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Generation and characterization of hPepT1 transgenic mice
Author(s) -
Dalmasso Guillaume,
Nguyen Hang Thi Thu,
Sitaraman Shanthi V,
Merlin Didier
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1183.6
Subject(s) - biology , lamina propria , duodenum , pathology , spleen , small intestine , ileum , genetically modified mouse , transgene , enteric nervous system , neuroscience , epithelium , immunology , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , gene
Human PepT1 (hPepT1), a di‐tripeptide transporter highly up‐regulated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), plays a key role in mediating immune response by transporting bacterial peptides. Currently there is no animal model to study the role of hPepT1 in intestinal disorders. To obtain strong and ubiquitous transgene expression in mice, we constructed a β‐actin promoter‐hPepT1 expression vector. β‐actin was chosen as it is constitutively expressed during embryonic development and adulthood. hPepT1 transgenics mice show a strong ubiquitous hPepT1 expression in Brain, Kidney, Lung, Spleen, Small Intestine, Colon, Liver, and Stomach. The external examination, macroscopic examination of body cavities, organs and tissues did not show significant changes. At the microscopic examination, several tissues such as Skin, Heart, Aorta, Larynx, trachea, Lungs, Thymus, Exocrine pancreas, Kidney, cerebral cortex, spinal cord, or ganglia of peripheral nervous system were unremarkable. Interestingly, minor histological changes in the gastro‐intestinal tract were observed to localize in the duodenum, ileum and large intestine. We found diffuse submucosal edema and multifocally presence of lymphocytes and macrophages in the lamina propria of these tissues. Overall, the hPepT1 transgenic mice should provide a good in vivo model to study the physiopathological relevance of hPepT1 over‐expression in IBD.