1
|
Garcia-Gonzalez I, Rocha SF, Hamidi A, Garcia-Ortega L, Regano A, Sanchez-Muñoz M, Lytvyn M, Garcia-Cabero A, Roig-Soucase S, Schoofs H, Castro M, Sabata H, Potente M, Graupera M, Makinen T, Benedito R. iSuRe-HadCre is an essential tool for effective conditional genetics. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:e56. [PMID: 38850155 PMCID: PMC11260470 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Methods for modifying gene function at high spatiotemporal resolution in mice have revolutionized biomedical research, with Cre-loxP being the most widely used technology. However, the Cre-loxP technology has several drawbacks, including weak activity, leakiness, toxicity, and low reliability of existing Cre-reporters. This is mainly because different genes flanked by loxP sites (floxed) vary widely in their sensitivity to Cre-mediated recombination. Here, we report the generation, validation, and utility of iSuRe-HadCre, a new dual Cre-reporter and deleter mouse line that avoids these drawbacks. iSuRe-HadCre achieves this through a novel inducible dual-recombinase genetic cascade that ensures that cells expressing a fluorescent reporter had only transient Cre activity, that is nonetheless sufficient to effectively delete floxed genes. iSuRe-HadCre worked reliably in all cell types and for the 13 floxed genes tested. This new tool will enable the precise, efficient, and trustworthy analysis of gene function in entire mouse tissues or in single cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Garcia-Gonzalez
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana F Rocha
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Anahita Hamidi
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lourdes Garcia-Ortega
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Regano
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria S Sanchez-Muñoz
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariya Lytvyn
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aroa Garcia-Cabero
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergi Roig-Soucase
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Hans Schoofs
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marco Castro
- Angiogenesis & Metabolism Laboratory, Center of Vascular Biomedicine, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helena Sabata
- Endothelial Pathobiology and Microenviroment Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Michael Potente
- Angiogenesis & Metabolism Laboratory, Center of Vascular Biomedicine, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mariona Graupera
- Endothelial Pathobiology and Microenviroment Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. de Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- ICREA, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Taija Makinen
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Research Programs Unit, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Wihuri Research Institute, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rui Benedito
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Foster MP, Benedek MJ, Billings TD, Montgomery JS. Dynamics in Cre-loxP site-specific recombination. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 88:102878. [PMID: 39029281 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Cre recombinase is a phage-derived enzyme that has found utility for precise manipulation of DNA sequences. Cre recognizes and recombines pairs of loxP sequences characterized by an inverted repeat and asymmetric spacer. Cre cleaves and religates its DNA targets such that error-prone repair pathways are not required to generate intact DNA products. Major obstacles to broader applications are lack of knowledge of how Cre recognizes its targets, and how its activity is controlled. The picture emerging from high resolution methods is that the dynamic properties of both the enzyme and its DNA target are important determinants of its activity in both sequence recognition and DNA cleavage. Improved understanding of the role of dynamics in the key steps along the pathway of Cre-loxP recombination should significantly advance our ability to both redirect Cre to new sequences and to control its DNA cleavage activity in the test tube and in cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Foster
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Matthew J Benedek
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tyler D Billings
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan S Montgomery
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hosur V, Erhardt V, Hartig E, Lorenzo K, Megathlin H, Tarchini B. Large-Scale Genome-Wide Optimization and Prediction of the Cre Recombinase System for Precise Genome Manipulation in Mice. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4595968. [PMID: 39011108 PMCID: PMC11247941 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4595968/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The Cre-Lox recombination system is a powerful tool in mouse genetics, offering spatial-temporal control over gene expression and facilitating the large-scale generation of conditional knockout mice. Its versatility also extends to other research models, such as rats, pigs, and zebrafish. However, the Cre-Lox technology presents a set of challenges that includes high costs, a time-intensive process, and the occurrence of unpredictable recombination events, which can lead to unexpected phenotypic outcomes. To better understand factors affecting recombination, we embarked on a systematic and genome-wide analysis of Cre-mediated recombination in mice. To ensure uniformity and reproducibility, we generated 11 novel strains with conditional alleles at the ROSA26 locus, utilizing a single inbred mouse strain background, C57BL/6J. We examined several factors influencing Cre-recombination, including the inter-loxP distance, mutant loxP sites, the zygosity of the conditional alleles, chromosomal location, and the age of the breeders. We discovered that the selection of the Cre-driver strain profoundly impacts recombination efficiency. We also found that successful and complete recombination is best achieved when loxP sites are spaced between 1 to 4 kb apart, with mutant loxP sites facilitating recombination at distances of 1 to 3 kb. Furthermore, we demonstrate that complete recombination does not occur at an inter-loxP distance of ≥ 15 kb with wildtype loxP sites, nor at a distance of ≥ 7 kb with mutant lox71/66 sites. Interestingly, the age of the Cre-driver mouse at the time of breeding emerged as a critical factor in recombination efficiency, with best results observed between 8 and 20 weeks old. Moreover, crossing heterozygous floxed alleles with the Cre-driver strain resulted in more efficient recombination than using homozygous floxed alleles. Lastly, maintaining an inter-loxP distance of 4 kb or less ensures efficient recombination of the conditional allele, regardless of the chromosomal location. While CRISPR/Cas has revolutionized genome editing in mice, Cre-Lox technology remains a cornerstone for the generation of sophisticated alleles and for precise control of gene expression in mice. The knowledge gained here will enable investigators to select a Cre-Lox approach that is most efficient for their desired outcome in the generation of both germline and non-germline mouse models of human disease, thereby reducing time and cost of Cre-Lox technology-mediated genome modification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elli Hartig
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Erhardt V, Hartig E, Lorenzo K, Megathlin HR, Tarchini B, Hosur V. Large-Scale Genome-Wide Optimization and Prediction of the Cre Recombinase System for Precise Genome Manipulation in Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.14.599022. [PMID: 38948742 PMCID: PMC11212873 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.14.599022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The Cre-Lox recombination system is a powerful tool in mouse genetics, offering spatial-temporal control over gene expression and facilitating the large-scale generation of conditional knockout mice. Its versatility also extends to other research models, such as rats, pigs, and zebrafish. However, the Cre-Lox technology presents a set of challenges that includes high costs, a time-intensive process, and the occurrence of unpredictable recombination events, which can lead to unexpected phenotypic outcomes. To better understand factors affecting recombination, we embarked on a systematic and genome-wide analysis of Cre-mediated recombination in mice. To ensure uniformity and reproducibility, we generated 11 novel strains with conditional alleles at the ROSA26 locus, utilizing a single inbred mouse strain background, C57BL/6J. We examined several factors influencing Cre-recombination, including the inter-loxP distance, mutant loxP sites, the zygosity of the conditional alleles, chromosomal location, and the age of the breeders. We discovered that the selection of the Cre-driver strain profoundly impacts recombination efficiency. We also found that successful and complete recombination is best achieved when loxP sites are spaced between 1 to 4 kb apart, with mutant loxP sites facilitating recombination at distances of 1 to 3 kb. Furthermore, we demonstrate that complete recombination does not occur at an inter-loxP distance of ≥ 15 kb with wildtype loxP sites, nor at a distance of ≥ 7 kb with mutant lox71/66 sites. Interestingly, the age of the Cre-driver mouse at the time of breeding emerged as a critical factor in recombination efficiency, with best results observed between 8 and 20 weeks old. Moreover, crossing heterozygous floxed alleles with the Cre-driver strain resulted in more efficient recombination than using homozygous floxed alleles. Lastly, maintaining an inter-loxP distance of 4 kb or less ensures efficient recombination of the conditional allele, regardless of the chromosomal location. While CRISPR/Cas has revolutionized genome editing in mice, Cre-Lox technology remains a cornerstone for the generation of sophisticated alleles and for precise control of gene expression in mice. The knowledge gained here will enable investigators to select a Cre-Lox approach that is most efficient for their desired outcome in the generation of both germline and non-germline mouse models of human disease, thereby reducing time and cost of Cre-Lox technology-mediated genome modification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Erhardt
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
| | - Elli Hartig
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Kristian Lorenzo
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
- The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, Portland, ME
| | - Hannah R Megathlin
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, UMaine, Orono, ME
| | - Basile Tarchini
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Vishnu Hosur
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sieler M, Dörnen J, Dittmar T. How Much Do You Fuse? A Comparison of Cell Fusion Assays in a Breast Cancer Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5668. [PMID: 38891857 PMCID: PMC11172233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115668] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell fusion is a biological process that is crucial for the development and homeostasis of different tissues, but it is also pathophysiologically associated with tumor progression and malignancy. The investigation of cell fusion processes is difficult because there is no standardized marker. Many studies therefore use different systems to observe and quantify cell fusion in vitro and in vivo. The comparability of the results must be critically questioned, because both the experimental procedure and the assays differ between studies. The comparability of the fluorescence-based fluorescence double reporter (FDR) and dual split protein (DSP) assay was investigated as part of this study, in which general conditions were kept largely constant. In order to be able to induce both a high and a low cell fusion rate, M13SV1 breast epithelial cells were modified with regard to the expression level of the fusogenic protein Syncytin-1 and its receptor ASCT2 and were co-cultivated for 72 h with different breast cancer cell lines. A high number of fused cells was found in co-cultures with Syncytin-1-overexpressing M13SV1 cells, but differences between the assays were also observed. This shows that the quantification of cell fusion events in particular is highly dependent on the assay selected, but the influence of fusogenic proteins can be visualized very well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Sieler
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58453 Witten, Germany; (M.S.); (J.D.)
