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Kocherlakota S, Baes M. Benefits and Caveats in the Use of Retinal Pigment Epithelium-Specific Cre Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1293. [PMID: 38279294 PMCID: PMC10816505 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is an important monolayer of cells present in the outer retina, forming a major part of the blood-retina barrier (BRB). It performs many tasks essential for the maintenance of retinal integrity and function. With increasing knowledge of the retina, it is becoming clear that both common retinal disorders, like age-related macular degeneration, and rare genetic disorders originate in the RPE. This calls for a better understanding of the functions of various proteins within the RPE. In this regard, mice enabling an RPE-specific gene deletion are a powerful tool to study the role of a particular protein within the RPE cells in their native environment, simultaneously negating any potential influences of systemic changes. Moreover, since RPE cells interact closely with adjacent photoreceptors, these mice also provide an excellent avenue to study the importance of a particular gene function within the RPE to the retina as a whole. In this review, we outline and compare the features of various Cre mice created for this purpose, which allow for inducible or non-inducible RPE-specific knockout of a gene of interest. We summarize the various benefits and caveats involved in the use of such mouse lines, allowing researchers to make a well-informed decision on the choice of Cre mouse to use in relation to their research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Myriam Baes
- Laboratory of Cell Metabolism, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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2
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Kim JM, Min KW, Kim YJ, Smits R, Basler K, Kim JW. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Is Necessary for the Specification but Not the Maintenance of the Mouse Retinal Pigment Epithelium. Mol Cells 2023; 46:441-450. [PMID: 37190767 PMCID: PMC10336276 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2023.0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Catenin (Ctnnb1) has been shown to play critical roles in the development and maintenance of epithelial cells, including the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Ctnnb1 is not only a component of intercellular junctions in the epithelium, it also functions as a transcriptional regulator in the Wnt signaling pathway. To identify which of its functional modalities is critically involved in mouse RPE development and maintenance, we varied Ctnnb1 gene content and activity in mouse RPE lineage cells and tested their impacts on mouse eye development. We found that a Ctnnb1 double mutant (Ctnnb1dm), which exhibits impaired transcriptional activity, could not replace Ctnnb1 in the RPE, whereas Ctnnb1Y654E, which has reduced affinity for the junctions, could do so. Expression of the constitutively active Ctnnb1∆ex3 mutant also suppressed the development of RPE, instead facilitating a ciliary cell fate. However, the post-mitotic or mature RPE was insensitive to the loss, inactivation, or constitutive activation of Ctnnb1. Collectively, our results suggest that Ctnnb1 should be maintained within an optimal range to specify RPE through transcriptional regulation of Wnt target genes in the optic neuroepithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Myeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Kwang Wook Min
- Department of Biological Sciences and KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - You-Joung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Ron Smits
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Konrad Basler
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jin Woo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
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3
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Wilkinson EL, Brennan LC, Harrison OJ, Crane‐Smith Z, Gautier P, Keighren MA, Budd P, Swaminathan K, Machesky LM, Allinson SL, Jackson IJ, Mort RL. Genetically engineered multicistronic allele of Pmel yielding highly specific CreERT2-mediated recombination in the melanocyte lineage. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:71-77. [PMID: 36412082 PMCID: PMC10107733 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Genetic approaches that allow lineage tracing are essential to our future understanding of melanocytes and melanoma. To date, the approaches used to label melanocytes in mice have relied on random integration of transgenes driven by the promoters of the Tyrosinase and Dopachrome tautomerase genes, knock-in to the Dopachrome tautomerase locus or knock-in to the Mlana locus in a bacterial artificial chromosome. These strategies result in expression in other tissues such as telencephalon and other cell types such as nerves. Here we used homologous recombination in mouse embryonic stem cells to generate a targeted multicistronic allele of the Pmel locus that drives melanocyte-specific expression of CreERT2, nuclear localised H2B-Cerulean and membrane localised marcks-mKate2 allowing live imaging of melanocytes and activation of other conditional alleles. We combined this allele with R26R-EYFP mice allowing induction of EYFP expression on administration of tamoxifen or its metabolite 4-OHT. The fluorescent proteins H2B-Cerulean and marcks-mKate2 label the cell nucleus and plasma membrane respectively allowing live imaging and FACS isolation of melanoblasts and melanocytes as well as serving to provide an internal control allowing estimation of recombination efficiency after administration of tamoxifen. We demonstrate the utility of the transgene in embryonic and adult tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Wilkinson
