A transgenic mouse model for the detailed morphological study of astrocytes.
We have generated a transgenic mouse model in which astrocytes express an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the mouse glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter. EGFP, which is characteristically found throughout the cell, was expressed in these animals even in astrocytic fine processes, and EGFP expressing cells demonstrated morphological characters of protoplasmic, fibrous, or reactive astrocytes. In contrast, GFAP immunoreactivity was found only in the perinuclear region and in the main processes. The transgenic mouse model therefore provides a valuable tool for the detailed morphological investigation of astrocytes.
Suzuki
Ryusuke
R
Department of Anatomy, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan.
Watanabe
Jun
J
Arata
Satoru
S
Funahashi
Hisayuki
H
Kikuyama
Sakae
S
Shioda
Seiji
S
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000235:genetics; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins