Analysis of lymphocyte costimulation in vivo using transgenic and 'knockout' mice.

The use of transgenic technologies in the functional evaluation of the contributions of costimulatory pathways to T-cell activation in vivo has recently undergone a rapid expansion. During the past two years, mice deficient in costimulatory molecules and their receptors have been generated. These mice have revealed novel and critical in vivo functions of costimulatory pathways and have provided valuable models in which to test therapeutic strategies involving costimulatory pathway blockade. Transgenic mice constitutively expressing costimulatory molecules have provided insights into their role in peripheral tolerance.