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and MedicineLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
| | - Louise C. Brennan
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and MedicineLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
| | - Olivia J. Harrison
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General HospitalUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Zoe Crane‐Smith
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General HospitalUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Philippe Gautier
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General HospitalUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Margaret A. Keighren
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General HospitalUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Peter Budd
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General HospitalUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Karthic Swaminathan
- Centre for Skin Sciences, Faculty of Life SciencesUniversity of BradfordBradfordUK
| | - Laura M. Machesky
- Cancer Research UK, Beatson Institute, and Institute of Cancer SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Sarah L. Allinson
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and MedicineLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
| | - Ian J. Jackson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General HospitalUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Roslin InstituteUniversity of EdinburghRoslinUK
| | - Richard L. Mort
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and MedicineLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
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4
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Nasrin M, Ahmed O, Han X, Nojebuzzaman M, Abo-Ahmed AI, Yazawa S, Osawa M. Generation of Pmel-dependent conditional and inducible Cre-driver mouse line for melanocytic-targeted gene manipulation. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:53-70. [PMID: 36318272 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Conditional and inducible gene targeting using Cre/loxP-mediated recombination is a powerful reverse genetics approach used to study spatiotemporal gene functions in specified cell types. To enable temporal gene manipulation in the melanocyte lineage, we established a novel inducible Cre-driver mouse line by targeting an all-in-one tetracycline/doxycycline (Dox)-inducible Cre expression cassette into the Pmel locus (PmelP2A-TetON3G-TRE3G-iCre ), a gene locus preferentially expressed in pigment cells. By crossing these Cre-driver mice with a strong Cre-reporter mouse line, Gt(ROSA)26Sortm9(CAG-tdTomato)Hze , we show the effectiveness of the PmelP2A-TetON3G-TRE3G-iCre mouse line in facilitating Dox-inducible Cre/loxP recombination in a wide variety of pigment cell lineages including hair follicle melanocytes and their stem cells. Furthermore, to demonstrate proof of concept, we ablated Notch signaling postnatally in the PmelP2A-TetON3G-TRE3G-iCre mice. In agreement with the previously reported phenotype, induced ablation of Notch signaling in the melanocyte lineage resulted in premature hair graying, demonstrating the utility of the PmelP2A-TetON3G-TRE3G-iCre allele. Therefore, the PmelP2A-TetON3G-TRE3G-iCre mouse line is suitable for assessing gene functions in melanocytes using an in vivo inducible reverse genetics approach. Furthermore, we unexpectedly identified previously unrecognized PMEL-expressing cells in non-pigmentary organs in the mice, suggesting unanticipated functions of PMEL other than melanosome formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morsheda Nasrin
- Department of Regeneration and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Osama Ahmed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh, Egypt
| | - Xujun Han
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Md Nojebuzzaman
- Department of Regeneration and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Ahmed I Abo-Ahmed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh, Egypt
| | - Shigenobu Yazawa
- Department of Regeneration and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Masatake Osawa
- Department of Regeneration and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
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5
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Lim S, Kim YJ, Park S, Choi JH, Sung YH, Nishimori K, Kozmik Z, Lee HW, Kim JW. mTORC1-induced retinal progenitor cell overproliferation leads to accelerated mitotic aging and degeneration of descendent Müller glia. eLife 2021; 10:70079. [PMID: 34677125 PMCID: PMC8577849 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) divide in limited numbers to generate the cells comprising vertebrate retina. The molecular mechanism that leads RPC to the division limit, however, remains elusive. Here, we find that the hyperactivation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in an RPC subset by deletion of tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (Tsc1) makes the RPCs arrive at the division limit precociously and produce Müller glia (MG) that degenerate from senescence-associated cell death. We further show the hyperproliferation of Tsc1-deficient RPCs and the degeneration of MG in the mouse retina disappear by concomitant deletion of hypoxia-induced factor 1-alpha (Hif1a), which induces glycolytic gene expression to support mTORC1-induced RPC proliferation. Collectively, our results suggest that, by having mTORC1 