title: Expression Analysis of CB2-GFP BAC Transgenic Mice.
abstract: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a retrograde messenger system, consisting of lipid signaling molecules that bind to at least two G-protein-coupled receptors, Cannabinoid receptor 1 and 2 (CB1 and 2). As CB2 is primarily expressed on immune cells such as B cells, T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and microglia, it is of great interest how CB2 contributes to immune cell development and function in health and disease. Here, understanding the mechanisms of CB2 involvement in immune-cell function as well as the trafficking and regulation of CB2 expressing cells are crucial issues. Up to now, CB2 antibodies produce unclear results, especially those targeting the murine protein. Therefore, we have generated BAC transgenic GFP reporter mice (CB2-GFPTg) to trace CB2 expression in vitro and in situ. Those mice express GFP under the CB2 promoter and display GFP expression paralleling CB2 expression on the transcript level in spleen, thymus and brain tissue. Furthermore, by using fluorescence techniques we show that the major sources for GFP-CB2 expression are B cells in spleen and blood and microglia in the brain. This novel CB2-GFP transgenic reporter mouse line represents a powerful resource to study CB2 expression in different cell types. Furthermore, it could be used for analyzing CB2-mediated mobilization and trafficking of immune cells as well as studying the fate of recruited immune cells in models of acute and chronic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne-Caroline
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Schmöle
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Ramona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lundt
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gennequin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schrage
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beins
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krämer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Till
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Limmer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: David-Marian
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Otte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D022202:Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C571431:Cnr2 protein, mouse; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins