Inducible expression of Cre recombinase in the retinal pigmented epithelium

Yun Zheng Le, Wei Zheng, Peng Cheng Rao, Lixing Zheng, Robert E. Anderson, Noriko Esumi, Donald J. Zack, Meili Zhu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE. The retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) expresses many genes that play important roles in the support and maintenance of photoreceptors. The present study was conducted to develop a system amenable to the dissection of the temporal function of these genes, specifically within RPE cells. Transgenic mice were generated and characterized in which the expression of Cre recombinase could be specifically induced within the RPE. METHODS. Transgenic mice carrying the human vitelliform macular dystrophy-2 (VMD2) promoter (PVMD2)- directed reverse tetracycline-dependent transactivator (rtTA) and the tetracycline-responsive element (TRE)- directed cre were generated. Inducible Cre expression was achieved by feeding doxycycline to these mice and was characterized by using a Cre-activatable lacZ reporter mouse strain (R26R). RESULTS. A β-galactosidase assay of rtTA/Cre-R26R mice demonstrated that the basal level of Cre expression without doxycycline induction was negligible. Addition of doxycycline led to induction of RPE-specific Cre expression/function at least from embryonic day 9 to postnatal day 60. The highest induction occurred at approximately postnatal day 4. As measured by ERG and histology, retinal function and morphology were normal in 10-month-old rtTA/Cre mice that were treated with doxycycline at weaning age. CONCLUSIONS. Transgenic mice were generated that express Cre recombinase in the RPE in an inducible fashion. These mice will be useful for studies of the RPE-specific role of genes that are expressed in the RPE as well as other cells, particularly for avoiding embryonic lethality and dissecting the function of genes that play dual roles in development and adulthood.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1248-1253
Number of pages6
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume49
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Inducible expression of Cre recombinase in the retinal pigmented epithelium'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this