scholarly journals 179IMPORTANCE OF EMBRYO TRANSFERS IN TRANSGENIC MOUSE FACILITIES

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 211
Author(s):  
E. Mahabir ◽  
A. Mayer ◽  
S. Marschall ◽  
M. Hrabe de Angelis ◽  
J. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Specific Pathogen Free ◽  
Health Standards ◽  
Specific Pathogen ◽  
Cryopreserved Sperm ◽  
Mouse Lines

With the increasing demand for and production of transgenic and mutant mice for biomedical research, embryo transfer plays a paramount role. The purpose of performing embryo transfer in this species is to generate transgenic mice via blastocyst injection of embryonic stem cells or pronuclear injection of DNA constructs, to revitalize cryopreserved sperm and embryos, and to generate mouse lines that meet specific pathogen-free health standards for breeding in barrier areas (rederivation). We present results from two years of carrying out embryo transfers for rederivation purposes in the large mouse breeding facility of the GSF—National Research Center for Environment and Health, Neuherberg, Germany. Pathogens to be eradicated from inbred transgenic (C57BL/6 background) and mutant (C3H background) mouse lines included mouse hepatitis virus, mouse minute virus, and mouse parvovirus. In vitro- and in vivo-produced two-cell embryos were washed 3 times in M2 medium. A total of 20 embryos each were transferred to the oviduct of 8- to 12-week-old specific pathogen-free pseudopregnant (Day 0.5) Swiss recipients under aseptic conditions. Mice were then kept singly in individually ventilated cages and manipulated in a Class II laminar flow hood. From each transfer to one to five recipients with embryos originating from the same mouse line, one recipient was tested for the presence of microorganisms 6 to 12 weeks after embryo transfer, i.e. at 0 to 6 weeks after weaning, according to the FELASA (Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations) Guidelines. A total of 290 embryo transfers were performed for revitalization of cryopreserved sperm from 52 mouse lines, cryopreserved two-cell embryos from 18 mouse lines and rederivation of 12 mouse lines using freshly collected two-cell embryos. From these 290 embryo transfers, 59 mouse lines were re-established (40 from cryopreserved sperm, 7 from cryopreserved embryos and 12 from in vivo-produced embryos). Health monitoring of 54 recipients showed that all mouse lines generated were free of all pathogens stated in the FELASA list. The results presented here show that all 12 (100%) mouse lines were re-established after transfer of freshly collected two-cell embryos whereas 77% and 39% success rates were observed for revitalization of cryopreserved sperm and embryos, respectively. The success of embryo transfer in eradicating pathogens depends on the inability of these pathogens to transverse the zona pellucida and enter and/or infect embryonic cells. In our mouse facility, embryo transfer provided an efficient method to successfully revitalize cells of the mouse germ line as well as to eradicate prevalent murine pathogens. Furthermore, the results demonstrate the efficiency of transferring embryos of different origins and thereby obtaining and maintaining specific pathogen-free health standards in our mouse colonies.

scholarly journals Microbiota Facilitates the Formation of the Aminated Metabolite of Tea Polyphenols Which Trap Deleterious Reactive Endogenous Metabolites (P06-022-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuwei Zhang ◽  
Yantao Zhao ◽  
Christina Ohland ◽  
Christian Jobin ◽  
Shengmin Sang
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Green Tea ◽  
Tea Polyphenols ◽  
Specific Pathogen Free ◽  
Tea Polyphenol ◽  
Germ Free ◽  
Specific Pathogen ◽  
Conjugated Metabolites

Abstract Objectives The in vivo mechanism of tea polyphenol-mediated prevention of many chronic diseases is still largely unknown. Studies have shown that accumulation of toxic reactive cellular metabolites, such as ammonia and reactive carbonyl species (RCS), is one of the causing factors to the development of many chronic diseases. The objective of this study is to investigated the in vivo interaction between tea polyphenols and ammonia and RCS. Methods In mice, we gave 200 mg/kg tea polyphenol ((-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) or theaflavin) to CD-1 mice, 129/SvEv specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mice, or germ-free (GF) mice. Urinary and fecal samples were collected in metabolic cages for 24 h. In humans, two healthy volunteers drank 4 cups of Lipton green tea every day for four days. On the fourth day, 24 h urinary and fecal samples were collected after consuming the first cup of tea. Using LC tandem mass, we searched the formation of the aminated and RCS conjugated metabolites of tea polyphenols. Chemical standards were synthesized to confirm the structures of these metabolites. In order to study the impact of gut microbiota on the formation of these metabolites, we also quantified the concentrations of these metabolites in SPF and GF mice. Results We found that both EGCG and theaflavin could rapidly react with ammonia to generate the aminated metabolites. Both tea polyphenols and their aminated metabolites could further scavenge RCS, such as methylglyoxal (MGO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), to produce the RCS conjugates of tea polyphenols and the aminated tea polyphenols. Both the aminated and the RCS conjugated metabolites of EGCG were detected in human after drinking four cups of green tea per day. By comparing the levels of the aminated and the RCS conjugated metabolites in EGCG or theaflavin exposed germ-free (GF) mice and specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mice, we demonstrated that gut microbiota facilitate the formation of the aminated metabolites of tea polyphenols, the RCS conjugates of tea polyphenols, and the RCS conjugates of the aminated tea polyphenols. Conclusions Altogether, this study provides in vivo evidences that tea polyphenols have the capacity to scavenge toxic reactive metabolic wastes. This finding opens a new window to understand the underlying mechanisms by which drinking tea could prevent the development of chronic diseases. Funding Sources We gratefully acknowledge financial support from NIH R01 grant AT008623 to this work.

