Defining Genetic Variation in Widely Used Congenic and Backcrossed Mouse Models Reveals Varied Regulation of Genes Important for Immune Responses (Immunity)

Congenic and backcrossed mouse models retain genetic content from their original parent strains, but this genetic variable often remains unknown. Chisolm et al. present alternative processing strategies for next-generation sequencing datasets to define genetic variation and find substantial differences in SJL genetic content retained in B6.SJL-CD45.1 congenic mice by vendor, encompassing immune-related genes encoding BCL2, CD62L, CXCR4, RNaseL, and PD-1.