constitutively active, an RPC divides and exhausts mitotic capacity faster than neighboring RPCs, and thus produces retinal cells that degenerate with aging-related changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyeon Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - You-Joung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyeon Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Heon Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hoon Sung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Yonsei, Republic of Korea.,Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Department of Obesity and Internal Inflammation; Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Han-Woong Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Yonsei, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Woo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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6
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Choi EH, Suh S, Einstein DE, Leinonen H, Dong Z, Rao SR, Fliesler SJ, Blackshaw S, Yu M, Peachey NS, Palczewski K, Kiser PD. An inducible Cre mouse for studying roles of the RPE in retinal physiology and disease. JCI Insight 2021; 6:146604. [PMID: 33784255 PMCID: PMC8262343 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.146604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) provides vital metabolic support for retinal photoreceptor cells and is an important player in numerous retinal diseases. Gene manipulation in mice using the Cre-LoxP system is an invaluable tool for studying the genetic basis of these retinal diseases. However, existing RPE-targeted Cre mouse lines have critical limitations that restrict their reliability for studies of disease pathogenesis and treatment, including mosaic Cre expression, inducer-independent activity, off-target Cre expression, and intrinsic toxicity. Here, we report the generation and characterization of a knockin mouse line in which a P2A-CreERT2 coding sequence is fused with the native RPE-specific 65 kDa protein (Rpe65) gene for cotranslational expression of CreERT2. Cre+/– mice were able to recombine a stringent Cre reporter allele with more than 99% efficiency and absolute RPE specificity upon tamoxifen induction at both postnatal days (PD) 21 and 50. Tamoxifen-independent Cre activity was negligible at PD64. Moreover, tamoxifen-treated Cre+/– mice displayed no signs of structural or functional retinal pathology up to 4 months of age. Despite weak RPE65 expression from the knockin allele, visual cycle function was normal in Cre+/– mice. These data indicate that Rpe65CreERT2 mice are well suited for studies of gene function and pathophysiology in the RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot H Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Susie Suh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - David E Einstein
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California, USA
| | - Henri Leinonen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Zhiqian Dong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Sriganesh Ramachandra Rao
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.,Research Service, VA Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Steven J Fliesler
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.,Research Service, VA Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Minzhong Yu
- Department of Ophthalmic Research, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Neal S Peachey
- Department of Ophthalmic Research, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Philip D Kiser
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California, USA
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7
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An efficient inducible RPE-Selective cre transgenic mouse line. Exp Eye Res 2020; 202:108370. [PMID: 33264655 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cre-mediated modulation of gene function in the murine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) has been widely used, but current postnatal RPE-selective Cre driver lines suffer from limited recombination efficiency and/or ectopic or mosaic expression. We sought to generate a transgenic mouse line with consistently efficient RPE-selective Cre activity that could be temporally regulated. We used ϕC31 integrase to insert a DNA construct encoding a human BEST1 promoter fragment driving a Cre recombinase estrogen receptor fusion (BEST1-CreERT2) at the Rosa26 locus of C57BL/6J mice. Rosa26BEST1-CreERT2 mice were bred with a tdTomato reporter line and to mice with a Cre-conditional allele of Tfam. 4-hydroxytamoxifen or vehicle was delivered by four consecutive daily intraperitoneal injections. TdTomato was robustly expressed in the RPE of mice of both sexes for inductions beginning at P14 (males 90.7 ± 4.5%, females 84.7 ± 3.2%) and at 7 weeks (males 84.3 ± 7.0%, females 82 ± 3.6%). <0.6% of Muller glia also expressed tdTomato, but no tdTomato fluorescence was observed in other ocular cells or in multiple non-ocular tissues, with the exception of sparse foci in the testis. No evidence of retinal toxicity was observed in mice homozygous for the transgene induced beginning at P14 and assessed at 7-10 months. RPE-selective ablation of Tfam beginning at P14 led to reduced retinal thickness at 8 months of age and diminished retinal electrical responses at 12 months, as expected. These findings demonstrate that we have generated a mouse line with consistently efficient, tamoxifen-mediated postnatal induction of Cre recombination in the RPE and a small fraction of Muller glia. This line should be useful for temporally regulated modulation of gene function in the murine RPE.
