title: Visualisation of chicken macrophages using transgenic reporter genes: insights into the development of the avian macrophage lineage.
abstract: We have generated the first transgenic chickens in which reporter genes are expressed in a specific immune cell lineage, based upon control elements of the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) locus. The Fms intronic regulatory element (FIRE) within CSF1R is shown to be highly conserved in amniotes and absolutely required for myeloid-restricted expression of fluorescent reporter genes. As in mammals, CSF1R-reporter genes were specifically expressed at high levels in cells of the macrophage lineage and at a much lower level in granulocytes. The cell lineage specificity of reporter gene expression was confirmed by demonstration of coincident expression with the endogenous CSF1R protein. In transgenic birds, expression of the reporter gene provided a defined marker for macrophage-lineage cells, identifying the earliest stages in the yolk sac, throughout embryonic development and in all adult tissues. The reporter genes permit detailed and dynamic visualisation of embryonic chicken macrophages. Chicken embryonic macrophages are not recruited to incisional wounds, but are able to recognise and phagocytose microbial antigens.
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK adam.balic@roslin.ed.ac.uk helen.sang@roslin.ed.ac.uk.
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Balic
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Garcia-Morales
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Lonneke
authors: L
authors: Vervelde
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Hazel
authors: H
authors: Gilhooley
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Adrian
authors: A
authors: Sherman
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Valerie
authors: V
authors: Garceau
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Maria W
authors: MW
authors: Gutowska
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Burt
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Pete
authors: P
authors: Kaiser
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Hume
authors: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK adam.balic@roslin.ed.ac.uk helen.sang@roslin.ed.ac.uk.
authors: Helen M
authors: HM
authors: Sang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001483:Base Sequence; D001717:Birds; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002645:Chickens; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D007107:Immune System; D007438:Introns; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010587:Phagocytosis; D016186:Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity; D019076:Transgenes; D015017:Yolk Sac / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016186:Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
keywords: Chicken; Dendritic cells; Embryonic development; Immunity; Macrophages; Transgenics