肾小管上皮细胞C/EBPα条件性敲除小鼠的构建及鉴定
Generation and identification of renal tubular epithelial cell C/EBPα conditional knockout mice

目的·构建肾小管上皮细胞C/EBPα条件性敲除小鼠，并进行表型鉴定，为进一步研究C/EBPα在肾间质纤维化中的作用奠定基础。方法·利用C/EBPαflox/flox和pepck-Cre+转基因小鼠进行饲养和杂交；将繁殖产生的第1代小鼠再次进行交配，得到第2代小鼠。通过PCR鉴定出基因型为C/EBPαflox/flox.pepck-Cre+的小鼠（C/EBPα-/-小鼠）。采用RT-qPCR及免疫组织化学法分别检测肾组织中C/EBPα mRNA和蛋白表达水平。应用H-E染色、Masson染色观察6~8周龄C/EBPα-/-小鼠及野生型（WT）小鼠肾脏组织形态学改变。结果·2种转基因小鼠繁殖产生的第2代小鼠基因型符合孟德尔遗传定律，交配后获得C/EBPα-/-小鼠。与WT小鼠相比，C/EBPα-/-小鼠肾脏中C/EBPα mRNA及蛋白表达水平下降，光学显微镜下肾脏组织形态无明显改变。结论·应用Cre-loxp系统可以成功地敲除小鼠肾小管上皮细胞中C/EBPα基因，且在基础情况下C/EBPα-/-小鼠肾脏组织无明显形态学改变。
： Objective·To generate renal tubular epithelial cell C/EBPα conditional knockout mice, perform phenotypic identification, and lay a foundation for further study on the role of C/EBPα in renal interstitial fibrosis.Methods·C/EBPαflox/flox and pepck-Cre+ transgenic mice were bred and hybridized.The first generation offspring were mated to reproduce the second generation. Mice with C/EBPαflox/flox.pepck-Cre+ genotype (C/EBPα-/- mice) were identified using PCR. The mRNA and protein expressions of C/EBPα in renal tissues were measured using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry staining. The morphologic changes in renal tissues of C/EBPα-/- mice and wide type (WT) mice aged 6-8 weeks were observed using H-E staining and Masson staining.Results·The genotype of the second generation offspring of two types of transgenic mice accorded with the Mendelian laws and C/EBPα-/- mice were generated. C/EBPα-/- mice had lower mRNA and protein expressions of C/EBPα in renal tissues and no significant renal morphologic changes compared with WT mice.Conclusion·Cre-loxp system can successfully knock out the C/EBPα gene in mouse renal tubular epithelial cells. C/EBPα-/- mice have no significant renal morphologic changes in baseline condition