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Transgenic mouse for conditional, tissue‐specific Cox‐2 overexpression
Author(s) -
Kamei Kenichiro,
Ishikawa Tomoo,
Herschman Harvey R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/dvg.20199
Subject(s) - cre recombinase , biology , transgene , genetically modified mouse , microbiology and biotechnology , luciferase , green fluorescent protein , transfection , cancer research , gene , genetics
We constructed a cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) conditional overexpression transgenic mouse (Cox‐2 COE). The transgene contains a CAG promoter driving the Cox‐2 and humanized Renilla luciferase (hRL) coding regions, linked by an internal ribosomal entry site. The promoter is followed by a loxP‐flanked sequence containing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), a neomycin selection cassette, and a transcriptional/translational STOP sequence. In the presence of Cre recombinase the loxP‐flanked sequence is excised. Cox‐2/hRL expression can be monitored repeatedly and noninvasively in vivo by imaging hRL activity. To demonstrate conditional Cox‐2 and hRL expression, a nonreplicating adenovirus carrying Cre recombinase (Ad.CMV.Cre) was injected intravenously; hepatic Cox‐2 expression and hRL signal were elevated. Cox‐2 COE embryonic fibroblasts express both Cox‐2 and hRL following Ad.CMV.Cre infection. PGE 2 production is also increased following Ad.CMV.Cre infection of Cox‐2 COE embryo fibroblasts. Cox‐2 COE mice should be valuable for the study of Cox‐2 overexpression in cardiovascular disease, acute and chronic inflammatory responses, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. genesis 44:177–182, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.