Generation and characterization of a Meflin-CreERT2 transgenic line for lineage tracing in white adipose tissue

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 24;16(3):e0248267. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248267. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Meflin (Islr) expression has gained attention as a marker for mesenchymal stem cells, but its function remains largely unexplored. Here, we report the generation of Meflin-CreERT2 mice with CreERT2 inserted under the Meflin gene promoter to label Meflin-expressing cells genetically, thereby enabling their lineages to be traced. We found that in adult mice, Meflin-expressing lineage cells were present in adipose tissue stroma and had differentiated into mature adipocytes. These cells constituted Crown-like structures in the adipose tissue of mice after high-fat diet loading. Cold stimulation led to the differentiation of Meflin-expressing lineage cells into beige adipocytes. Thus, the Meflin-CreERT2 mouse line is a useful new tool for visualizing and tracking the lineage of Meflin-expressing cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue, White* / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue, White* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage
  • Gene Expression
  • Immunoglobulins* / genetics
  • Immunoglobulins* / metabolism
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins
  • Islr protein, mouse

Grants and funding

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research(B)(20H03730; https://www.jsps.go.jp/j-grantsinaid/index.html), Firstbank of toyama scholarship foundation reserch grant (https://www.first-bank.co.jp/outline/local), the Mitsubishi foundation (201910031:https://www.mitsubishi-zaidan.jp), the Naito Foundation (https://www.naito-f.or.jp/jp/index.php),Grant from Japan Diabetes Foundation(http://www.j-df.or.jp), the Uehara Memorial Foundation (https://www.ueharazaidan.or.jp) to KT. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.