A histological survey of green fluorescent protein expression in 'green' mice: Implications for stem cell research

Sandra A. Biankin, Michael I. Collector, Andrew V. Biankin, Lindsey J. Brown, Wolfram Kleeberger, Wendy L. Devereux, Cynthia A. Zahnow, Stephen B. Baylin, D. Neil Watkins, Saul J. Sharkis, Steven D. Leach

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims: The transgenic enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expressing 'green' mouse (C57BL/6-TgN(ACTbEGFP)1Osb) is a widely used tool in stem cell research, where the ubiquitous nature of EGFP expression is critical to track the fate of single or small groups of transplanted haematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Our aim was to investigate this assumed ubiquitous expression by performing a detailed histological survey of EGFP expression in these mice. Methods: Fluorescent microscopy of frozen tissue sections was used to perform a detailed histological survey of the pattern of EGFP expression in these mice. Flow cytometry was also used to determine the expression pattern in blood and bone marrow. Results: Three patterns of EGFP expression were noted. In most tissues there was an apparently stochastic variegation of the transgene, with individual cell types demonstrating highly variable rates of EGFP expression. Certain specific cell types such as pancreatic ductal epithelium, cerebral cortical neurones and glial cells and glomerular mesangial cells consistently lacked EGFP expression, while others, including pancreatic islet cells, expressed EGFP only at extremely low levels, barely distinguishable from background. Lastly, in the colon and stomach the pattern of EGFP expression was suggestive of clonal inactivation. Only cardiac and skeletal muscle showed near ubiquitous expression. Conclusions: These findings raise questions regarding the 'ubiquitous' expression of EGFP in these transgenic mice and suggest caution in relying overly on EGFP alone as an infallible marker of donor cell origin.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)247-251
Number of pages5
JournalPathology
Volume39
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2007

Keywords

  • GFP Mice
  • GFP expression
  • Stem cell transplantation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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