| | - Jessica Dörnen
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58453 Witten, Germany; (M.S.); (J.D.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58453 Witten, Germany; (M.S.); (J.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dai P, Ma C, Chen C, Liang M, Dong S, Chen H, Zhang X. Unlocking Genetic Mysteries during the Epic Sperm Journey toward Fertilization: Further Expanding Cre Mouse Lines. Biomolecules 2024; 14:529. [PMID: 38785936 PMCID: PMC11117649 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050529] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The spatiotemporal expression patterns of genes are crucial for maintaining normal physiological functions in animals. Conditional gene knockout using the cyclization recombination enzyme (Cre)/locus of crossover of P1 (Cre/LoxP) strategy has been extensively employed for functional assays at specific tissue or developmental stages. This approach aids in uncovering the associations between phenotypes and gene regulation while minimizing interference among distinct tissues. Various Cre-engineered mouse models have been utilized in the male reproductive system, including Dppa3-MERCre for primordial germ cells, Ddx4-Cre and Stra8-Cre for spermatogonia, Prm1-Cre and Acrv1-iCre for haploid spermatids, Cyp17a1-iCre for the Leydig cell, Sox9-Cre for the Sertoli cell, and Lcn5/8/9-Cre for differentiated segments of the epididymis. Notably, the specificity and functioning stage of Cre recombinases vary, and the efficiency of recombination driven by Cre depends on endogenous promoters with different sequences as well as the constructed Cre vectors, even when controlled by an identical promoter. Cre mouse models generated via traditional recombination or CRISPR/Cas9 also exhibit distinct knockout properties. This review focuses on Cre-engineered mouse models applied to the male reproductive system, including Cre-targeting strategies, mouse model screening, and practical challenges encountered, particularly with novel mouse strains over the past decade. It aims to provide valuable references for studies conducted on the male reproductive system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (P.D.); (C.M.); (C.C.); (M.L.); (S.D.); (H.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Glendenning LM, Reynero KM, Cobb BA. Glycosylation as a tracer of off-target Cre-lox activation in development. Glycobiology 2024; 34:cwae023. [PMID: 38438159 PMCID: PMC11031139 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwae023] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The Cre-lox system is one of the most widely used methods for lineage-specific and inducible genome editing in vivo. However, incomplete penetrance and off-target effects due to transient promoter expression in a stem or pluripotent precursor cell can be problematic and difficult to detect, especially if the target gene is not normally present in the fully differentiated but off-target cells. Yet, the loss of the target gene through the transient expression of Cre may impact the differentiation of those cells by virtue of transient expression in a precursor population. In these situations, off-target effects in an unknown precursor cell can, at best, complicate conclusions drawn from the model, and at worst, invalidate all data generated from that knockout strain. Thus, identifying Cre-driver promoter expression along entire cell lineages is crucial to improve rigor and reproducibility. As an example, transient expression in an early precursor cell has been documented in a variety of Cre strains such as the Tie2-based Cre-driver system that is used as an "endothelial cell-specific" model 1. Yet, Tie2 is now known to be transiently expressed in a stem cell upstream of both hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages. Here, we use the Tie2 Cre-driver strain to demonstrate that due to its ubiquitous nature, plasma membrane glycans are a useful marker of both penetrance and specificity of a Cre-based knockout.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leandre M Glendenning
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-7288, United States
| | - Kalob M Reynero
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-7288, United States
| | - Brian A Cobb
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-7288, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Datta P, Rhee KD, Staudt RJ, Thompson JM, Hsu Y, Hassan S, Drack AV, Seo S. Delivering large genes using adeno-associated virus and the CRE-lox DNA recombination system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.10.588864. [PMID: 38645107 PMCID: PMC11030439 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.10.588864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a safe and efficient gene delivery vehicle for gene therapies. However, its relatively small packaging capacity limits its use as a gene transfer vector. Here, we describe a strategy to deliver large genes that exceed the AAV's packaging capacity using up to four AAV vectors and the CRE-lox DNA recombination system. We devised novel lox sites by combining non-compatible and reaction equilibrium-modifying lox site variants. These lox sites facilitate sequence-specific and near-unidirectional recombination of AAV vector genomes, enabling efficient reconstitution of up to 16 kb of therapeutic genes in a pre-determined configuration. Using this strategy, we have developed AAV gene therapy vectors to deliver IFT140 , PCDH15 , CEP290 , and CDH23 and demonstrate efficient production of full-length proteins in cultured mammalian cells and mouse retinas. Notably, this approach significantly surpasses the trans-splicing and split-intein-based reconstitution methods in efficiency, requiring lower doses, minimizing or eliminating the production of truncated protein products, and offering flexibility in selecting splitting positions. The CRE-lox approach described here provides a simple and effective platform for producing AAV gene therapy vectors beyond AAV's packaging capacity.
Collapse
|
9
|
Przanowska RK, Chen Y, Uchida TO, Shibata E, Hao X, Rueda IS, Jensen K, Przanowski P, Trimboli A, Shibata Y, Leone G, Dutta A. Endo-reduplication in mouse liver after conditional mutation of ORC2 and combined mutation of ORC1 and ORC2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.04.588006. [PMID: 38617300 PMCID: PMC11014565 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.04.588006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The six subunit Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) is essential for loading MCM2-7 at origins of DNA replication to promote initiation of DNA replication in organisms ranging from S. cerevisiae to humans. In rare instances, as in cancer cell-lines in culture with mutations in ORC1 , ORC2 or ORC5 , or in endo-reduplicating mouse hepatocytes in vivo without ORC1 , DNA replication has been observed in the virtual absence of individual ORC subunits. Although ORC1 is dispensable in the mouse liver for endo-reduplication, because of the homology of ORC1 with CDC6, it could be argued that CDC6 was substituting for ORC1 to restore functional ORC. Here, we have created mice with a conditional deletion of ORC2 , to demonstrate that mouse embryo fibroblasts require ORC2 for proliferation, but that the mouse hepatocytes can carry out DNA synthesis in vitro and endo-reduplicate in vivo , despite the deletion of ORC2 . Combining the conditional mutation of ORC1 and ORC2 revealed that the mouse liver can still carry out endo-reduplication despite the deletion of the two genes, both during normal development and after partial hepatectomy. Since endo-reduplication, like normal S phase replication, requires the presence of MCM2-7 on the chromatin, these results suggest that in primary hepatocytes there is a mechanism to load sufficient MCM2-7 to carry out effective DNA replication despite the virtual absence of two subunits of ORC.
Collapse
|
10
|
Kajitani Y, Miyazawa T, Inoue T, Kajitani N, Fujita M, Takeichi Y, Miyachi Y, Sakamoto R, Ogawa Y. High frequency of germline recombination in Nestin-Cre transgenic mice crossed with Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor floxed mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296006. [PMID: 38117787 PMCID: PMC10732384 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cre-loxP strategy for tissue-specific gene inactivation has become a widely employed tool in several research studies. Conversely, inadequate breeding and genotyping without considering the potential for non-specific Cre-recombinase expression may lead to misinterpretations of results. Nestin-Cre transgenic mice, widely used for the selective deletion of genes in neurons, have been observed to have an incidence of Cre-line germline recombination. In this study, we attempted to generate neuron-specific Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (Glp1r) knock-out mice by crossing mice harboring the Nestin-Cre transgene with mice harboring the Glp1r gene modified with loxP insertion, in order to elucidate the role of Glp1r signaling in the nervous system. Surprisingly, during this breeding process, we discovered that the null allele emerged in the offspring irrespective of the presence or absence of the Nestin-Cre transgene, with a high probability of occurrence (93.6%). To elucidate the cause of this null allele, we conducted breeding experiments between mice carrying the heterozygous Glp1r null allele but lacking the Nestin-Cre transgene. We confirmed that the null allele was inherited by the offspring independently of the Nestin-Cre transgene. Furthermore, we assessed the gene expression, protein expression, and phenotype of mice carrying the homozygous Glp1r null allele generated from the aforementioned breeding, thereby confirming that the null allele indeed caused a global knock-out of Glp1r. These findings suggest that the null allele in the NestinCre-Glp1r floxed breeding arose due to germline recombination. Moreover, we demonstrated the possibility that germline recombination may occur not only during the spermatogenesis at testis but also during epididymal sperm maturation. The striking frequency of germline recombination in the Nestin-Cre driver underscores the necessity for caution when implementing precise breeding strategies and employing suitable genotyping methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Kajitani
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takashi Miyazawa
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Inoue
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Nao Kajitani
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masamichi Fujita
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yukina Takeichi
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Miyachi
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ogawa
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tiyaboonchai A, Wakefield L, Vonada A, May CL, Dorrell C, Enicks D, Sairavi A, Kaestner KH, Grompe M. In vivo tracing of the Cytokeratin 14 lineages using self-cleaving guide RNAs and CRISPR/Cas9. Dev Biol 2023; 504:120-127. [PMID: 37813160 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The current gold-standard for genetic lineage tracing in transgenic mice is based on cell-type specific expression of Cre recombinase. As an alternative, we developed a cell-type specific CRISPR/spCas9 system for lineage tracing. This method relies on RNA polymerase II promoter driven self-cleaving guide RNAs (scgRNA) to achieve tissue-specificity. To demonstrate proof-of-principle for this approach a transgenic mouse was generated harbouring a knock-in of a scgRNA into the Cytokeratin 14 (Krt14) locus. Krt14 expression marks the stem cells of squamous epithelium in the skin and oral mucosa. The scgRNA targets a Stop cassette preceding a fluorescent reporter in the Ai9-tdtomato mouse. Ai9-tdtomato reporter mice harbouring this allele along with a spCas9 transgene demonstrated precise marking of the Krt14 lineage. We conclude that RNA polymerase II promoter driven scgRNAs enable the use of CRISPR/spCas9 for genetic lineage tracing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amita Tiyaboonchai
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Leslie Wakefield
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Anne Vonada
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Catherine L May
- Institute of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Craig Dorrell
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - David Enicks
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Anusha Sairavi
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Klaus H Kaestner
- Institute of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Markus Grompe
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cristante E, Liyanage SE, Smith AJ, Ali RR, Bainbridge JWB. Role of HIF1α and HIF2α in Cre Recombinase-Induced Retinal Pigment Epithelium Pathology and Its Secondary Effect on Choroidal Neovascularization. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:1694-1705. [PMID: 37330004 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
CreTrp1 mice are widely used for conditional retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) gene function studies. Like other Cre/LoxP models, phenotypes in CreTrp1 mice can be affected by Cre-mediated cellular toxicity, leading to RPE dysfunction, altered morphology and atrophy, activation of innate immunity, and consequent impairment of photoreceptor function. These effects are common among the age-related alterations of RPE that feature in early/intermediate forms of age-related macular degeneration. This article characterizes Cre-mediated pathology in the CreTrp1 line to elucidate the impact of RPE degeneration on both developmental and pathologic choroidal neovascularization. Nonredundant roles of the two major components of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) family of transcription regulators, HIF1α and HIF2α, were identified. Genetic ablation of Hif1a protected against Cre-induced degeneration of RPE and choroid, whereas ablation of Hif2a exacerbated this degeneration. Furthermore, HIF1α deficiency protected CreTrp1 mice against laser-induced choroidal neovascularization, whereas HIF2α deficiency exacerbated the phenotype. Cre-mediated degeneration of the RPE in CreTrp1 mice offers an opportunity to investigate the impact of hypoxia signaling in the context of RPE degeneration. These findings indicate that HIF1α promotes Cre recombinase-mediated RPE degeneration and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization, whereas HIF2α is protective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexander J Smith
- Centre for Cell and Gene Therapy, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin R Ali
- Centre for Cell and Gene Therapy, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - James W B Bainbridge
