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An Fgfr3‐iCreER T2 transgenic mouse line for studies of neural stem cells and astrocytes
Author(s) -
Young Kaylene M.,
Mitsumori Tomoyuki,
Pringle Nigel,
Grist Matthew,
Kessaris Nicoletta,
Richardson William D.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.20976
Subject(s) - biology , olfactory bulb , astrocyte , subventricular zone , neurosphere , neural stem cell , neurogenesis , neuroscience , embryonic stem cell , neuroepithelial cell , genetically modified mouse , gliogenesis , forebrain , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroglia , fibroblast growth factor , central nervous system , stem cell , transgene , adult stem cell , genetics , receptor , gene
The lack of markers for astrocytes, particularly gray matter astrocytes, significantly hinders research into their development and physiological properties. We previously reported that fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 ( Fgfr3 ) is expressed by radial precursors in the ventricular zone of the embryonic neural tube and subsequently by differentiated astrocytes in gray and white matter. Here, we describe an Fgfr3‐iCreER T2 phage artificial chromosome transgenic mouse line that allows efficient tamoxifen‐induced Cre recombination in Fgfr3‐ expressing cells, including radial glial cells in the embryonic neural tube and both fibrous and protoplasmic astrocytes in the mature central nervous system. This mouse strain will therefore be useful for studies of normal astrocyte biology and their responses to CNS injury or disease. In addition, Fgfr3‐iCreER T2 drives Cre recombination in all neurosphere‐forming stem cells in the adult spinal cord and at least 90% of those in the adult forebrain subventricular zone. We made use of this to show that there is continuous accumulation of all major interneuron subtypes in the olfactory bulb (OB) from postnatal day 50 (P50) until at least P230 (∼8 months of age). It therefore seems likely that adult‐born interneurons integrate into existing circuitry and perform long‐term functions in the adult OB. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.