Open AccessGeneration and characterization of a Meflin-CreERT2 transgenic line for lineage tracing in white adipose tissue
Author(s) -
Takahide Kuwano,
Hironori Izumi,
Muhammad Rahil Aslam,
Yoshiko Igarashi,
Muhammad Bilal,
Ayumi Nishimura,
Yoshiyuki Watanabe,
Allah Nawaz,
Tomonobu Kado,
Koichi Ikuta,
Seiji Yamamoto,
Masakiyo Sasahara,
Shiho Fujisaka,
Kunimasa Yagi,
Hisashi Mori,
Kazuyuki Tobe
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0248267
Subject(s) - adipose tissue , biology , lineage (genetic) , genetically modified mouse , mesenchymal stem cell , stem cell , white adipose tissue , microbiology and biotechnology , transgene , adipocyte , cellular differentiation , lineage markers , gene , progenitor cell , genetics , endocrinology
Meflin ( Islr ) expression has gained attention as a marker for mesenchymal stem cells, but its function remains largely unexplored. Here, we report the generation of Meflin - CreER T2 mice with CreER T2 inserted under the Meflin gene promoter to label Meflin -expressing cells genetically, thereby enabling their lineages to be traced. We found that in adult mice, Meflin -expressing lineage cells were present in adipose tissue stroma and had differentiated into mature adipocytes. These cells constituted Crown-like structures in the adipose tissue of mice after high-fat diet loading. Cold stimulation led to the differentiation of Meflin -expressing lineage cells into beige adipocytes. Thus, the Meflin-CreER T2 mouse line is a useful new tool for visualizing and tracking the lineage of Meflin -expressing cells.