B6(FVB)-Mgl2^{tm1.1(HBEGF/EGFP)Aiwsk}/J

Stock number: 023822
Product name: Mgl2DTR
Strain synonyms: Mgl2DTR-GFP , CD301bGFP-DTR
Research areas: Immunology, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Research, Research Tools

Description

Mgl2DTR knockin mice are useful when studying the requirement for CD301b⁺ dermal dendritic cells in the generation of Th2 cell-mediated immunity.

Detailed description

Mgl2DTR mutant mice contain a cDNA encoding human diptheria toxin receptor (DTR; formal symbol HBEGF)-EGFP fusion protein in exon 2 of the macrophage galactose N-acetyl-galactosamine specific lectin 2 (Mgl2) gene, abolishing gene expression. MGL2, also known as CD301b, is a transmembrane protein expressed in dermal dendritic cells (DDCs). Following immunization with antigen, CD301b⁺ DDCs are involved in the differentiation of naive CD4⁺ T cells into T helper (Th)2 cells. Th2 cells play an important role in cell-mediated immunity against extracellular parasites, bacteria, allergens, and toxins by producing cytokines and regulating B cell class-switching. Homozygous Mgl2DTR mice are viable and fertile. GFP fluorescence is evident in CD301b⁺ DDCs. Injection of diptheria toxin (DT) specifically depletes CD301b⁺ DDCs resulting in decreased accumulation and expression of CD69 by polyclonal CD4⁺ T cells in the skin-draining lymph node. These mice also exhibit impaired Th2 cell development upon infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Mice receiving multiple injections of DT are viable, and CD301b+ DDCs depletion lasts 6 days after a single DT injection.

Development

The Mgl2DTR targeting vector was designed to insert a human diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR)-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) cassette, followed by a loxP-flanked neomycin (neo) resistance cassette, into exon 2 of the macrophage galactose N-acetyl-galactosamine specific lectin 2 (Mgl2) gene. This construct was injected into C57BL/6N-derived embryonic stem (ES) cells. Correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6N blastocysts. Resulting chimeric males were bred with B6.FVB-Tg(EIIa-cre) mice to remove the neo cassette and offspring were crossed to remove the cre-expressing transgene. Upon arrival at The Jackson Laboratory, mice were bred to C57BL/6NJ inbred mice (Stock No. 005304) for at least one generation.

Allele

Symbol: Mgl2^{tm1.1(HBEGF/EGFP)Aiwsk}
Name: targeted mutation 1.1, Akiko Iwasaki
MGI accession ID: MGI:5510723
Generation method: Targeted
Attributes: Reporter; Null/Knockout
Marker symbol: Mgl2
Marker name: macrophage galactose N-acetyl-galactosamine specific lectin 2
Chromosome: 11
Strain of origin: C57BL/6
Expressed genes: DTR/EGFP,Simian Diphtheria Toxin Receptor; Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein,
Site of expression: GFP fluorescence is observed in CD301b+ dermal dendritic cells.
Molecular note: The targeting vector was designed to insert a human diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR)-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion cassette, followed by a loxP-flanked neomycin (neo) resistance cassette, into exon 2. Cre-mediated recombination removed the neomycin resistance cassette.