A human CD2 minigene directs CRE-mediated recombination in T cells in vivo.

We have produced a mouse line that expresses the Cre recombinase under the regulation of a human CD2 minigene to facilitate Cre-specific recombination in T lymphocytes. These mice express Cre in thymocytes and T cells and are capable of efficient site-specific recombination as shown in the spleen and thymus, but not other tissues. These mice thus provide an excellent resource for the study of gene function during thymocyte development and in mature T cells.