Thioredoxin and redox signaling in vasculature-studies using Trx2 endothelium-specific transgenic mice

Increasing evidence supports that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from mitochondria in vasculature significantly contribute to human disease. The mitochondrial antioxidant systems, particularly the redox protein thioredoxin-2 (Trx2), provide a primary line of defense against cellular ROS. Using endothelial cell culture and endothelial cell-specific transgenesis of Trx2 gene in mice, we demonstrate the critical roles of Trx2 in regulating endothelium functions. Here, we describe the methods related to generation and characterization of the Trx2 transgenic mice, and the in vivo functional assays associated with Trx2 activities. These methods could be applied to functional analyses for other redox genes.