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Inducible targeting of CNS astrocytes in Aldh1l1-CreERT2 BAC transgenic mice.

ABSTRACT: Background: Studying astrocytes in higher brain functions has been hampered by the lack of genetic tools for the efficient expression of inducible Cre recombinase throughout the CNS, including the neocortex. Methods: Therefore, we generated BAC transgenic mice, in which CreERT2 is expressed under control of the Aldh1l1 regulatory region. Results: When crossbred to Cre reporter mice, adult Aldh1l1-CreERT2 mice show efficient gene targeting in astrocytes. No such Cre-mediated recombination was detectable in CNS neurons, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. As expected, Aldh1l1-CreERT2 expression was evident in several peripheral organs, including liver and kidney. Conclusions: Taken together, Aldh1l1-CreERT2 mice are a useful tool for studying astrocytes in neurovascular coupling, brain metabolism, synaptic plasticity and other aspects of neuron-glia interactions.

SUBMITTER: Winchenbach J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5265728 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Inducible targeting of CNS astrocytes in Aldh1l1-CreERT2 BAC transgenic mice.

Winchenbach Jan J Düking Tim T Berghoff Stefan A SA Stumpf Sina K SK Hülsmann Swen S Nave Klaus-Armin KA Saher Gesine G

F1000Research 20161230

Background: Studying astrocytes in higher brain functions has been hampered by the lack of genetic tools for the efficient expression of inducible Cre recombinase throughout the CNS, including the neocortex. Methods: Therefore, we generated BAC transgenic mice, in which CreERT2 is expressed under control of the Aldh1l1 regulatory region. Results: When crossbred to Cre reporter mice, adult Aldh1l1-CreERT2 mice show efficient gene targeting in astrocytes. No such Cre-me ...[more]

PMID: 28149504

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