329 FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SPERMATOZOA FROM REPORTER TRANSGENIC BOARS DERIVED BY PRECISION GENETIC ENGINEERING

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 312
Author(s):  
W. Garrels ◽  
S. Holler ◽  
N. Cleve ◽  
S. Klein ◽  
Z. Ivics ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Line ◽  
Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Sleeping Beauty ◽  
Large Animal Model ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Reporter Protein ◽  
Cassette Exchange ◽  
Flow Cytometric

Recently, we produced 2 founder boars with a non-autonomous Sleeping Beauty (SB) system carrying 3 monomeric integrations of a Venus transposon cassette and showing transgene segregation during meiosis (Garrels et al. 2011 PLoS One 6, e27563). It was possible to show transmission of the reporter protein to fertilized oocytes by confocal microscopy. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of different fluorophore reporters for in vivo labelling of pig spermatozoa. Therefore, we used Venus transposon fibroblasts from a F1 boar, which carry a single integration of the transposon cassette and used these fibroblasts for a Cre-mediated cassette exchange against an mCherry reporter. These cells were used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to derive a syngene clone cohort of boars, which differ only in the fluorophore reporter cDNAs (either Venus or mCherry). Importantly, this methodology did not request any antibiotic selection cassette and allows precise genetic modifications in a livestock species where no authentic embryonic stem cells are available (Garrels et al. 2012 Trends in Biotechnology 30, 386–393). A total of 8 male piglets carrying the Venus transposon, and 4 male piglets carrying the mCherry reporter were born. Three Venus boars and 2 mCherry boars were raised to sexual maturity, and ejaculated sperm was obtained with the help of a phantom. A detailed flow cytometric analysis revealed that the spermatozoa samples were specifically Venus or mCherry positive [Gallios, Beckmann Coulter, Krefeld, Germany; solid-state laser (488 nm; 22 mW), filter for green fluorescence (525 BP); filter for red fluorescence: (620/30)], respectively. In direct comparative measurements, the spermatozoa samples from transgenic boars (Venus and Cherry) and wildtype controls could be discriminated. Interestingly, spermatozoa were uniformly Venus- or mCherry-positive and gave a distinct fluorescence peak in flow-cytometric measurements. The monomeric transgenes were transmitted through the germ line according to Mendelian rules with the expected ratio of 50% transgenic and 50% nontransgenic piglets. Fluorescence microscopic analysis and Western blotting confirmed the uniform presence of Venus and mCherry in boar spermatozoa, respectively. This is the first characterisation of spermatozoa from a pig cohort carrying a targeted cassette exchange. This large animal model may help to elucidate the function of paternally transmitted components to fertilized oocytes.

scholarly journals Targeted Disruption of the Ceacam1(MHVR) Gene Leads to Reduced Susceptibility of Mice to Mouse Hepatitis Virus Infection

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (17) ◽  
pp. 8173-8186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianna M. Blau ◽  
Claire Turbide ◽  
Michel Tremblay ◽  
Melanie Olson ◽  
Stéphanie Létourneau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Mouse Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Virus Growth