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology London, United Kingdom; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Subkhangulova A, Gonzalez-Lozano MA, Groffen AJA, van Weering JRT, Smit AB, Toonen RF, Verhage M. Tomosyn affects dense core vesicle composition but not exocytosis in mammalian neurons. eLife 2023; 12:e85561. [PMID: 37695731 PMCID: PMC10495110 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85561] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tomosyn is a large, non-canonical SNARE protein proposed to act as an inhibitor of SNARE complex formation in the exocytosis of secretory vesicles. In the brain, tomosyn inhibits the fusion of synaptic vesicles (SVs), whereas its role in the fusion of neuropeptide-containing dense core vesicles (DCVs) is unknown. Here, we addressed this question using a new mouse model with a conditional deletion of tomosyn (Stxbp5) and its paralogue tomosyn-2 (Stxbp5l). We monitored DCV exocytosis at single vesicle resolution in tomosyn-deficient primary neurons using a validated pHluorin-based assay. Surprisingly, loss of tomosyns did not affect the number of DCV fusion events but resulted in a strong reduction of intracellular levels of DCV cargos, such as neuropeptide Y (NPY) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF levels were largely restored by re-expression of tomosyn but not by inhibition of lysosomal proteolysis. Tomosyn's SNARE domain was dispensable for the rescue. The size of the trans-Golgi network and DCVs was decreased, and the speed of DCV cargo flux through Golgi was increased in tomosyn-deficient neurons, suggesting a role for tomosyns in DCV biogenesis. Additionally, tomosyn-deficient neurons showed impaired mRNA expression of some DCV cargos, which was not restored by re-expression of tomosyn and was also observed in Cre-expressing wild-type neurons not carrying loxP sites, suggesting a direct effect of Cre recombinase on neuronal transcription. Taken together, our findings argue against an inhibitory role of tomosyns in neuronal DCV exocytosis and suggests an evolutionary conserved function of tomosyns in the packaging of secretory cargo at the Golgi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aygul Subkhangulova
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit (VU) AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Miguel A Gonzalez-Lozano
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit (VU) AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Alexander JA Groffen
- Department of Human Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)AmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Jan RT van Weering
- Department of Human Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)AmsterdamNetherlands
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit (VU) AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Ruud F Toonen
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit (VU) AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Matthijs Verhage
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit (VU) AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)AmsterdamNetherlands
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cunningham CJ, Choi RB, Bullock WA, Robling AG. Perspective: The current state of Cre driver mouse lines in skeletal research: Challenges and opportunities. Bone 2023; 170:116719. [PMID: 36868507 PMCID: PMC10087282 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2023.116719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The Cre/Lox system has revolutionized the ability of biomedical researchers to ask very specific questions about the function of individual genes in specific cell types at specific times during development and/or disease progression in a variety of animal models. This is true in the skeletal biology field, and numerous Cre driver lines have been created to foster conditional gene manipulation in specific subpopulations of bone cells. However, as our ability to scrutinize these models increases, an increasing number of issues have been identified with most driver lines. All existing skeletal Cre mouse models exhibit problems in one or more of the following three areas: (1) cell type specificity-avoiding Cre expression in unintended cell types; (2) Cre inducibility-improving the dynamic range for Cre in inducible models (negligible Cre activity before induction and high Cre activity after induction); and (3) Cre toxicity-reducing the unwanted biological effects of Cre (beyond loxP recombination) on cellular processes and tissue health. These issues are hampering progress in understanding the biology of skeletal disease and aging, and consequently, identification of reliable therapeutic opportunities. Skeletal Cre models have not advanced technologically in decades despite the availability of improved tools, including multi-promoter-driven expression of permissive or fragmented recombinases, new dimerization systems, and alternative forms of recombinases and DNA sequence targets. We review the current state of skeletal Cre driver lines, and highlight some of the successes, failures, and opportunities to improve fidelity in the skeleton, based on successes pioneered in other areas of biomedical science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Connor J Cunningham
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Roy B Choi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Alexander G Robling
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gobé C, Ialy-Radio C, Pierre R, Cocquet J. Generation and Characterization of a Transgenic Mouse That Specifically Expresses the Cre Recombinase in Spermatids. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14050983. [PMID: 37239343 DOI: 10.3390/genes14050983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is the step during which post-meiotic cells, called spermatids, undergo numerous morphological changes and differentiate into spermatozoa. Thousands of genes have been described to be expressed at this stage and could contribute to spermatid differentiation. Genetically-engineered mouse models using Cre/LoxP or CrispR/Cas9 are the favored approaches to characterize gene function and better understand the genetic basis of male infertility. In the present study, we produced a new spermatid-specific Cre transgenic mouse line, in which the improved iCre recombinase is expressed under the control of the acrosomal vesicle protein 1 gene promoter (Acrv1-iCre). We show that Cre protein expression is restricted to the testis and only detected in round spermatids of stage V to VIII seminiferous tubules. The Acrv1-iCre line can conditionally knockout a gene during spermiogenesis with a > 95% efficiency. Therefore, it could be useful to unravel the function of genes during the late stage of spermatogenesis, but it can also be used to produce an embryo with a paternally deleted allele without causing early spermatogenesis defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Gobé
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Côme Ialy-Radio
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Rémi Pierre
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
- Homologous Recombination, Embryo Transfer and Cryopreservation Facility, Cochin Institute, University of Paris, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Julie Cocquet
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Rossi M, Salomon A, Chaumontel N, Molet J, Bailly S, Tillet E, Bouvard C. Warning regarding hematological toxicity of tamoxifen activated CreERT2 in young Rosa26CreERT2 mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5976. [PMID: 37045870 PMCID: PMC10097815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32633-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cre-lox system is a versatile and powerful tool used in mouse genetics. It allows spatial and/or temporal control of the deletion of a target gene. The Rosa26-CreERT2 (R26CreERT2) mouse model allows ubiquitous expression of CreERT2. Once activated by tamoxifen, CreERT2 will enter into the nuclei and delete floxed DNA sequences. Here, we show that intraperitoneal injection of tamoxifen in young R26CreERT2 mice leads to morbidity and mortality within 10 days after the first injection, in the absence of a floxed allele. Activation of CreERT2 by tamoxifen led to severe hematological defects, with anemia and a strong disorganization of the bone marrow vascular bed. Cell proliferation was significantly reduced in the bone marrow and the spleen resulting in the depletion of several hematopoietic cells. However, not all cell types or organs were affected to the same extent. We realized that many research groups are not aware of the potential toxicity of Cre recombinases, resulting in misinterpretation of the observed phenotype and in a waste of time and resources. We discuss the necessity to include tamoxifen injected CreERT2 controls lacking a floxed allele in experimental designs and to improve communication about the limitations of Cre-lox mouse models among the scientific community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Rossi
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Aude Salomon
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicolas Chaumontel
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Jenny Molet
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, Clinatec, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Sabine Bailly
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Emmanuelle Tillet
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Claire Bouvard
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gonzalez-Aparicio M, Bunuales M, de Landazuri IO, Prieto J, Hernandez-Alcoceba R. Application of a split-Cre system for high-capacity adenoviral vector amplification. Biotechnol J 2023; 18:e2200227. [PMID: 36478401 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202200227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS High-capacity adenoviral vectors (HC-AdV) show extended DNA payload and stability of gene expression in vivo due to the absence of viral coding sequences. However, production requires methods to trans-complement viral proteins, usually through Helper Viruses (HV). The Cre/loxP system is frequently employed to remove the packaging signal in HV genomes, in order to avoid their encapsidation. However, chronic exposure to the Cre recombinase in packaging cells is detrimental. We have applied the dimerizable Cre system to overcome this limitation. METHODS AND RESULTS Cre was split in two fragments devoid of recombinase function (N-terminal 244 and C-terminal 99 amino-acids). In one version of the system, interaction with both moieties was favored by rapamycin-dependent heterodimerization domains (DiCre). Other version contained only Cre sequences (oCre). We generated packaging cells and HVs expressing the complementary fragments and studied their performance for HC-AdV production. We found that both conformations avoided interference with the growth of packaging cells, and the oCre system was particularly suitable for HC-AdV amplification. CONCLUSIONS The split-Cre system improves the performance of packaging cells and can reduce the time and cost of HC-AdV amplification up to 30% and 15%, respectively. This may contribute to the standardization of HC-AdV production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Gonzalez-Aparicio
- University of Navarra, CIMA, Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Navarra Health Research Institute (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria Bunuales
- University of Navarra, CIMA, Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Navarra Health Research Institute (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iñaki Ortiz de Landazuri
- University of Navarra, CIMA, Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Navarra Health Research Institute (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jesus Prieto
- University of Navarra, CIMA, Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Navarra Health Research Institute (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ruben Hernandez-Alcoceba
- University of Navarra, CIMA, Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Navarra Health Research Institute (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cardiac-Specific Expression of Cre Recombinase Leads to Age-Related Cardiac Dysfunction Associated with Tumor-like Growth of Atrial Cardiomyocyte and Ventricular Fibrosis and Ferroptosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043094. [PMID: 36834504 PMCID: PMC9962429 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgenic expression of Cre recombinase driven by a specific promoter is normally used to conditionally knockout a gene in a tissue- or cell-type-specific manner. In αMHC-Cre transgenic mouse model, expression of Cre recombinase is controlled by the myocardial-specific α-myosin heavy chain (αMHC) promoter, which is commonly used to edit myocardial-specific genes. Toxic effects of Cre expression have been reported, including intro-chromosome rearrangements, micronuclei formation and other forms of DNA damage, and cardiomyopathy was observed in cardiac-specific Cre transgenic mice. However, mechanisms associated with Cardiotoxicity of Cre remain poorly understood. In our study, our data unveiled that αMHC-Cre mice developed arrhythmias and died after six months progressively, and none of them survived more than one year. Histopathological examination showed that αMHC-Cre mice had aberrant proliferation of tumor-like tissue in the atrial chamber extended from and vacuolation of ventricular myocytes. Furthermore, the αMHC-Cre mice developed severe cardiac interstitial and perivascular fibrosis, accompanied by significant increase of expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the cardiac atrium and ventricular. Moreover, cardiac-specific expression of Cre led to disintegration of the intercalated disc, along with altered proteins expression of the disc and calcium-handling abnormality. Comprehensively, we identified that the ferroptosis signaling pathway is involved in heart failure caused by cardiac-specific expression of Cre, on which oxidative stress results in cytoplasmic vacuole accumulation of lipid peroxidation on the myocardial cell membrane. Taken together, these results revealed that cardiac-specific expression of Cre recombinase can lead to atrial mesenchymal tumor-like growth in the mice, which causes cardiac dysfunction, including cardiac fibrosis, reduction of the intercalated disc and cardiomyocytes ferroptosis at the age older than six months in mice. Our study suggests that αMHC-Cre mouse models are effective in young mice, but not in old mice. Researchers need to be particularly careful when using αMHC-Cre mouse model to interpret those phenotypic impacts of gene responses. As the Cre-associated cardiac pathology matched mostly to that of the patients, the model could also be employed for investigating age-related cardiac dysfunction.
