β-actin-luc - Model 10498

Genetic Background:

FVB Background

Origin:

The β-actin-luc mouse was developed by Caliper Life Sciences. The model was created by microinjecting a transgene containing a fragment of the murine β-actin promoter isolated from genomic DNA, a chimeric intron and modified firefly luciferase cDNA from pGL3. This transgene was microinjected into FVB/N zygotes. The resultant mice from founder line 46 were bred to FVB/NTac mice. Taconic received stock from Caliper in 2010. The line was embryo transfer derived. The line was maintained by mating wild mice and hemizygous mice.

Color:

Albino

Species:

Mouse

Initial Publication:

There is no specific publication describing the generation of these mice, but multiple publications exist demonstrating applications using the mice. See reference list.

Other publications:

• Cheeran MC, Mutnal MB, Hu S, Armien A, Lokensgard JR. (2009) Reduced lymphocyte infiltration during cytomegalovirus brain infection of interleukin-10-deficient mice. J Neurovirol. 15(4):334-42.
• Murphy CT, Moloney G, Macsharry J, Haynes A, Faivre E, Quinlan A, McLean PG, Lee K, O'Mahony L, Shanahan F, Melgar S, Nally K. (2010) Technical Advance: Function and efficacy of an {alpha}4-integrin antagonist using bioluminescence imaging to detect leukocyte trafficking in murine experimental colitis. J Leukoc Biol. 88(6):1271-8.
• Murphy CT, Moloney G, Hall LJ, Quinlan A, Faivre E, Casey P, Shanahan F, Melgar S, Nally K. (2010) Use of bioluminescence imaging to track neutrophil migration and its inhibition in experimental colitis. Clin Exp Immunol. 162(1):188-96.
• Schachtele SJ, Hu S, Little MR, Lokensgard JR. (2010) Herpes simplex virus induces neural oxidative damage via microglial cell Toll-like receptor-2. J Neuroinflammation. 7:35.

Animal Diet:

NIH #31M Rodent Diet

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This model is sold under terms which grant perpetual use rights.

Figure 1A: Male and female mice were imaged in the ventral (left) and dorsal (right) regions. High basal luciferase expression was observed in males and females in feet, tail, ear, and mouth, all areas where bare skin is visible. Luciferase expression was observed in male gonads in some animals.

Figure 1B. β-actin-luc tissue expression survey from 2 male and 2 female mice (Fig. 1A). Data are expressed in Relative Light Units (RLU)/mg protein.

Tissue Expression of Luciferase signal

Luciferase expression of the β-actin-luc transgene was examined in extracts of tissue dissected from adult male and female mice from the β-actin-luc LPTA® animal model. Luciferase expression was highest in skeletal muscle, thymus skin, heart, bone, pancreas, and was detectable in all tissues examined including white blood cells (Fig. 1B). The bar graph is plotted with a logarithmic ordinate scale to graphically display all data. The expression data agree with ex vivo study data (not shown) and published work examining constitutive promoter-driven transgene expression.1,2 Luciferase expression was also examined in white blood cells from β-actin-luc mice (Fig. 1C (below)). Whole blood was harvested and spun to enrich for white blood cells. Cells were then serially diluted in a 96-well plate and placed in media containing luciferin substrate.

Imaging Recommendations

Anesthetize mice prior to injection of luciferin and measurement of luciferase transgene expression. Optimal imaging occurs between 10 and 20 minutes following intraperitoneal injection of luciferin.