1. Inducible targeting of CNS astrocytes in Aldh1l1-CreERT2 BAC transgenic mice [version 1; referees: 3 approved]
- Author
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Jan Winchenbach, Tim Düking, Stefan A. Berghoff, Sina K. Stumpf, Swen Hülsmann, Klaus-Armin Nave, and Gesine Saher
- Subjects
Research Article ,Articles ,Neurogenetics ,Astrocyte ,Bergman glia ,inducible Cre recombinase ,tamoxifen ,neuroscience - 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.
- Published
- 2016
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