Effect of Ikaros deletion on gene expression in CD4 T cells

The goal of this experiment is to define how lack of Ikaros impacts gene expression in mature CD4 T cells, both in the resting and activated state. To do this, a conditional knockout mouse model was generated using Cre/lox technology. The floxed allele was designed such that the last translated exon and 3' UTR of the Ikaros gene (Ikzf1) are deleted in mature T cells (mediated by distal Lck-driven Cre). CD4 T cells from mice with floxed alleles that did not express Cre (Cre-) and those that did express Cre (Cre+) were analyzed. The experiment is comprised of 12 Mouse Gene 2.0 ST arrays, profiling CD4+ T cells isolated from the spleens of Cre- and Cre+ mice. The cells were either left untreated or activated for 24 hours with plate bound anti-CD3 and soluble anti-CD28. Each experimental group is represented in triplicate.