Non-invasive visualization of epidermal responses to injury using a fluorescent transgenic reporter.
We describe transgenic mice in which expression of a reporter, the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), is locally activated in epidermal cells at sites of injury. YFP is detectable a day after injury; its levels peak within 3 d, and then decline over the subsequent week. Expression is also activated by a chemical irritant, and is suppressed by topical administration of hydrocortisone. These mice permit non-invasive time-lapse monitoring of responses to injury in vivo. They can be used to detect epidermal activation and to test agents that may provoke or attenuate epidermal responses.
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Y Albert
YA
Pan
Joshua R
JR
Sanes
D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; C054562:yellow fluorescent protein, Bacteria