Targeted expression of Cre recombinase in macrophages and osteoclasts in transgenic mice

M Ferron, J Vacher - genesis, 2005 - Wiley Online Library
M Ferron, J Vacher
genesis, 2005Wiley Online Library
To develop specific conditional gene ablation in the hematopoietic myeloid‐osteoclast
lineage, transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the CD11b
promotor were generated on the C57BL/6 background. The cellular specificity of Cre activity
following recombination was quantified in the Z/EG reporter transgenic mice by FACS
analysis with lineage‐specific markers and EGFP coexpression. A high degree of
recombination, as evidenced by EGFP‐positive cells, was demonstrated in macrophages …
Abstract
To develop specific conditional gene ablation in the hematopoietic myeloid‐osteoclast lineage, transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the CD11b promotor were generated on the C57BL/6 background. The cellular specificity of Cre activity following recombination was quantified in the Z/EG reporter transgenic mice by FACS analysis with lineage‐specific markers and EGFP coexpression. A high degree of recombination, as evidenced by EGFP‐positive cells, was demonstrated in macrophages and granulocytes of bone marrow and spleen by the presence of double‐positive cells CD11b/EGFP and Gr1/EGFP, respectively. Interestingly, the peritoneal macrophage population showed almost complete DNA recombination at large. Most important, mature osteoclast cells derived from the double transgenic bone marrow and spleen progenitors were EGFP‐positive. Hence, these CD11b‐Cre mice will provide a unique tool to unravel novel gene function and activities involved during osteoclast and macrophage differentiation and maturation processes. genesis 41:138–145, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
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