Collapse
|
19
|
Alia AO, Jeon S, Popovic J, Salvo MA, Sadleir KR, Vassar R, Cuddy LK. Aberrant glial activation and synaptic defects in CaMKIIα-iCre and nestin-Cre transgenic mouse models. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22099. [PMID: 36543864 PMCID: PMC9772212 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26671-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Current scientific research is driven by the ability to manipulate gene expression by utilizing the Cre/loxP system in transgenic mouse models. However, artifacts in Cre-driver mouse lines that introduce undesired effects and confound results are increasingly being reported. Here, we show aberrant neuroinflammation and synaptic changes in two widely used Cre-driver mouse models. Neuroinflammation in CaMKIIα-iCre mice was characterized by the activation and proliferation of microglia and astrocytes in synaptic layers of the hippocampus. Increased GFAP and Iba1 levels were observed in hippocampal brain regions of 4-, 8- and 22-month-old CaMKIIα-iCre mice compared to WT littermates. Synaptic changes in NMDAR, AMPAR, PSD95 and phosphorylated CaMKIIα became apparent in 8-month-old CaMKIIα-iCre mice but were not observed in 4-month-old CaMKIIα-iCre mice. Synaptophysin and synaptoporin were unchanged in CaMKIIα-iCre compared to WT mice, suggesting that synaptic alterations may occur in excitatory postsynaptic regions in which iCre is predominantly expressed. Finally, hippocampal volume was reduced in 22-month-old CaMKIIα-iCre mice compared to WT mice. We tested the brains of mice of additional common Cre-driver mouse models for neuroinflammation; the nestin-Cre mouse model showed synaptic changes and astrocytosis marked by increased GFAP+ astrocytes in cortical and hippocampal regions, while the original CaMKIIα-Cre T29-1 strain was comparable to WT mice. The mechanisms underlying abnormal neuroinflammation in nestin-Cre and CaMKIIα-iCre are unknown but may be associated with high levels of Cre expression. Our findings are critical to the scientific community and demonstrate that the correct Cre-driver controls must be included in all studies using these mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alia O. Alia
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Sohee Jeon
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Jelena Popovic
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Miranda A. Salvo
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Katherine R. Sadleir
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Robert Vassar
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Leah K. Cuddy
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Basilico B, Ferrucci L, Khan A, Di Angelantonio S, Ragozzino D, Reverte I. What microglia depletion approaches tell us about the role of microglia on synaptic function and behavior. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1022431. [PMID: 36406752 PMCID: PMC9673171 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1022431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are dynamic cells, constantly surveying their surroundings and interacting with neurons and synapses. Indeed, a wealth of knowledge has revealed a critical role of microglia in modulating synaptic transmission and plasticity in the developing brain. In the past decade, novel pharmacological and genetic strategies have allowed the acute removal of microglia, opening the possibility to explore and understand the role of microglia also in the adult brain. In this review, we summarized and discussed the contribution of microglia depletion strategies to the current understanding of the role of microglia on synaptic function, learning and memory, and behavior both in physiological and pathological conditions. We first described the available microglia depletion methods highlighting their main strengths and weaknesses. We then reviewed the impact of microglia depletion on structural and functional synaptic plasticity. Next, we focused our analysis on the effects of microglia depletion on behavior, including general locomotor activity, sensory perception, motor function, sociability, learning and memory both in healthy animals and animal models of disease. Finally, we integrated the findings from the reviewed studies and discussed the emerging roles of microglia on the maintenance of synaptic function, learning, memory strength and forgetfulness, and the implications of microglia depletion in models of brain disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Ferrucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Azka Khan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Ragozzino
- Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur Italia – Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation (IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia), Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Davide Ragozzino,
| | - Ingrid Reverte
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation (IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia), Rome, Italy
- Ingrid Reverte,
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Mousseaux C, Migeon T, Frère P, Verpont MC, Lutete E, Navarro C, Louedec L, Hadchouel J. Heterozygous expression of Cre recombinase in podocytes has no impact on the anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis model in C57BL/6J mice. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15443. [PMID: 36082952 PMCID: PMC9461343 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent article described a thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) along with changes in the expression of key components of the extracellular matrix in 6-month-old NPHS2-Cre transgenic mice, which express the Cre recombinase specifically in podocytes. This transgenic line has been widely used to characterize the implication of candidate genes in glomerular diseases in younger mice. Using a different mouse strain (C57BL/6J) than the previous report (129S6/SvEvTac), we sought to characterize 3- and 6-month-old NPHS2-Cre+/- mice in control and pathological conditions. At baseline, there was no difference in renal function and histology between control and NPHS2-Cre+/- mice. Notably, GBM thickness evaluated by transmission electron microscopy was similar between the two groups. We then induced an immune-mediated severe glomerular insult, the anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis model (anti-GBM-GN) in 3-month-old control and NPHS2-Cre+/- mice. NPHS2-Cre+/- mice exhibited the same alterations in renal function and structure as control mice. In summary, our study strongly suggests that NPHS2-Cre+/- transgenic mice on a C57BL/6J background can be safely used for podocyte-specific gene inactivation in control conditions and in the anti-GBM-GN model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Mousseaux
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche Scientifique 1155, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Faculty of Medicine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Tiffany Migeon
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche Scientifique 1155, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Faculty of Medicine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Perrine Frère
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche Scientifique 1155, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Faculty of Medicine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Marie Christine Verpont
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche Scientifique 1155, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Faculty of Medicine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Elisabeth Lutete
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche Scientifique 1155, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Faculty of Medicine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Claire Navarro
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche Scientifique 1155, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Faculty of Medicine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Liliane Louedec
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche Scientifique 1155, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Faculty of Medicine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Hadchouel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche Scientifique 1155, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Faculty of Medicine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Characterization of social behavior in young and middle-aged ChAT-IRES-Cre mouse. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272141. [PMID: 35925937 PMCID: PMC9352053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The cholinergic system is an important modulator of brain processes. It contributes to the regulation of several cognitive functions and emotional states, hence altering behaviors. Previous works showed that cholinergic (nicotinic) receptors of the prefrontal cortex are needed for adapted social behaviors. However, these data were obtained in mutant mice that also present alterations of several neurotransmitter systems, in addition to the cholinergic system. ChAT-IRES-Cre mice, that express the Cre recombinase specifically in cholinergic neurons, are useful tools to investigate the role of the cholinergic circuits in behavior. However, their own behavioral phenotype has not yet been fully characterized, in particular social behavior. In addition, the consequences of aging on the cholinergic system of ChAT-IRES-Cre mice has never been studied, despite the fact that aging is known to compromise the cholinergic system efficiency. The aim of the current study was thus to characterize the social phenotype of ChAT-IRES-Cre mice both at young (2–3 months) and middle (10–11 months) ages. Our results reveal an alteration of the cholinergic system, evidenced by a decrease of ChAT, CHT and VAChT gene expression in the striatum of the mice, that was accompanied by mild social disturbances and a tendency towards anxiety. Aging decreased social dominance, without being amplified by the cholinergic alterations. Altogether, this study shows that ChAT-IRES-Cre mice are useful models for studying the cholinergic system‘s role in social behavior using appropriate modulating technics (optogenetic or DREADD).
Collapse
|
23
|
Yin Q, Li R, Ow DW. Split-Cre mediated deletion of DNA no longer needed after site-specific integration in rice. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2022; 135:2333-2340. [PMID: 35596798 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-022-04115-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
N-cre and C-cre added in separate lines reassemble functional Cre in F1 progeny to excise unnecessary DNA, including cre DNA, thereby eliminating generations needed to cross in and out cre. Crop improvement via transgenesis can benefit through efficient DNA integration strategies. As new traits are developed, new transgenes can be stacked by in planta site-specific integration near previous transgenes, thereby facilitating their introgression to field cultivars as a single segregation locus. However, as each round of integration often requires use of selectable markers, it is more convenient to reuse the selection scheme. The Cre recombinase can be used to delete away previously used selection genes, and other DNA no longer needed after transformation, but the constitutive production of this DNA scanning protein can also affect plant growth. We had previously described in Arabidopsis a split Cre protein fragment complement scheme to reassemble a functional Cre recombinase. As our goal for developing this system was to deploy its use in major crop plants, here we show that Cre protein fragment complementation works in rice with precise recombination structures confirmed by DNA sequencing. As each N-terminal and C-terminal fragment is also flanked by lox recombination sites, they can also self-excise to avoid the need to segregate away the cre DNA. Options to form F1 hybrids homozygous for one transgene, or hemizygous for two different transgenes at the same chromosome location, are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Yin
- Plant Gene Engineering Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ruyu Li
- Plant Gene Engineering Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China.
| | - David W Ow
- Plant Gene Engineering Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Expression of Cre recombinase in chondrocytes causes abnormal craniofacial and skeletal development. Transgenic Res 2022; 31:399-411. [DOI: 10.1007/s11248-022-00308-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
25
|
Hindul NL, Jhita A, Oprea DG, Hussain TA, Gonchar O, Campillo MAM, O'Regan L, Kanemaki MT, Fry AM, Hirota K, Tanaka K. Construction of a human hTERT RPE-1 cell line with inducible Cre for editing of endogenous genes. Biol Open 2022; 11:274087. [PMID: 35067715 PMCID: PMC8864296 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The human retinal pigment epithelial RPE-1 cell line immortalized with hTERT retains a stable karyotype with a modal chromosome number of 46 and has been widely used to study physiological events in human cell culture systems. To facilitate inducible knock-out or knock-in experiments in this cell line, we have modified the AAVS1 locus to harbour a DNA fragment encoding ERT2-Cre-ERT2 fusion protein under regulation of a Tet-On expression system. In the generated cell line, active Cre recombinase was induced by simple addition of doxycycline and tamoxifen to the culture medium. As proof of concept, we successfully introduced an oncogenic point mutation to the endogenous KRAS gene locus of this cell line. The cell line will serve as a powerful tool to conduct functional analyses of human genes. Summary: A near wild-type human hTERT RPE-1 cell line with inducible Cre recombinase integrated at the AAVS1 was generated for inducible genetic knock-in and knock-out. It facilitates human gene functional studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naushin L. Hindul
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Amarjot Jhita
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Daiana G. Oprea
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| | | | - Oksana Gonchar
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| | | | - Laura O'Regan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Masato T. Kanemaki
- Department of Chromosome Science, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
- Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Andrew M. Fry
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Kouji Hirota
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minamiosawa 1-1, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Kayoko Tanaka
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sahasrabuddhe V, Ghosh HS. Cx3Cr1-Cre induction leads to microglial activation and IFN-1 signaling caused by DNA damage in early postnatal brain. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110252. [PMID: 35045285 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cx3cr1CreER-driven Cre recombinase (Cre) is a widely used genetic tool for enabling gene manipulation in microglia and macrophages. However, an in-depth analysis of the possible detrimental effects of Cre activity in microglia, surprisingly, remains missing. Here, we demonstrate an age-dependent sensitivity of microglia to Cx3cr1-Cre toxicity, wherein Cre induction, specifically in early postnatal microglia, is detrimental to microglial development, proliferation, and function. Tamoxifen (TAM)-induced Cre activity leads to microglial activation, type 1 interferon (IFN-1) signaling, and increased phagocytosis, causing aberrant synaptic pruning during the early postnatal period and anxious behavior at later age. The detrimental effects of Cre induction are caused by DNA-damage-induced toxicity in microglia and are limited to the early postnatal period, showing no detrimental effects in adult microglia. Thus, our study reveals an age-dependent vulnerability of microglia to Cre activity, thereby highlighting age dependency of Cre action, which could be especially applicable in the broader context of environment-responsive cell types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vinaya Sahasrabuddhe
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Hiyaa Singhee Ghosh
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Fazekas CL, Szabó A, Török B, Bánrévi K, Correia P, Chaves T, Daumas S, Zelena D. A New Player in the Hippocampus: A Review on VGLUT3+ Neurons and Their Role in the Regulation of Hippocampal Activity and Behaviour. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:790. [PMID: 35054976 PMCID: PMC8775679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory amino acid in the central nervous system. Neurons using glutamate as a neurotransmitter can be characterised by vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs). Among the three subtypes, VGLUT3 is unique, co-localising with other "classical" neurotransmitters, such as the inhibitory GABA. Glutamate, manipulated by VGLUT3, can modulate the packaging as well as the release of other neurotransmitters and serve as a retrograde signal through its release from the somata and dendrites. Its contribution to sensory processes (including seeing, hearing, and mechanosensation) is well characterised. However, its involvement in learning and memory can only be assumed based on its prominent hippocampal presence. Although VGLUT3-expressing neurons are detectable in the hippocampus, most of the hippocampal VGLUT3 positivity can be found on nerve terminals, presumably coming from the median raphe. This hippocampal glutamatergic network plays a pivotal role in several important processes (e.g., learning and memory, emotions, epilepsy, cardiovascular regulation). Indirect information from anatomical studies and KO mice strains suggests the contribution of local VGLUT3-positive hippocampal neurons as well as afferentations in these events. However, further studies making use of more specific tools (e.g., Cre-mice, opto- and chemogenetics) are needed to confirm these assumptions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Csilla Lea Fazekas
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (C.L.F.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (K.B.); (P.C.); (T.C.)
- Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
- Neuroscience Paris Seine-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS-IBPS) INSERM, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Adrienn Szabó
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (C.L.F.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (K.B.); (P.C.); (T.C.)
- Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bibiána Török
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (C.L.F.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (K.B.); (P.C.); (T.C.)
- Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Bánrévi
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (C.L.F.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (K.B.); (P.C.); (T.C.)
| | - Pedro Correia
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (C.L.F.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (K.B.); (P.C.); (T.C.)
- Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tiago Chaves
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (C.L.F.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (K.B.); (P.C.); (T.C.)
- Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Stéphanie Daumas
- Neuroscience Paris Seine-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS-IBPS) INSERM, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Dóra Zelena
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (C.L.F.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (K.B.); (P.C.); (T.C.)
- Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Meadows JD, Breuer JA, Lavalle SN, Hirschenberger MR, Patel MM, Nguyen D, Kim A, Cassin J, Gorman MR, Welsh DK, Mellon PL, Hoffmann HM. Deletion of Six3 in post-proliferative neurons produces weakened SCN circadian output, improved metabolic function, and dwarfism in male mice. Mol Metab 2021; 57:101431. [PMID: 34974160 PMCID: PMC8810556 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The increasing prevalence of obesity makes it important to increase the understanding of the maturation and function of the neuronal integrators and regulators of metabolic function. METHODS Behavioral, molecular, and physiological analyses of transgenic mice with Sine oculis 3 (Six3) deleted in mature neurons using the Synapsincreallele. RESULTS Conditional deletion of the homeodomain transcription factor Six3 in mature neurons causes dwarfism and weakens circadian wheel-running activity rhythms but increases general activity at night, and improves metabolic function, without impacting pubertal onset or fertility in males. The reduced growth in 6-week-old Six3fl/fl:Synapsincre (Six3syn) males correlates with increased somatostatin (SS) expression in the hypothalamus and reduced growth hormone (GH) in the pituitary. In contrast, 12-week-old Six3syn males have increased GH release, despite an increased number of the inhibitory SS neurons in the periventricular nucleus. GH is important in glucose metabolism, muscle function, and bone health. Interestingly, Six3syn males have improved glucose tolerance at 7, 12, and 18 weeks of age, which, in adulthood, is associated with increased % lean mass and increased metabolic rates. Further, 12-week-old Six3syn males have reduced bone mineralization and a lower bone mineral density, indicating that reduced GH levels during early life cause a long-term reduction in bone mineralization. CONCLUSION Our study points to the novel role of Six3 in post-proliferative neurons to regulate metabolic function through SS neuron control of GH release.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason D. Meadows
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA,Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Joseph A. Breuer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA,Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Shanna N. Lavalle
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA,Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michael R. Hirschenberger
- Department of Animal Science and the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, 766 Service Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Meera M. Patel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Duong Nguyen
- Department of Animal Science and the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, 766 Service Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Alyssa Kim
- Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, and CANR Statistical Consulting Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Jessica Cassin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michael R. Gorman
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA,Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - David K. Welsh
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | - Pamela L. Mellon
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA,Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hanne M. Hoffmann
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA,Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA,Department of Animal Science and the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, 766 Service Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA,Corresponding author. Michigan State University Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building #3010 766 Service Road, East Lansing, MI 48224, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Liu B, Wu P, Zhou J, Yin A, Yu Y, Lu H. Characterization and optimization of the LAC4 upstream region for low-leakage expression in Kluyveromyces marxianus. Yeast 2021; 39:283-296. [PMID: 34791694 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Kluyveromyces marxianus is a promising host for the production of heterologous proteins, chemicals, and bioethanol. One superior feature of this species is its capacity to assimilate lactose, which is rendered by the LAC12-LAC4 gene pair encoding a lactose permease and a β-galactosidase enzyme. Little is known about the regulation of LAC4 in K. marxianus. In this study, we showed the presence of weak glucose repression in the regulation of LAC4 and that might contribute to the leaky expression of LAC4 in the glucose medium. In a mutagenesis screen of 1000-bp LAC4 upstream region, one mutant region, named H1, drove low-leakage expression of a URA3 reporter gene in glucose medium. Two mutations inside a polyadenosine stretch (poly(A)) of 5' UTR were major contributors to the low-leakage phenotype of H1. H1 directed low-leakage expression of GFP on a plasmid and that of LAC4 in situ in the glucose medium, which was not due to the reduction of mRNA levels. Meanwhile, H1 did not affect the induction of GFP or LAC4 by lactose. Cre recombinase expressed by H1 caused lower toxicity in the repressive condition and achieved higher yield after induction, compared with that expressed by a wild-type LAC4 upstream region or a strong INU1 promoter. Our study suggested that poly(A) inside 5' UTR played a role in regulating the expression of LAC4 in the repressive condition. Meanwhile, H1 provided a base for the development of a strict inducible system for expressing industrial proteins, especially toxic proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Pingping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Jungang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Anqi Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China.,National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China.,National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing (SCICB), East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Bond ST, Zhuang A, Yang C, Gould EAM, Sikora T, Liu Y, Fu Y, Watt KI, Tan Y, Kiriazis H, Lancaster GI, Gregorevic P, Henstridge DC, McMullen JR, Meikle PJ, Calkin AC, Drew BG. Tissue-specific expression of Cas9 has no impact on whole-body metabolism in four transgenic mouse lines. Mol Metab 2021; 53:101292. [PMID: 34246805 PMCID: PMC8361256 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101292] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective CRISPR/Cas9 technology has revolutionized gene editing and fast tracked our capacity to manipulate genes of interest for the benefit of both research and therapeutic applications. Whilst many advances have, and continue to be made in this area, perhaps the most utilized technology to date has been the generation of knockout cells, tissues and animals. The advantages of this technology are many fold, however some questions still remain regarding the effects that long term expression of foreign proteins such as Cas9, have on mammalian cell function. Several studies have proposed that chronic overexpression of Cas9, with or without its accompanying guide RNAs, may have deleterious effects on cell function and health. This is of particular concern when applying this technology in vivo, where chronic expression of Cas9 in tissues of interest may promote disease-like phenotypes and thus confound the investigation of the effects of the gene of interest. Although these concerns remain valid, no study to our knowledge has yet to demonstrate this directly. Methods In this study we used the lox-stop-lox (LSL) spCas9 ROSA26 transgenic (Tg) mouse line to generate four tissue-specific Cas9-Tg models that express Cas9 in the heart, liver, skeletal muscle or adipose tissue. We performed comprehensive phenotyping of these mice up to 20-weeks of age and subsequently performed molecular analysis of their organs. Results We demonstrate that Cas9 expression in these tissues had no detrimental effect on whole body health of the animals, nor did it induce any tissue-specific effects on whole body energy metabolism, liver health, inflammation, fibrosis, heart function or muscle mass. Conclusions Our data suggests that these models are suitable for studying the tissue specific effects of gene deletion using the LSL-Cas9-Tg model, and that phenotypes observed utilizing these models can be confidently interpreted as being gene specific, and not confounded by the chronic overexpression of Cas9. Detailed characterization of 4 tissue specific Cas9 TG mice in relevant metabolic tissues. Demonstration that these models express robust Cas9 in a tissue specific manner. Detailed phenotyping demonstrates that chronic Cas9 expression has no impact on tissue weight, body composition or body weight. Metabolic phenotyping demonstrates that Cas9 expression does not impact whole body glucose tolerance, or heart function. Tissue specific characterization confirms that there is no discernible effect on tissue health or function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon T Bond
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | - Aowen Zhuang
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | - Christine Yang
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | | | - Tim Sikora
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | - Yingying Liu
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | - Ying Fu
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | - Kevin I Watt
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yanie Tan
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | - Helen Kiriazis
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | | | - Paul Gregorevic
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; Department of Neurology, The University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Darren C Henstridge
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia; College of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | - Julie R McMullen
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Australia; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Peter J Meikle
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | - Anna C Calkin
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Australia.
| | - Brian G Drew
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, 3004, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wang X, Lauth A, Wan TC, Lough JW, Auchampach JA. Myh6-driven Cre recombinase activates the DNA damage response and the cell cycle in the myocardium in the absence of loxP sites. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm046375. [PMID: 33106234 PMCID: PMC7758623 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Regeneration of muscle in the damaged myocardium is a major objective of cardiovascular research, for which purpose many investigators utilize mice containing transgenes encoding Cre recombinase to recombine loxP-flanked target genes. An unfortunate side effect of the Cre-loxP model is the propensity of Cre recombinase to inflict off-target DNA damage, which has been documented in various eukaryotic cell types including cardiomyocytes (CMs). In the heart, reported effects of Cre recombinase include contractile dysfunction, fibrosis, cellular infiltration and induction of the DNA damage response (DDR). During experiments on adult mice containing a widely used Myh6-merCremer transgene, the protein product of which is activated by tamoxifen, we observed large, transient, off-target effects of merCremer, some of which have not previously been reported. On Day 3 after the first of three daily tamoxifen injections, immunofluorescent microscopy of heart sections revealed that the presence of merCremer protein in myonuclei was nearly uniform, thereafter diminishing to near extinction by Day 6; during this time, cardiac function was depressed as determined by echocardiography. On Day 5, peaks of apoptosis and expression of DDR-regulatory genes were observed, highlighted by >25-fold increased expression of Brca1 Concomitantly, the expression of genes encoding cyclin-A2, cyclin-B2 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1, which regulate the G2/S cell-cycle transition, were dramatically increased (>50- to 100-fold). Importantly, immunofluorescent staining revealed that this was accompanied by peaks in Ki67, 5'-bromodeoxyuridine and phosphohistone H3 labeling in non-CMs, as well as CMs. We further document that tamoxifen-induced activation of merCremer exacerbates cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction. These findings, when considered in the context of previous reports, indicate that the presence of merCremer in the nucleus induces DNA damage and unscheduled cell-cycle activation. Although these effects are transient, the inclusion of appropriate controls, coupled with an awareness of the defects caused by Cre recombinase, are required to avoid misinterpreting results when using Cre-loxP models for cardiac regeneration studies.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Amelia Lauth
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Tina C Wan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - John W Lough
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - John A Auchampach
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Altered baseline and amphetamine-mediated behavioral profiles in dopamine transporter Cre (DAT-Ires-Cre) mice compared to tyrosine hydroxylase Cre (TH-Cre) mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:3553-3568. [PMID: 32778904 PMCID: PMC10120402 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05635-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Transgenic mouse lines expressing Cre-recombinase under the regulation of either dopamine transporter (DAT) or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoters are commonly used to study the dopamine (DA) system. While use of the TH promoter appears to have less liability to changes in native gene expression, transgene insertion in the DAT locus results in reduced DAT expression and function. This confound is sometimes overlooked in genetically targeted behavioral experiments. OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the suitability of DAT-Ires-Cre and TH-Cre transgenic lines for behavioral pharmacology experiments with DA agonists. We hypothesized that DAT-Ires-Cre expression would impact DAT-mediated behaviors, but no impact of TH-Cre expression would be observed. METHODS DAT-Ires-Cre and TH-Cre mice bred on mixed 129S6/C57BL/6 and pure C57BL/6 backgrounds were evaluated for novelty-induced, baseline, and amphetamine (AMPH)-induced locomotion, and for AMPH and D1 agonist (SKF-38393)-induced preservative behaviors. RESULTS DAT-Ires-Cre mice on both mixed 129S6/C57BL/6 and pure C57BL/6 backgrounds displayed increased novelty-induced activity and decreased AMPH-induced locomotion, with mixed results for AMPH-induced stereotypy. TH-Cre mice on both backgrounds showed typical baseline activity and AMPH-induced stereotypy, with a difference in AMPH-induced locomotion observed only on the mixed background. Both transgenic lines displayed unaltered SKF-38393-induced grooming behavior. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the DAT-Ires-Cre transgenic line may lead to confounds for experiments that are dependent on DAT expression. The TH-Cre transgenic line studied here may be a more useful option, depending on background strain, because of its lack of baseline and drug-induced phenotypes. These data highlight the importance of appropriate controls in studies employing transgenic mice.