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8
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Schneider S, Hotaling N, Campos M, Patnaik SR, Bharti K, May-Simera HL. Generation of an inducible RPE-specific Cre transgenic-mouse line. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207222. [PMID: 30440011 PMCID: PMC6237357 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is an epithelial monolayer in the back of the vertebrate eye. RPE dysfunction is associated with retinal degeneration and blindness. In order to fully understand how dysregulation affects visual function, RPE-specific gene knockouts are indispensable. Since the currently available RPE-specific Cre recombinases show lack of specificity or poor recombination, we sought to generate an alternative. We generated a tamoxifen-inducible RPE-specific Cre transgenic mouse line under transcriptional control of an RPE-specific Tyrosinase enhancer. We characterized the Cre-mediated recombinant expression by crossing our RPE-Tyrosinase-CreErT2 mouse line with the tdTomato reporter line, Ai14. Detected fluorescence was quantified via high-content image analysis. Recombination was predominantly observed in the RPE and adjacent ciliary body. RPE flatmount preparations revealed a high level of recombination in adult mice (47.25-69.48%). Regional analysis of dorsal, ventral, nasal and temporal areas did not show significant changes in recombination. However, recombination was higher in the central RPE compared to the periphery. Higher levels of Cre-mediated recombinant expression was observed in embryonic RPE (~83%). Compared to other RPE-specific Cre transgenic mouse lines, this newly generated RPE-Tyrosinase-CreErT2 line shows a more uniform and higher level of recombination with the advantage to initiate recombination in both, prenatal and postnatal animals. This line can serve as a valuable tool for researches exploring the role of individual gene functions, in both developing and differentiated RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schneider
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nathan Hotaling
- National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Maria Campos
- National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Sarita Rani Patnaik
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kapil Bharti
- National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
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9
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Moon KH, Kim HT, Lee D, Rao MB, Levine EM, Lim DS, Kim JW. Differential Expression of NF2 in Neuroepithelial Compartments Is Necessary for Mammalian Eye Development. Dev Cell 2017; 44:13-28.e3. [PMID: 29249622 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The optic neuroepithelial continuum of vertebrate eye develops into three differentially growing compartments: the retina, the ciliary margin (CM), and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Neurofibromin 2 (Nf2) is strongly expressed in slowly expanding RPE and CM compartments, and the loss of mouse Nf2 causes hyperplasia in these compartments, replicating the ocular abnormalities seen in human NF2 patients. The hyperplastic ocular phenotypes were largely suppressed by heterozygous deletion of Yap and Taz, key targets of the Nf2-Hippo signaling pathway. We also found that, in addition to feedback transcriptional regulation of Nf2 by Yap/Taz in the CM, activation of Nf2 expression by Mitf in the RPE and suppression by Sox2 in retinal progenitor cells are necessary for the differential growth of the corresponding cell populations. Together, our findings reveal that Nf2 is a key player that orchestrates the differential growth of optic neuroepithelial compartments during vertebrate eye development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeong Hwan Moon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Hyoung-Tai Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Dahye Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Mahesh B Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Edward M Levine
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Dae-Sik Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Jin Woo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea.
