The contribution of the Tie2+ lineage to primitive and definitive hematopoietic cells

Y Tang, A Harrington, X Yang, RE Friesel, L Liaw - genesis, 2010 - Wiley Online Library
Y Tang, A Harrington, X Yang, RE Friesel, L Liaw
genesis, 2010Wiley Online Library
The regulatory elements of the Tie2/Tek promoter are commonly used in mouse models to
direct transgene expression to endothelial cells. Tunica intima endothelial kinase 2 (Tie2) is
also expressed in hematopoietic cells, although this has not been fully characterized. We
determine the lineages of adult hematopoietic cells derived from Tie2‐expressing
populations using Tie2‐Cre; Rosa26R‐EYFP mice. In Tie2‐Cre; Rosa26R‐EYFP mice,
analysis of bone marrow cells showed Cre‐mediated recombination in 85% of the …
Abstract
The regulatory elements of the Tie2/Tek promoter are commonly used in mouse models to direct transgene expression to endothelial cells. Tunica intima endothelial kinase 2 (Tie2) is also expressed in hematopoietic cells, although this has not been fully characterized. We determine the lineages of adult hematopoietic cells derived from Tie2‐expressing populations using Tie2‐Cre;Rosa26R‐EYFP mice. In Tie2‐Cre;Rosa26R‐EYFP mice, analysis of bone marrow cells showed Cre‐mediated recombination in 85% of the population. In adult bone marrow and spleen, we analyzed subclasses of early hematopoietic progenitors, T cells, monocytes, granulocytes, and B cells. We found that ∼ 84% of each lineage was EYFP+, and nearly all cells that come from Tie2‐expressing lineages are CD45+, confirming widespread contribution to definitive hematopoietic cells. In addition, more than 82% of blood cells within the embryonic yolk sac were of Tie2+ origin. Our findings of high levels of Tie2‐Cre recombination in the hematopoietic lineage have implications for the use of the Tie2‐Cre mouse as a lineage‐restricted driver strain. genesis 48:563–567, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
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