Collapse
|
33
|
Sahai N, Bard AM, Devinsky O, Kalume F. Disordered autonomic function during exposure to moderate heat or exercise in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 147:105154. [PMID: 33144172 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine autonomic regulation of core body temperature, heart rate (HR), and breathing rate (BR) in response to moderately elevated ambient temperature or moderate physical exercise in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome (DS). METHODS We studied video-EEG, ECG, respiration, and temperature in mice with global heterozygous Scn1a knockout (KO) (DS mice), interneuron specific Scn1a KO, and wildtype (WT) mice during exposure to increased environmental temperature and moderate treadmill exercise. RESULTS Core body temperatures of WT and DS mice were similar during baseline. After 15 mins of heat exposure, the peak value was lower in DS than WT mice. In the following mins of heat exposure, the temperature slowly returned close to baseline level in WT, whereas it remained elevated in DS mice. KO of Scn1a in GABAergic neurons caused similar thermoregulatory deficits in mice. During exercise, the HR increase was less prominent in DS than WT mice. After exercise, the HR was significantly more suppressed in DS. The heart rate variability (HRV) was lower in DS than WT mice during baseline and higher in DS during exercise-recovery periods. SIGNIFICANCE We found novel abnormalities that expand the spectrum of interictal, ictal, and postictal autonomic dysregulation in DS mice. During mild heat stress, there was a significantly blunted correction of body temperature, and a less suppression of both HR and respiration rate in DS than WT mice. These effects were seen in mice with selective KO of Scn1A in GABAergic neurons. During exercise stress, there was diminished increase in HR, followed by an exaggerated HR suppression and HRV elevation during recovery in DS mice compared to controls. These findings suggest that different environmental stressors can uncover distinct autonomic disturbances in DS mice. Interneurons play an important role in thermoregulation. Understanding the spectrum and mechanisms of autonomic disorders in DS may help develop more effective strategies to prevent seizures and SUDEP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Sahai
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Angela M Bard
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Franck Kalume
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Pacheco-Lugo LA, Sáenz-García JL, Díaz-Olmos Y, Netto-Costa R, Brant RSC, DaRocha WD. CREditing: a tool for gene tuning in Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:1067-1077. [PMID: 32858036 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The genetic manipulation of Trypanosoma cruzi continues to be a challenge, mainly due to the lack of available and efficient molecular tools. The CRE-lox recombination system is a site-specific recombinase technology, widely used method of achieving conditional targeted deletions, inversions, insertions, gene activation, translocation, and other modifications in chromosomal or episomal DNA. In the present study, the CRE-lox system was adapted to expand the current genetic toolbox for this hard-to-manipulate parasite. For this, evaluations of whether direct protein delivery of CRE recombinase through electroporation could improve CRE-mediated recombination in T. cruzi were performed. CRE recombinase was fused to the C-terminus of T. cruzi histone H2B, which carries the nuclear localization signal and is expressed in the prokaryotic system. The fusion protein was affinity purified and directly introduced into epimastigotes and tissue culture-derived trypomastigotes. This enabled the control of gene expression as demonstrated by turning on a tandem dimer fluorescent protein reporter gene that had been previously transfected into parasites, achieving CRE-mediated recombination in up to 85% of parasites. This system was further tested for its ability to turn off gene expression, remove selectable markers integrated into the genome, and conditionally knock down the nitroreductase gene, which is involved in drug resistance. Additionally, CREditing also enabled the control of gene expression in tissue culture trypomastigotes, which are more difficult to transfect than epimastigotes. The considerable advances in genomic manipulation of T. cruzi shown in this study can be used by others to aid in the greater understanding of this parasite through gain- or loss-of-function approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisandro A Pacheco-Lugo
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos (GFP), Universidade Federal de Paraná, Paraná, Brazil; Facultad de Ciencias Básicas Biomédicas, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - José L Sáenz-García
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos (GFP), Universidade Federal de Paraná, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Yirys Díaz-Olmos
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz-Paraná, Paraná, Brazil; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | | | - Rodrigo S C Brant
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos (GFP), Universidade Federal de Paraná, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Wanderson D DaRocha
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos (GFP), Universidade Federal de Paraná, Paraná, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Luo L, Ambrozkiewicz MC, Benseler F, Chen C, Dumontier E, Falkner S, Furlanis E, Gomez AM, Hoshina N, Huang WH, Hutchison MA, Itoh-Maruoka Y, Lavery LA, Li W, Maruo T, Motohashi J, Pai ELL, Pelkey KA, Pereira A, Philips T, Sinclair JL, Stogsdill JA, Traunmüller L, Wang J, Wortel J, You W, Abumaria N, Beier KT, Brose N, Burgess HA, Cepko CL, Cloutier JF, Eroglu C, Goebbels S, Kaeser PS, Kay JN, Lu W, Luo L, Mandai K, McBain CJ, Nave KA, Prado MA, Prado VF, Rothstein J, Rubenstein JL, Saher G, Sakimura K, Sanes JR, Scheiffele P, Takai Y, Umemori H, Verhage M, Yuzaki M, Zoghbi HY, Kawabe H, Craig AM. Optimizing Nervous System-Specific Gene Targeting with Cre Driver Lines: Prevalence of Germline Recombination and Influencing Factors. Neuron 2020; 106:37-65.e5. [PMID: 32027825 PMCID: PMC7377387 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Cre-loxP system is invaluable for spatial and temporal control of gene knockout, knockin, and reporter expression in the mouse nervous system. However, we report varying probabilities of unexpected germline recombination in distinct Cre driver lines designed for nervous system-specific recombination. Selective maternal or paternal germline recombination is showcased with sample Cre lines. Collated data reveal germline recombination in over half of 64 commonly used Cre driver lines, in most cases with a parental sex bias related to Cre expression in sperm or oocytes. Slight differences among Cre driver lines utilizing common transcriptional control elements affect germline recombination rates. Specific target loci demonstrated differential recombination; thus, reporters are not reliable proxies for another locus of interest. Similar principles apply to other recombinase systems and other genetically targeted organisms. We hereby draw attention to the prevalence of germline recombination and provide guidelines to inform future research for the neuroscience and broader molecular genetics communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Luo
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Mateusz C. Ambrozkiewicz
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany,Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fritz Benseler
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Emilie Dumontier
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Naosuke Hoshina
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Mary Anne Hutchison
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yu Itoh-Maruoka
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Laura A. Lavery
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77003, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tomohiko Maruo
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan,Department of Biochemistry, Tokushima University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 3-18-15, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan,Department of Biochemistry, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan
| | - Junko Motohashi
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Emily Ling-Lin Pai
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kenneth A. Pelkey
- Section on Cellular and Synaptic Physiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ariane Pereira
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Thomas Philips
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Sinclair
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jeff A. Stogsdill
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Jiexin Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joke Wortel
- Department of Functional Genomics and Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam and University Medical Center Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wenjia You
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Departments of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nashat Abumaria
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China,Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Kevin T. Beier
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Harold A. Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Constance L. Cepko
- Departments of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jean-François Cloutier
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Department of Neurobiology, and Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Regeneration Next Initiative, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sandra Goebbels
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Pascal S. Kaeser
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeremy N. Kay
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Wei Lu
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Liqun Luo
- Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kenji Mandai
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan,Department of Biochemistry, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan
| | - Chris J. McBain
- Section on Cellular and Synaptic Physiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marco A.M. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Vania F. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Rothstein
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - John L.R. Rubenstein
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Gesine Saher
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Joshua R. Sanes
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | | | - Yoshimi Takai
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hisashi Umemori
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Matthijs Verhage
- Department of Functional Genomics and Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam and University Medical Center Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michisuke Yuzaki
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Huda Yahya Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77003, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hiroshi Kawabe
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan; Department of Gerontology, Laboratory of Molecular Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, 2-2 Minatojima-minamimachi Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Ann Marie Craig
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Navabpour S, Kwapis JL, Jarome TJ. A neuroscientist's guide to transgenic mice and other genetic tools. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 108:732-748. [PMID: 31843544 PMCID: PMC8049509 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has produced an explosion in the number and variety of genetic tools available to neuroscientists, resulting in an unprecedented ability to precisely manipulate the genome and epigenome in behaving animals. However, no single resource exists that describes all of the tools available to neuroscientists. Here, we review the genetic, transgenic, and viral techniques that are currently available to probe the complex relationship between genes and cognition. Topics covered include types of traditional transgenic mouse models (knockout, knock-in, reporter lines), inducible systems (Cre-loxP, Tet-On, Tet-Off) and cell- and circuit-specific systems (TetTag, TRAP, DIO-DREADD). Additionally, we provide details on virus-mediated and siRNA/shRNA approaches, as well as a comprehensive discussion of the myriad manipulations that can be made using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, including single base pair editing and spatially- and temporally-regulated gene-specific transcriptional control. Collectively, this review will serve as a guide to assist neuroscientists in identifying and choosing the appropriate genetic tools available to study the complex relationship between the brain and behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaghayegh Navabpour
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Janine L Kwapis
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, College Park, PA, USA; Center for the Molecular Investigation of Neurological Disorders (CMIND), Pennsylvania State University, College Park, PA, USA.
| | - Timothy J Jarome
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Roanoke, VA, USA; Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA; School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Wu D, Huang Q, Orban PC, Levings MK. Ectopic germline recombination activity of the widely used Foxp3-YFP-Cre mouse: a case report. Immunology 2019; 159:231-241. [PMID: 31713233 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cell-specific deletion of a gene of interest is a procedure widely used to study mechanisms controlling Treg development, homeostasis and function. Accordingly, several transgenic mouse lines have been generated that bear the Cre recombinase under control of the Foxp3 promoter either as a random transgene insertion or knocked into the endogenous Foxp3 locus, with the Foxp3YFP-Cre strain of mice being one of the most widely used. In an attempt to generate Treg cells that lacked expression of the insulin receptor (Insr), we crossed Foxp3YFP-Cre mice with Insrfl/fl mice. Using a conventional two-band PCR genotyping method we found that offspring genotypes did not correspond to the expected Mendelian ratios. We therefore developed a quantitative PCR-based genotyping method to investigate possible ectopic recombination outside the Treg lineage. With this method we found that ~50% of the F1 -generation mice showed evidence of ectopic recombination and that ~10% of the F2 -generation mice had germline Cre recombination activity leading to a high frequency of offspring with global Insr deletion. Use of the quantitative PCR genotyping method enabled accurate selection of mice without ectopic recombination and only the desired Treg cell-specific Insr deletion. Our data highlight the need to use genotyping methods that allow for assessment of possible ectopic recombination driven by the Foxp3YFP-Cre allele, particularly when studying genes that are systemically expressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Qing Huang
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paul C Orban
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Megan K Levings
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Frahsek M, Schulte K, Chia-Gil A, Djudjaj S, Schueler H, Leuchtle K, Smeets B, Dijkman H, Floege J, Moeller MJ. Cre recombinase toxicity in podocytes: a novel genetic model for FSGS in adolescent mice. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 317:F1375-F1382. [PMID: 31588799 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00573.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we show that inducible overexpression of Cre recombinase in glomerular podocytes but not in parietal epithelial cells may trigger focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in juvenile transgenic homocygous Pod-rtTA/LC1 mice. Administration of doxycycline shortly after birth, but not at any other time point later in life, resulted in podocyte injury and development of classical FSGS lesions in these mice. Sclerotic lesions were formed as soon as 3 wk of age, and FSGS progressed with low variability until 13 wk of age. In addition, our experiments identified Cre toxicity as a potentially relevant limitation for studies in podocytes of transgenic animals. In summary, our study establishes a novel genetic model for FSGS in mice, which exhibits low variability and manifests already at a young age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Frahsek
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kevin Schulte
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Arnaldo Chia-Gil
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sonja Djudjaj
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Herdit Schueler
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Katja Leuchtle
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bart Smeets
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Henry Dijkman