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10
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Pérez-Guijarro E, Day CP, Merlino G, Zaidi MR. Genetically engineered mouse models of melanoma. Cancer 2017; 123:2089-2103. [PMID: 28543694 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is a complex disease that exhibits highly heterogeneous etiological, histopathological, and genetic features, as well as therapeutic responses. Genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models provide powerful tools to unravel the molecular mechanisms critical for melanoma development and drug resistance. Here, we expound briefly the basis of the mouse modeling design, the available technology for genetic engineering, and the aspects influencing the use of GEMs to model melanoma. Furthermore, we describe in detail the currently available GEM models of melanoma. Cancer 2017;123:2089-103. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Pérez-Guijarro
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Chi-Ping Day
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Glenn Merlino
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - M Raza Zaidi
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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11
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Crawford M, Leclerc V, Dagnino L. A reporter mouse model for in vivo tracing and in vitro molecular studies of melanocytic lineage cells and their diseases. Biol Open 2017. [PMID: 28642245 PMCID: PMC5576081 DOI: 10.1242/bio.025833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in melanocytic lineage cells give rise to a plethora of distinct human diseases, including neurocristopathies, cutaneous pigmentation disorders, loss of vision and hearing, and melanoma. Understanding the ontogeny and biology of melanocytic cells, as well as how they interact with their surrounding environment, are key steps in the development of therapies for diseases that involve this cell lineage. Efforts to culture and characterize primary melanocytes from normal or genetically engineered mouse models have at times yielded contrasting observations. This is due, in part, to differences in the conditions used to isolate, purify and culture these cells in individual studies. By breeding ROSAmT/mG and Tyr::CreERT2 mice, we generated animals in which melanocytic lineage cells are identified through expression of green fluorescent protein. We also used defined conditions to systematically investigate the proliferation and migration responses of primary melanocytes on various extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates. Under our culture conditions, mouse melanocytes exhibit doubling times in the range of 10 days, and retain exponential proliferative capacity for 50-60 days. In culture, these melanocytes showed distinct responses to different ECM substrates. Specifically, laminin-332 promoted cell spreading, formation of dendrites, random motility and directional migration. In contrast, low or intermediate concentrations of collagen I promoted adhesion and acquisition of a bipolar morphology, and interfered with melanocyte forward movements. Our systematic evaluation of primary melanocyte responses emphasizes the importance of clearly defining culture conditions for these cells. This, in turn, is essential for the interpretation of melanocyte responses to extracellular cues and to understand the molecular basis of disorders involving the melanocytic cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Crawford
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Valerie Leclerc
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Lina Dagnino
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
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12
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Ha T, Moon KH, Dai L, Hatakeyama J, Yoon K, Park HS, Kong YY, Shimamura K, Kim JW. The Retinal Pigment Epithelium Is a Notch Signaling Niche in the Mouse Retina. Cell Rep 2017; 19:351-363. [PMID: 28402857 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 01/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling in neural progenitor cell is triggered by ligands expressed in adjacent cells. To identify the sources of active Notch ligands in the mouse retina, we negatively regulated Notch ligand activity in various neighbors of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) by eliminating mindbomb E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (Mib1). Mib1-deficient retinal cells failed to induce Notch activation in intra-lineage RPCs, which prematurely differentiated into neurons; however, Mib1 in post-mitotic retinal ganglion cells was not important. Interestingly, Mib1 in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) also contributed to Notch activation in adjacent RPCs by supporting the localization of active Notch ligands at RPE-RPC contacts. Combining this RPE-driven Notch signaling and intra-retinal Notch signaling, we propose a model in which one RPC daughter receives extra Notch signals from the RPE to become an RPC, whereas its sister cell receives only a subthreshold level of intra-retinal Notch signal and differentiates into a neuron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taejeong Ha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Kyeong Hwan Moon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Le Dai
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Jun Hatakeyama
- Department of Brain Morphogenesis, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Keejung Yoon
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16419, South Korea
| | - Hee-Sae Park
- Hormone Research Center, School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Young-Yoon Kong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Kenji Shimamura
- Department of Brain Morphogenesis, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Jin Woo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea.
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13
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Age- and gene-dosage-dependent cre-induced abnormalities in the retinal pigment epithelium. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2014; 184:1660-7. [PMID: 24854863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
To conditionally inactivate genes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transgenic mouse strains have been developed, in which Cre recombinase (Cre) expression is driven by an RPE-specific gene promoter. The RPE is a quiescent epithelium, and continuous expression of Cre could affect its function. Here, we tested the hypothesis that continuous postnatal Cre expression in the RPE may lead to cellular abnormalities, which may depend on both age and Cre gene dosage. We therefore examined the eyes of homozygous and heterozygous VMD2-Cre mice at various ages. In VMD2-Cre heterozygous mice variable progressive age-dependent RPE abnormalities were noticed, including attenuation of phalloidin and cytoplasmic active β-catenin staining, reduced cell size, and loss of the typical honeycomb pattern of RPE morphology in those RPE cells that stained for Cre. These morphological RPE abnormalities were not noticed in Cre-negative RPE cells in VMD2-Cre or age-matched control mice. In addition, an abnormal number and morphology of cell nuclei were noticed in a subset of Cre-expressing RPE cells in aged heterozygous VMD2-Cre mice, whereas more severe nuclear abnormalities were observed already in young homozygous VMD2-Cre mice. Thus, continuous postnatal expression of Cre causes abnormalities in the RPE in an age- and Cre gene dosage-dependent manner, which needs to be considered in the interpretation of gene targeting studies in the RPE.
