Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2 or NLRC2) is a member of the NLR family and serves as an intracellular pattern recognition receptor (PRRs) that recognizes peptidoglycan (PGN) derivatives from both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. NOD2 exists in a suppressed monomeric state in the cytoplasm and is expressed by various cell types, including hematopoietic cells (such as T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and mast cells) and non-hematopoietic cells (such as Paneth cells, stem cells, goblet cells, and intestinal cells). Upon ligand recognition, the conformation of NOD2 changes and activates, subsequently recruiting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIPK2), activating the IKK complex and the MAPK pathway, thereby regulating the NF-kB signaling pathway and stimulating the occurrence of intestinal inflammation. This is the primary function and mechanism of action of NOD2 within cells.

This strain is a Nod2 gene knockout (Nod2 KO) mouse, which uses gene editing technology to knock out the Nod2 gene in mice homologous to the human NOD2 gene. Homozygous Nod2 KO mice are viable and fertile. Research shows that the knockout of the Nod2 gene leads to abnormal morphology and physiology of the immune system in mice and increases their susceptibility to induced colitis. Therefore, the Nod2 KO mouse model can be used for research on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other intestinal or inflammatory diseases as well as other Nod2-related diseases.