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marcus J Moeller
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Heisenberg Chair for Preventive and Translational Nephrology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Fernández-Chacón M, Casquero-García V, Luo W, Francesca Lunella F, Ferreira Rocha S, Del Olmo-Cabrera S, Benedito R. iSuRe-Cre is a genetic tool to reliably induce and report Cre-dependent genetic modifications. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2262. [PMID: 31118412 PMCID: PMC6531465 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10239-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Most biomedical research aimed at understanding gene function uses the Cre-Lox system, which consists of the Cre recombinase-dependent deletion of genes containing LoxP sites. This system enables conditional genetic modifications because the expression and activity of the recombinase Cre/CreERT2 can be regulated in space by tissue-specific promoters and in time by the ligand tamoxifen. Since the precise Cre-Lox recombination event is invisible, methods were developed to report Cre activity and are widely used. However, numerous studies have shown that expression of a given Cre activity reporter cannot be assumed to indicate deletion of other LoxP-flanked genes of interest. Here, we report the generation of an inducible dual reporter-Cre mouse allele, iSuRe-Cre. By significantly increasing Cre activity in reporter-expressing cells, iSuRe-Cre provides certainty that these cells have completely recombined floxed alleles. This genetic tool increases the ease, efficiency, and reliability of conditional mutagenesis and gene function analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Fernández-Chacón
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Verónica Casquero-García
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Wen Luo
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Federica Francesca Lunella
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Susana Ferreira Rocha
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Sergio Del Olmo-Cabrera
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Rui Benedito
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Rezai Amin S, Gruszczynski C, Guiard BP, Callebert J, Launay JM, Louis F, Betancur C, Vialou V, Gautron S. Viral vector-mediated Cre recombinase expression in substantia nigra induces lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway associated with perturbations of dopamine-related behaviors and hallmarks of programmed cell death. J Neurochem 2019; 150:330-340. [PMID: 30748001 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cre/loxP recombination is a widely used approach to study gene function in vivo, using mice models expressing the Cre recombinase under the control of specific promoters or through viral delivery of Cre-expressing constructs. A profuse literature on transgenic mouse lines points out the deleterious effects of Cre expression in various cell types and tissues, presumably by acting on illegitimate loxP-like sites present in the genome. However, most studies reporting the consequences of Cre-lox gene invalidation often omit adequate controls to exclude the potential toxic effects of Cre, compromising the interpretation of data. In this study, we report the anatomical, neurochemical, and behavioral consequences in mice of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated Cre expression in the dopaminergic nuclei substantia nigra, at commonly used viral titers (3 × 109 genome copies/0.3 μL or 2 × 109 genome copies/0.6 μL). We found that injecting AAV-eGFP-Cre into the SN engendered drastic and reproducible modifications of behavior, with increased basal locomotor activity as well as impaired locomotor response to cocaine compared to AAV-eGFP-injected controls. Cre expression in the SN induced a massive decrease in neuronal populations of both pars compacta and pars reticulata and dopamine depletion in the nigrostriatal pathway. This anatomical injury was associated with typical features of programmed cell death, including an increase in DNA break markers, evidence of apoptosis, and disrupted macroautophagy. These observations underscore the need for careful control of Cre toxicity in the brain and the reassessment of previous studies. In addition, our findings suggest that Cre-mediated ablation may constitute an efficient tool to explore the function of specific cell populations and areas in the brain, and the impact of neurodegeneration in these populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rezai Amin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Carole Gruszczynski
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Bruno P Guiard
- Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Toulouse, France
| | - Jacques Callebert
- INSERM U942, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Marie Launay
- INSERM U942, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Franck Louis
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Catalina Betancur
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Vialou
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Gautron
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Rehmani T, Salih M, Tuana BS. Cardiac-Specific Cre Induces Age-Dependent Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Mice. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24061189. [PMID: 30917606 PMCID: PMC6471127 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24061189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic modification of the mouse genome using the cre-lox system has been an invaluable tool in deciphering gene and protein function in a temporal and/or spatial manner. However, it has its pitfalls, as researchers have shown that the unregulated expression of cre recombinase can cause DNA damage, the consequences of which can be very detrimental to mouse health. Previously published literature on the most utilized cardiac-specific cre, αMHC-cre, mouse model exhibited a nonlethal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with aging. However, using the same αMHC-cre mice, we observed a cardiac pathology, resulting in complete lethality by 11 months of age. Echocardiography and histology revealed that the αMHC-cre mice were displaying symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by seven months of age, which ultimately led to their demise in the absence of any HCM at any age. Molecular analysis showed that this phenotype was associated with the DNA damage response through the downregulation of activated p38 and increased expression of JNK, p53, and Bax, known inducers of myocyte death resulting in fibrosis. Our data urges strong caution when interpreting the phenotypic impact of gene responses using αMHC-cre mice, since a lethal DCM was induced by the cre driver in an age-dependent manner in this commonly utilized model system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taha Rehmani
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Maysoon Salih
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Balwant S Tuana
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Balkawade RS, Chen C, Crowley MR, Crossman DK, Clapp WL, Verlander JW, Marshall CB. Podocyte-specific expression of Cre recombinase promotes glomerular basement membrane thickening. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 316:F1026-F1040. [PMID: 30810063 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00359.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Conditional gene targeting using Cre recombinase has offered a powerful tool to modify gene function precisely in defined cells/tissues and at specific times. However, in mammalian cells, Cre recombinase can be genotoxic. The importance of including Cre-expressing control mice to avoid misinterpretation and to maximize the validity of the experimental results has been increasingly recognized. While studying the role of podocytes in the pathogenesis of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening, we used Cre recombinase driven by the podocyte-specific podocin promoter (NPHS2-Cre) to generate a conditional knockout. By conventional structural and functional measures (histology by periodic acid-Schiff staining, albuminuria, and plasma creatinine), we did not detect significant differences between NPHS2-Cre transgenic and wild-type control mice. However, surprisingly, the group that expressed Cre transgene alone developed signs of podocyte toxicity, including marked GBM thickening, loss of normal foot process morphology, and reduced Wilms tumor 1 expression. GBM thickening was characterized by altered expression of core structural protein laminin isoform α5β2γ1. RNA sequencing analysis of extracted glomeruli identified 230 genes that were significant and differentially expressed (applying a q < 0.05-fold change ≥ ±2 cutoff) in NPHS2-Cre mice compared with wild-type control mice. Many biological processes were reflected in the RNA sequencing data, including regulation of the extracellular matrix and pathways related to apoptosis and cell death. This study highlights the importance of including the appropriate controls for potential Cre-mediated toxicity in conditional gene-targeting experiments. Indeed, omitting the Cre transgene control can result in critical errors during interpretation of experimental data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan S Balkawade
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Birmingham, Alabama.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Chao Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, College of Medicine Electron Microscopy Core, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael R Crowley
- Heflin Center for Genomic Science, Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama
| | - David K Crossman
- Heflin Center for Genomic Science, Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama
| | - William L Clapp
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, College of Medicine Electron Microscopy Core, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Caroline B Marshall
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Birmingham, Alabama.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Lam PT, Padula SL, Hoang TV, Poth JE, Liu L, Liang C, LeFever AS, Wallace LM, Ashery-Padan R, Riggs PK, Shields JE, Shaham O, Rowan S, Brown NL, Glaser T, Robinson ML. Considerations for the use of Cre recombinase for conditional gene deletion in the mouse lens. Hum Genomics 2019; 13:10. [PMID: 30770771 PMCID: PMC6377743 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-019-0192-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite a number of different transgenes that can mediate DNA deletion in the developing lens, each has unique features that can make a given transgenic line more or less appropriate for particular studies. The purpose of this work encompasses both a review of transgenes that lead to the expression of Cre recombinase in the lens and a comparative analysis of currently available transgenic lines with a particular emphasis on the Le-Cre and P0-3.9GFPCre lines that can mediate DNA deletion in the lens placode. Although both of these transgenes are driven by elements of the Pax6 P0 promoter, the Le-Cre transgene consistently leads to ocular abnormalities in homozygous state and can lead to ocular defects on some genetic backgrounds when hemizygous. Result Although both P0-3.9GFPCre and Le-Cre hemizygous transgenic mice undergo normal eye development on an FVB/N genetic background, Le-Cre homozygotes uniquely exhibit microphthalmia. Examination of the expression patterns of these two transgenes revealed similar expression in the developing eye and pancreas. However, lineage tracing revealed widespread non-ocular CRE reporter gene expression in the P0-3.9GFPCre transgenic mice that results from stochastic CRE expression in the P0-3.9GFPCre embryos prior to lens placode formation. Postnatal hemizygous Le-Cre transgenic lenses express higher levels of CRE transcript and protein than the hemizygous lenses of P0-3.9GFPCre mice. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Le-Cre hemizygous lenses deregulated the expression of 15 murine genes, several of which are associated with apoptosis. In contrast, P0-3.9GFPCre hemizygous lenses only deregulated two murine genes. No known PAX6-responsive genes or genes directly associated with lens differentiation were deregulated in the hemizygous Le-Cre lenses. Conclusions Although P0-3.9GFPCre transgenic mice appear free from ocular abnormalities, extensive non-ocular CRE expression represents a potential problem for conditional gene deletion studies using this transgene. The higher level of CRE expression in Le-Cre lenses versus P0-3.9GFPCre lenses may explain abnormal lens development in homozygous Le-Cre mice. Given the lack of deregulation of PAX6-responsive transcripts, we suggest that abnormal eye development in Le-Cre transgenic mice stems from CRE toxicity. Our studies reinforce the requirement for appropriate CRE-only expressing controls when using CRE as a driver of conditional gene targeting strategies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40246-019-0192-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phuong T Lam
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | | | - Thanh V Hoang
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA.,Present Address: Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Justin E Poth
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Chun Liang
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Adam S LeFever
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 234 Goodman Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45219, USA
| | - Lindsay M Wallace
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Ruth Ashery-Padan
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neurosciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Penny K Riggs
- Department of Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2471, USA
| | - Jordan E Shields
- Department of Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2471, USA.,Present Address: Emory Children's Center, Room 410, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ohad Shaham
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neurosciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sheldon Rowan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Nadean L Brown
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Tom Glaser
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Hoffmann HM, Larder R, Lee JS, Hu RJ, Trang C, Devries BM, Clark DD, Mellon PL. Differential CRE Expression in Lhrh-cre and GnRH-cre Alleles and the Impact on Fertility in Otx2-Flox Mice. Neuroendocrinology 2019; 108:328-342. [PMID: 30739114 PMCID: PMC6753941 DOI: 10.1159/000497791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is an increasing trend in studies utilizing cell-specific deletion of genes through conditional gene deletion by CRE recombination. Despite numerous advantages, this strategy also has limitations such as ectopic CRE-expression and germline recombination. Two commonly used gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gnrh)-driven CRE-expressing mice both target GnRH neurons. However, a direct comparison of the cells targeted and their phenotypic outcome have not yet been presented. To compare where recombination takes place, we crossed the Gnrh-cre and Lhrh-cre lines with the Rosa26-LacZ reporter mouse. Lhrh-cre allowed recombination of the Rosa26-LacZ gene in ∼700 cells, which is comparable to the GnRH neuronal population. Surprisingly, there were > 20 times more LacZ expressing cells in the adult Gnrh-cre:Rosa26-LacZ than the Lhrh-cre:Rosa26-LacZ brain. The greatest differences in targeting of the Gnrh-cre and Lhrh-cre lines were found in the septum, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and the septohypothalamic area. This difference in cells targeted was present from embryonic day 12. A prior study using the Gnrh-cre to delete the transcription factor Otx2 found fewer GnRH neurons, leading to male and female subfertility. To recapitulate this study, we performed a fertility assay in Otx2:Lhrh-cre mice. We confirmed the requirement for Otx2 in GnRH neuron development, fertility and correct gonadotropin hormone release in Otx2:Lhrh-cre males, but the subfertility was more modest than in Otx2:Gnrh-cre and absent in female Otx2:Lhrh-cre. This suggests that ectopic expression of Gnrh-cre contributes to the reproductive phenotype observed. Finally, the Cre alleles caused germline recombination of the flox allele when transmitted from either parent, generating embryonic lethal knock-out offspring, producing smaller live litters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanne M Hoffmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Rachel Larder
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jessica S Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Rachael J Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Crystal Trang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Brooke M Devries
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniel D Clark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Pamela L Mellon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA,