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14
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Sarode B, Nowell CS, Ihm J, Kostic C, Arsenijevic Y, Moulin AP, Schorderet DF, Beermann F, Radtke F. Notch signaling in the pigmented epithelium of the anterior eye segment promotes ciliary body development at the expense of iris formation. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 27:580-9. [DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bhushan Sarode
- School of Life Science; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Lausanne Switzerland
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC); Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Craig S. Nowell
- School of Life Science; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Lausanne Switzerland
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC); Lausanne Switzerland
| | - JongEun Ihm
- School of Life Science; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Corinne Kostic
- Unit of Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Biology; Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital; University of Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
- Eye Pathology Laboratory; Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital; University of Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Yvan Arsenijevic
- Unit of Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Biology; Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital; University of Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
- Eye Pathology Laboratory; Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital; University of Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Alexandre P. Moulin
- Eye Pathology Laboratory; Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital; University of Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Daniel F. Schorderet
- School of Life Science; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Lausanne Switzerland
- Eye Pathology Laboratory; Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital; University of Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
- IRO - Institute for Research in Ophthalmology; Sion Switzerland
| | - Friedrich Beermann
- School of Life Science; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Lausanne Switzerland
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC); Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Freddy Radtke
- School of Life Science; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Lausanne Switzerland
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC); Lausanne Switzerland
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15
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Shyam K Sharan KB, Sharan SK. Manipulating the Mouse Genome Using Recombineering. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2013; 2. [PMID: 31404315 DOI: 10.4172/2169-0111.1000108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered mouse models are indispensable for understanding the biological function of genes, understanding the genetic basis of human diseases and for preclinical testing of novel therapies. Generation of such mouse models has been possible because of our ability to manipulate the mouse genome. Recombineering is a highly efficient recombination-based method of genetic engineering that has revolutionized our ability to generate mouse models. Since recombineering technology is not dependent on the availability of restriction enzyme recognition sites, it allows us to modify the genome with great precision. It requires homology arms as short as 40 bases for recombination, which makes it relatively easy to generate targeting constructs to insert, change or delete either a single nucleotide or a DNA fragment several kb in size; insert selectable markers, reporter genes or add epitope tags to any gene of interest. In this review, we focus on the development of recombineering technology and its application in the generation of transgenic and knockout or knock-in mouse models. High throughput generation of gene targeting vectors, used to construct knockout alleles in mouse embryonic stem cells, is now feasible because of this technology. The challenge now is to use the "designer" mice to develop novel therapies to prevent, cure or effectively manage some the most debilitating human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shyam K Sharan
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland 21702
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Pshenichnaya I, Schouwey K, Armaro M, Larue L, Knoepfler PS, Eisenman RN, Trumpp A, Delmas V, Beermann F. Constitutive gray hair in mice induced by melanocyte-specific deletion of c-Myc. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2012; 25:312-25. [PMID: 22420299 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2012.00998.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
c-Myc is involved in the control of diverse cellular processes and implicated in the maintenance of different tissues including the neural crest. Here, we report that c-Myc is particularly important for pigment cell development and homeostasis. Targeting c-Myc specifically in the melanocyte lineage using the floxed allele of c-Myc and Tyr::Cre transgenic mice results in a congenital gray hair phenotype. The gray coat color is associated with a reduced number of functional melanocytes in the hair bulb and melanocyte stem cells in the hair bulge. Importantly, the gray phenotype does not progress with time, suggesting that maintenance of the melanocyte through the hair cycle does not involve c-Myc function. In embryos, at E13.5, c-Myc-deficient melanocyte precursors are affected in proliferation in concordance with a reduction in numbers, showing that c-Myc is required for the proper melanocyte development. Interestingly, melanocytes from c-Myc-deficient mice display elevated levels of the c-Myc paralog N-Myc. Double deletion of c-Myc and N-Myc results in nearly complete loss of the residual pigmentation, indicating that N-Myc is capable of compensating for c-Myc loss of function in melanocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Pshenichnaya