ABSTRACT The CEACAM1 glycoproteins (formerly called biliary glycoproteins; BGP, C-CAM, CD66a, or MHVR) are members of the carcinoembryonic antigen family of cell adhesion molecules. In the mouse, splice variants of CEACAM1 have either two or four immunoglobulin (Ig) domains linked through a transmembrane domain to either a short or a long cytoplasmic tail. CEACAM1 has cell adhesion activity and acts as a signaling molecule, and long-tail isoforms inhibit the growth of colon and prostate tumor cells in rodents. CEACAM1 isoforms serve as receptors for several viral and bacterial pathogens, including the murine coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, andNeisseria meningitidis in humans. To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the many biological activities of CEACAM1, we modified the expression of the mouse Ceacam1 gene in vivo. Manipulation of the Ceacam1 gene in mouse embryonic stem cells that contained the Ceacam1a allele yielded a partial knockout. We obtained one line of mice in which the insert in the Ceacam1a gene had sustained a recombination event. This resulted in the markedly reduced expression of the two CEACAM1a isoforms with four Ig domains, whereas the expression of the two isoforms with two Ig domains was doubled relative to that in wild-type BALB/c (+/+) mice. Homozygous (p/p)Ceacam1a-targeted mice (Ceacam1aΔ4D) had no gross tissue abnormalities and were viable and fertile; however, they were more resistant to MHV A59 infection and death than normal (+/+) mice. Following intranasal inoculation with MHV A59, p/p mice developed markedly fewer and smaller lesions in the liver than +/+ or heterozygous (+/p) mice. The titers of virus produced in the livers were 50- to 100-fold lower in p/p mice than in +/p or +/+ mice. p/p mice survived a dose 100-fold higher than the lethal dose of virus for +/+ mice. +/p mice were intermediate between +/+ and p/p mice in susceptibility to liver damage, virus growth in liver, and susceptibility to killing by MHV. Ceacam1a-targeted mice provide a new model to study the effects of modulation of receptor expression on susceptibility to MHV infection in vivo.

Pluripotent Stem Cells and Reprogrammed Cells in Farm Animals

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 474-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Nowak-Imialek ◽  
Wilfried Kues ◽  
Joseph W. Carnwath ◽  
Heiner Niemann
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Pluripotent Cells ◽  
Cell Extracts

AbstractPluripotent cells are unique because of their ability to differentiate into the cell lineages forming the entire organism. True pluripotent stem cells with germ line contribution have been reported for mice and rats. Human pluripotent cells share numerous features of pluripotentiality, but confirmation of their in vivo capacity for germ line contribution is impossible due to ethical and legal restrictions. Progress toward derivation of embryonic stem cells from domestic species has been made, but the derived cells were not able to produce germ line chimeras and thus are termed embryonic stem-like cells. However, domestic animals, in particular the domestic pig (Sus scrofa), are excellent large animals models, in which the clinical potential of stem cell therapies can be studied. Reprogramming technologies for somatic cells, including somatic cell nuclear transfer, cell fusion, in vitro culture in the presence of cell extracts, in vitro conversion of adult unipotent spermatogonial stem cells into germ line derived pluripotent stem cells, and transduction with reprogramming factors have been developed with the goal of obtaining pluripotent, germ line competent stem cells from domestic animals. This review summarizes the present state of the art in the derivation and maintenance of pluripotent stem cells in domestic animals.

scholarly journals Efeito do lipopolissacarídio bacteriano sobre o esvaziamento gástrico de ratos: avaliação do pré-tratamento com Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)

2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-232
Author(s):  
Edgard Ferro Collares ◽  
Adriana Mendes Vinagre
Keyword(s):  
Methyl Ester ◽  
Specific Pathogen Free ◽  
Specific Pathogen ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Óxido Nítrico

RACIONAL: Há evidências de que o óxido nítrico participa do mecanismo de retardo do esvaziamento gástrico determinado pelo lipopolissacarídio bacteriano. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do pré-tratamento com Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, um inibidor competitivo das óxido nítrico-sintetases, sobre o fenômeno. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Utilizaram-se ratos, Wistar, machos, SPF ("specific-pathogen free"), adultos, adaptados às condições do laboratório, que após 24 horas de jejum alimentar foram pré-tratados endovenosamente com veículo (salina) ou Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester nas doses de 0,5, 1, 2,5 e 5 mg/kg. No tratamento, administrou-se endovenosamente veículo (salina) ou lipopolissacarídio (50 µg/kg). O intervalo entre o pré-tratamento e o tratamento foi de 10 minutos, e entre este e a avaliação do esvaziamento gástrico foi de 60 minutos. O esvaziamento gástrico foi avaliado indiretamente através da determinação da retenção gástrica da solução salina marcada com fenol vermelho 10 minutos após administração por via orogástrica. RESULTADOS: Entre os animais pré-tratados com veículo, o tratamento com lipopolissacarídio determinou elevação significativa da retenção gástrica (média = 57%) em relação aos tratados com veículo (38,1%). O pré-tratamento com as diferentes doses de Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester não modificou a retenção gástrica nos animais controles do tratamento. O pré-tratamento com Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester com a dose de 1 mg/kg determinou redução discreta, mas significativa, na retenção gástrica (52%) nos animais tratados com lipopolissacarídio, em relação ao observado naqueles com pré-tratamento e tratamento com veículo (35,9%). Nos animais pré-tratados com 2,5 e 5 mg/kg de Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester e tratados com lipopolissacarídio, houve aumento significante da retenção gástrica (74,7% e 80,5%, respectivamente) em relação aos seus controles pré-tratados com as mesmas doses do inibidor das óxido nítrico-sintetases e tratados com veículo (40,5% e 38,7%, respectivamente) e àqueles pré-tratados com veículo e tratados com a mesma toxina. CONCLUSÃO: O pré-tratamento com Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester numa dose baixa (1 mg/kg) determinou redução discreta no efeito de retardo do esvaziamento gástrico determinado pelo lipopolissacarídio in vivo e aumento significativo do retardo com doses mais elevadas (2,5 e 5 mg/kg), doses estas que, per se, não interferem no esvaziamento.