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Bohin N, Carlson EA, Samuelson LC. Genome Toxicity and Impaired Stem Cell Function after Conditional Activation of CreER T2 in the Intestine. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:1337-1346. [PMID: 30449703 PMCID: PMC6294112 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
With the tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 system, genetic recombination can be temporally controlled in a cell-type-specific manner in intact animals, permitting dissection of the molecular underpinnings of mammalian physiology. Here we present a significant drawback to CreERT2 technology for analysis of intestinal stem cells. Using the intestine-specific Villin-CreERT2 mouse strain, we observed delayed intestinal regeneration post irradiation. Villin-CreERT2 activation was associated with DNA damage and cryptic loxP site cleavage. Analysis of stem cell-specific CreERT2 strains showed that the genome toxicity impairs function of crypt base columnar stem cells, resulting in loss of organoid initiating activity. Importantly, the stem cell impairment is short-lived, with return to normal by 7 days post tamoxifen treatment. Our findings demonstrate that mouse genetic experiments that utilize CreERT2 should consider the confounding effects of enhanced stem cell sensitivity to genome toxicity resulting from CreERT2 activation. Intestinal stem cell (ISC) toxicity induced in mice by CreERT2 activation Impaired organoid formation after activation of ISC-specific CreERT2 strains Genotoxicity and impaired crypt regeneration in Villin-CreERT2 mice Impaired ISC function and genotoxicity repaired by 7 days after activation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natacha Bohin
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Cellular & Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Carlson
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Linda C Samuelson
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Cellular & Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Raftogianni A, Roth LC, García-González D, Bus T, Kühne C, Monyer H, Spergel DJ, Deussing JM, Grinevich V. Deciphering the Contributions of CRH Receptors in the Brain and Pituitary to Stress-Induced Inhibition of the Reproductive Axis. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:305. [PMID: 30214395 PMCID: PMC6125327 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on pharmacological studies, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its receptors play a leading role in the inhibition of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis during acute stress. To further study the effects of CRH receptor signaling on the HPG axis, we generated and/or employed male mice lacking CRH receptor type 1 (CRHR1) or type 2 (CRHR2) in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, GABAergic neurons, or in all central neurons and glia. The deletion of CRHRs revealed a preserved decrease of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) in response to either psychophysical or immunological stress. However, under basal conditions, central infusion of CRH into mice lacking CRHR1 in all central neurons and glia, or application of CRH to pituitary cultures from mice lacking CRHR2, failed to suppress LH release, unlike in controls. Our results, taken together with those of the earlier pharmacological studies, suggest that inhibition of the male HPG axis during acute stress is mediated by other factors along with CRH, and that CRH suppresses the HPG axis at the central and pituitary levels via CRHR1 and CRHR2, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Androniki Raftogianni
- Schaller Group on Neuropeptides, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg - Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena C Roth
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Diego García-González
- Department of Clinical Neurobiology, Medical Faculty of Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg - German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Bus
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany.,Max Planck Research Group at the Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Kühne
- Molecular Neurogenetics Research Group, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Hannah Monyer
- Department of Clinical Neurobiology, Medical Faculty of Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg - German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel J Spergel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jan M Deussing
- Molecular Neurogenetics Research Group, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Schaller Group on Neuropeptides, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg - Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Sgolastra F, Kuksin CA, Gonzalez-Perez G, Minter LM, Tew GN. Enhanced TAT-Cre Protein Transduction for Efficient Gene Recombination in T cells. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2018; 1:444-451. [PMID: 35016365 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.8b00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Genetic manipulation has increased our understanding of gene function and led to the discovery of new therapeutic targets. Cre/LoxP DNA recombination is widely used for genetic studies in mammalian cells. The direct delivery of Cre recombinase fused to protein transduction domains (PTDs), such as TAT, has been described as a valid alternative to the conditional, site-specific Cre expression in transgenic mice. However, efficiently conveying proteins into live cells, especially primary T cells, remains a major challenge. In this study, we show that one of our recently developed PTDs synthetic mimic greatly enhances the cellular uptake of the TAT-Cre fusion protein, enabling significantly smaller amounts of the protein to be used. We used this technique in primary mouse T cells to successfully delete, ex vivo, two essential genes involved in regulating T cell activation, Notch1 and Rbpjκ. Ex vivo gene deletion resulted in substantial protein reduction, comparable to that obtained in vivo when Cre-expressing Notch1-floxed (MxCre±Notch1fl/fl) mice were treated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyl/C), but in considerably less time, and without altering normal cell physiology. These results highlight several key advantages that include the ability to use less expensive protein (TAT-Cre), a major reduction in total experimental time and labor, and fewer side effects on the treated cells. This method should offer new opportunities for immunological studies, especially in the context of identifying novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
|
48
|
Bonniaud P, Fabre A, Frossard N, Guignabert C, Inman M, Kuebler WM, Maes T, Shi W, Stampfli M, Uhlig S, White E, Witzenrath M, Bellaye PS, Crestani B, Eickelberg O, Fehrenbach H, Guenther A, Jenkins G, Joos G, Magnan A, Maitre B, Maus UA, Reinhold P, Vernooy JHJ, Richeldi L, Kolb M. Optimising experimental research in respiratory diseases: an ERS statement. Eur Respir J 2018; 51:13993003.02133-2017. [PMID: 29773606 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02133-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Experimental models are critical for the understanding of lung health and disease and are indispensable for drug development. However, the pathogenetic and clinical relevance of the models is often unclear. Further, the use of animals in biomedical research is controversial from an ethical perspective.The objective of this task force was to issue a statement with research recommendations about lung disease models by facilitating in-depth discussions between respiratory scientists, and to provide an overview of the literature on the available models. Focus was put on their specific benefits and limitations. This will result in more efficient use of resources and greater reduction in the numbers of animals employed, thereby enhancing the ethical standards and translational capacity of experimental research.The task force statement addresses general issues of experimental research (ethics, species, sex, age, ex vivo and in vitro models, gene editing). The statement also includes research recommendations on modelling asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, lung infections, acute lung injury and pulmonary hypertension.The task force stressed the importance of using multiple models to strengthen validity of results, the need to increase the availability of human tissues and the importance of standard operating procedures and data quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Bonniaud
- Service de Pneumologie et Soins Intensifs Respiratoires, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.,Faculté de Médecine et Pharmacie, Université de Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France.,INSERM U866, Dijon, France
| | - Aurélie Fabre
- Dept of Histopathology, St Vincent's University Hospital, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nelly Frossard
- Laboratoire d'Innovation Thérapeutique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,CNRS UMR 7200, Faculté de Pharmacie, Illkirch, France.,Labex MEDALIS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christophe Guignabert
- INSERM UMR_S 999, Le Plessis-Robinson, France.,Université Paris-Sud and Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Mark Inman
- Dept of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St Joseph's Health Care MDCL 4011, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Wolfgang M Kuebler
- Institute of Physiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tania Maes
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wei Shi
- Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine Program, The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Dept of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Martin Stampfli
- Dept of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St Joseph's Health Care MDCL 4011, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Dept of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University
| | - Stefan Uhlig
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Eric White
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Dept of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Martin Witzenrath
- Dept of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine And Division of Pulmonary Inflammation, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pierre-Simon Bellaye
- Département de Médecine nucléaire, Plateforme d'imagerie préclinique, Centre George-François Leclerc (CGFL), Dijon, France
| | - Bruno Crestani
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bichat, DHU FIRE, Service de Pneumologie A, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR 1152, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Oliver Eickelberg
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Dept of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Heinz Fehrenbach
- Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany.,Member of the Leibniz Research Alliance Health Technologies
| | - Andreas Guenther
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universitary Hospital Giessen, Agaplesion Lung Clinic Waldhof-Elgershausen, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Gisli Jenkins
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Respiratory Research Unit, City Campus, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Guy Joos
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Antoine Magnan
- Institut du thorax, CHU de Nantes, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Bernard Maitre
- Hôpital H Mondor, AP-HP, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Service de Pneumologie et de Pathologie Professionnelle, DHU A-TVB, Université Paris Est - Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Ulrich A Maus
- Hannover School of Medicine, Division of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Petra Reinhold
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis at the 'Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut' (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
| | - Juanita H J Vernooy
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Luca Richeldi
- UOC Pneumologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Rome, Italy
| | - Martin Kolb
- Dept of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St Joseph's Health Care MDCL 4011, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Donovan CH, Wong SA, Randolph SH, Stark RA, Gibb RL, Gruber AJ. Sex differences in rat decision-making: The confounding role of extraneous feeder sampling between trials. Behav Brain Res 2018; 342:62-69. [PMID: 29355674 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Although male and female rats appear to perform differently in some tasks, a clear picture of sex differences in decision-making has yet to develop. This is in part due to significant variability arising from differences in strains and tasks. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of sex on specific response elements in a reinforcement learning task so as to help identify potential explanations for this variability. We found that the primary difference between sexes was the propensity to approach feeders out of the task context. This extraneous feeder sampling affects choice on subsequent trials in both sexes by promoting a lose-shift response away from the last feeder sampled. Female rats, however, were more likely to engage in this extraneous feeder sampling, and therefore exhibited a greater rate of this effect. Once trials following extraneous sampling were removed, there were no significant sex differences in any of the tested measures. These data suggest that feeder approach outside of the task context, which is often not recorded, could produce a confound in sex-based differences of reinforcement sensitivity in some tasks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clifford H Donovan
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 6T5, Canada
| | - Scott A Wong
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 6T5, Canada
| | - Sienna H Randolph
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 6T5, Canada
| | - Rachel A Stark
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 6T5, Canada
| | - Robbin L Gibb
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 6T5, Canada
| | - Aaron J Gruber
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 6T5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Altered Baseline and Nicotine-Mediated Behavioral and Cholinergic Profiles in ChAT-Cre Mouse Lines. J Neurosci 2018; 38:2177-2188. [PMID: 29371319 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1433-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent development of transgenic rodent lines expressing cre recombinase in a cell-specific manner, along with advances in engineered viral vectors, has permitted in-depth investigations into circuit function. However, emerging evidence has begun to suggest that genetic modifications may introduce unexpected caveats. In the current studies, we sought to extensively characterize male and female mice from both the ChAT(BAC)-Cre mouse line, created with the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) method, and ChAT(IRES)-Cre mouse line, generated with the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) method. ChAT(BAC)-Cre transgenic and wild-type mice did not differ in general locomotor behavior, anxiety measures, drug-induced cataplexy, nicotine-mediated hypolocomotion, or operant food training. However, ChAT(BAC)-Cre transgenic mice did exhibit significant deficits in intravenous nicotine self-administration, which paralleled an increase in vesicular acetylcholine transporter and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) hippocampal expression. For the ChAT(IRES)-Cre line, transgenic mice exhibited deficits in baseline locomotor, nicotine-mediated hypolocomotion, and operant food training compared with wild-type and hemizygous littermates. No differences among ChAT(IRES)-Cre wild-type, hemizygous, and transgenic littermates were found in anxiety measures, drug-induced cataplexy, and nicotine self-administration. Given that increased cre expression was present in the ChAT(IRES)-Cre transgenic mice, as well as a decrease in ChAT expression in the hippocampus, altered neuronal function may underlie behavioral phenotypes. In contrast, ChAT(IRES)-Cre hemizygous mice were more similar to wild-type mice in both protein expression and the majority of behavioral assessments. As such, interpretation of data derived from ChAT-Cre rodents must consider potential limitations dependent on the line and/or genotype used in research investigations.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Altered baseline and/or nicotine-mediated behavioral profiles were discovered in transgenic mice from the ChAT(BAC)-Cre and ChAT(IRES)-Cre lines. Given that these cre-expressing mice have become increasingly used by the scientific community, either independently with chemicogenetic and optogenetic viral vectors or crossed with other transgenic lines, the current studies highlight important considerations for the interpretation of data from previous and future experimental investigations. Moreover, the current findings detail the behavioral effects of either increased or decreased baseline cholinergic signaling mechanisms on locomotor, anxiety, learning/memory, and intravenous nicotine self-administration behaviors.
Collapse
|