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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17
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Schneider MR. Genetic mouse models for skin research: strategies and resources. Genesis 2012; 50:652-64. [PMID: 22467532 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A number of features contributed to establishing the mouse as the favorite model organism for skin research: the genetic and pathophysiological similarities to humans, the small size and relatively short reproductive period, meaning low maintenance costs, and the availability of sophisticated tools for manipulating the genome, gametes, and embryos. While initial studies depended on strains displaying skin abnormalities due to spontaneous genetic mutations, the availability of the transgenic and knockout technologies and their astonishing perfection during the last decades allowed the development of mouse lines permitting any imaginable genetic modification including gene inactivation, substitution, modification, or overexpression. While these technologies have already contributed to the functional analysis of several genes and processes related to skin research, continued progress requires understanding, awareness, and access to these mouse resources. This review will identify the strategies currently employed for the genetic manipulation of mice in skin research, and outline current resources and their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlon R Schneider
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
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Thanos A, Morizane Y, Murakami Y, Giani A, Mantopoulos D, Kayama M, Roh MI, Michaud N, Pawlyk B, Sandberg M, Young LH, Miller JW, Vavvas DG. Evidence for baseline retinal pigment epithelium pathology in the Trp1-Cre mouse. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2012; 180:1917-27. [PMID: 22429967 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2011] [Revised: 12/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The increasing popularity of the Cre/loxP recombination system has led to the generation of numerous transgenic mouse lines in which Cre recombinase is expressed under the control of organ- or cell-specific promoters. Alterations in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a multifunctional cell monolayer that separates the retinal photoreceptors from the choroid, are prevalent in the pathogenesis of a number of ocular disorders, including age-related macular degeneration. To date, six transgenic mouse lines have been developed that target Cre to the RPE under the control of various gene promoters. However, multiple lines of evidence indicate that high levels of Cre expression can be toxic to mammalian cells. In this study, we report that in the Trp1-Cre mouse, a commonly used transgenic Cre strain for RPE gene function studies, Cre recombinase expression alone leads to RPE dysfunction and concomitant disorganization of RPE layer morphology, large areas of RPE atrophy, retinal photoreceptor dysfunction, and microglial cell activation in the affected areas. The phenotype described herein is similar to previously published reports of conditional gene knockouts that used the Trp1-Cre mouse, suggesting that Cre toxicity alone could account for some of the reported phenotypes and highlighting the importance of the inclusion of Cre-expressing mice as controls in conditional gene targeting studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristomenis Thanos
- Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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Aydin IT, Hummler E, Smit NPM, Beermann F. Coat color dilution in mice because of inactivation of the melanoma antigen MART-1. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2011; 25:37-46. [PMID: 21943097 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2011.00910.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (MART-1) is a melanoma-specific antigen, which has been thoroughly studied in the context of immunotherapy against malignant melanoma and which is found only in the pigment cell lineage. However, its exact function and involvement in pigmentation is not clearly understood. Melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 has been shown to interact with the melanosomal proteins Pmel17 and OA1. To understand the function of MART-1 in pigmentation, we developed a new knockout mouse model. Mice deficient in MART-1 are viable, but loss of MART-1 leads to a coat color phenotype, with a reduction in total melanin content of the skin and hair. Lack of MART-1 did not affect localization of melanocyte-specific proteins nor maturation of Pmel17. Melanosomes of hair follicle melanocytes in MART-1 knockout mice displayed morphological abnormalities, which were exclusive to stage III and IV melanosomes. In conclusion, our results suggest that MART-1 is a pigmentation gene that is required for melanosome biogenesis and/or maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iraz T Aydin
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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