Establishment of germ-line-competent embryonic stem (ES) cells using differentiation inhibiting activity

Development ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 1341-1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Nichols ◽  
E.P. Evans ◽  
A.G. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Germ Line ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Inhibiting Activity ◽  
Es Cell ◽  
Essential Function ◽  
Germ Line Transmission

The regulatory factor Differentiation Inhibiting Activity/Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (DIA/LIF) suppresses the differentiation of cultured embryonic stem (ES) cells. In the present study, it is shown that ES cell lines can be derived and maintained in the absence of feeder layers using medium supplemented with purified DIA/LIF. These cells can differentiate normally in vitro and in vivo and they retain the capacity for germ-line transmission. DIA/LIF therefore fulfils the essential function of feeders in the isolation of pluripotential stem cells.

scholarly journals Transmission of Mouse Minute Virus (MMV) but Not Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV) Following Embryo Transfer with Experimentally Exposed In Vivo-Derived Embryos1

2007 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Mahabir ◽  
Diana Bulian ◽  
Jeffrey Needham ◽  
Anna Mayer ◽  
Bart Mateusen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Mouse Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Minute Virus

Gene-targeting and transgenic approaches to IGF and IGF binding protein function

1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (4) ◽  
pp. E613-E622 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Models ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Somatic Growth ◽  
Igf Binding Proteins ◽  
Igf Binding ◽  
Mouse Lines

The ability to manipulate genetic information in the germ line of mice has provided powerful approaches to study gene function in vivo. These approaches have included the establishment of mouse lines in which a specified gene or genes are overexpressed, ectopically expressed, or deleted. Transgenic and gene-targeted mouse lines have been used extensively to study the function of the insulin-like growth factors (IGF), IGF-I and IGF-II, and their receptors and binding proteins. In the IGF system, these technologies have elucidated the roles of the IGFs in fetal and somatic growth and have demonstrated a critical role for this system in transformation and tumorigenesis. Analysis of combinatorial crosses of gene-targeted mouse lines also has suggested the existence of an as yet unidentified IGF receptor that regulates fetal growth. Similar approaches using transgenic and gene-targeted mouse models have been initiated to study the in vivo functions of the IGF binding proteins. These mouse models provide important tools to test specific functional questions in vivo as well as to study the long-term physiological consequences of chronic gene alterations.

scholarly journals Pax3-FKHR Knock-In Mice Show Developmental Aberrations but Do Not Develop Tumors

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 7204-7216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Lagutina ◽  
Simon J. Conway ◽  
Jack Sublett ◽  
Gerard C. Grosveld
Keyword(s):  
Germ Line ◽  
Perinatal Death ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Fibroblast Cell ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Developmental Defects ◽  
Developmental Abnormalities ◽  
Cdna Sequences ◽  
Valve Insufficiency

ABSTRACT Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is a pediatric disease specified by the recurrent chromosome translocations t(2;13) and t(1;13). These translocations result in the formation of the PAX3-FKHR and PAX7-FKHR fusion genes, which are thought to play a causal role in the genesis of this disease. Although PAX3-FKHR exhibits transforming activity in immortalized fibroblast cell lines, a direct role of this fusion protein in tumorigenesis in vivo has not been shown. We determined whether expression of Pax3-FKHR in the mouse germ line would render these animals prone to the development of rhabdomyosarcomas. By targeting FKHR cDNA sequences into the Pax3 locus of embryonic stem cells, we used these cells to generate mice carrying a Pax3-FKHR knock-in allele. Despite low expression of the knock-in allele, heterozygous offspring of Pax3-FKHR chimeric mice showed developmental abnormalities. These included intraventricular septum defects, tricuspid valve insufficiency, and diaphragm defects, which caused congestive heart failure leading to perinatal death. In addition, Pax3-FKHR heterozygous offspring displayed malformations of some but not all hypaxial muscles. However, neither newborn heterozygous pups nor their chimeric parents showed any signs of malignancy. We conclude that the Pax3-FKHR allele causes lethal developmental defects in knock-in mice but might be insufficient to cause muscle tumors.

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