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Generation of Transgenic Rats using a Lentiviral Vector Approach
Published on: May 17, 2020
Transgenic rabbit production with simian immunodeficiency virus-derived lentiviral vector
L Hiripi1, D Negre, F-L Cosset
1Genetic Modification Program Group, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, P.O.B. 411, 2100, Gödöllo, Hungary.
Transgenic Research
|January 14, 2010
Summary
Lentiviral transgenesis offers a new method for creating genetically modified rabbits, improving disease modeling for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular conditions. This technique enables accurate human physiological and pathological state replication in laboratory animals.
Area of Science:
- Animal genetics
- Molecular biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Transgenic rabbits are valuable models for atherosclerosis, lipoprotein metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases due to their human-like physiology.
- Conventional transgenesis in rabbits suffers from low efficiency, and the lack of pluripotent embryonic stem cells hinders targeted gene modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt lentiviral transgenesis for efficient genetic modification in laboratory rabbits.
- To establish a viable alternative to conventional methods for creating transgenic rabbit models.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a simian immunodeficiency virus-based replication-defective lentiviral vector.
- Injected the vector into the perivitelline space of fertilized rabbit oocytes.
- Introduced the enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene under the CAG promoter.
Main Results:
- Transgenic founder rabbits exhibited mosaic GFP expression patterns.
- Transgene integration and expression were observed in tissues from all three primary germ layers.
- Germline transmission of the transgene was detected without epigenetic silencing, although at a low frequency.
Conclusions:
- Lentiviral transgenesis is a feasible and viable method for creating genetically modified laboratory rabbits.
- This approach overcomes limitations of conventional transgenesis, enhancing the utility of rabbits in disease modeling and biomedical research.
