C57BL/6-Tg(Csf1r-HBEGF/mCherry)1Mnz/J

Stock number: 024046
Research areas: Research Tools

Description

These transgenic mice carry a BAC encoding a diphtheria toxin receptor-mCherry fusion protein (DTR-mCherry) preceded by a loxP-flanked transcriptional Stop element under the control of the Csf1r promoter. They are part of a two-gene approach to target monocytes and macrophages, but not conventional dendritic cells (cDCs).

Detailed description

Cells of the mononuclear phagocytic lineage are essential for both innate and adaptive immunity. This strain is part of a two-gene approach to target monocytes and macrophages, but not conventional dendritic cells (cDCs).

These transgenic mice carry a BAC encoding a diphtheria toxin receptor-mCherry fusion protein (DTR-mCherry) preceded by a loxP-flanked transcriptional Stop element under the control of the Csf1r promoter. Expression of cre recombinase excises the Stop element and allows transcription and translation of DTR-mCherry in cells expressing Csf1r. Animals expressing DTR-mCherry can be treated with diptheria toxin to selectively ablate these cell populations.

Deletion of the floxed Stop element through crosses with Lyz2 (lysozyme 2)-cre mice (see Stock No. 004781) leads to expression of DTR-mCherry in splenic monocytes but not cDCs of compound mutant mice. Ly6C^highCD115⁺ spleen monocytes uniformly express mCherry, whereas MHCII^highCD11c^high cDCs do not. Single injections of diptheria toxin in these animals (4 ng/g body weight) result in a complete loss of peripheral blood and bone marrow monocytes after 24 hours. Peripheral blood Ly6C^high monocytes return to normal levels after 3 days and are present in super-physiological levels in blood on days 4 and 5 before returning to baseline after day 6.

 

Development

A transgenic BAC vector incorporating a loxP-Stop-loxP-IRES-DTR/mCherry fusion protein construct in intron 21 of the mouse Csf1r gene was introduced to C57BL/6 embryos. This strain was maintained on a C57BL/6 genetic background by the donating laboratory.

Allele

Symbol: Tg(Csf1r-HBEGF/mCherry)1Mnz
Name: transgene insertion 1, Michel C Nussenzweig
MGI accession ID: MGI:5517795
Generation method: Transgenic
Attributes: Inserted expressed sequence
Marker symbol: Tg(Csf1r-HBEGF/mCherry)1Mnz
Marker name: transgene insertion 1, Michel C Nussenzweig
Chromosome: UN
Strain of origin: C57BL/6
Expressed genes: HBEGF,heparin binding EGF like growth factor,human; RFP,Red Fluorescent Protein,coral; DTR,Simian Diphtheria Toxin Receptor,
Site of expression: Monocytes and macrophages. Deletion of the floxed Stop element leads to expression of DTR-mCherry in splenic monocytes.
Molecular note: A transgenic BAC vector incorporating a loxP-Stop-loxP-IRES-HBEGF(DTR)/mCherry fusion protein construct in intron 21. Line 1 was generated.