary Program Service at NMRC/WRAIR.