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Generation and Characterization of Rat Uterus Organoids from Rat Endometrial Epithelial Stem Cells
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Generation and Characterization of a Rdh1-iCre Line to Study Uterine Glandular Biology
Mana Ohtomo1,2, Shunsuke Takarabe1,2, Takafumi Namiki1
1Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan.
Genesis (New York, N.Y. : 2000)
|July 24, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a new mouse model to study uterine glands. The Rdh1-iCre mouse line enables precise investigation of glandular epithelium function in uterine health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Uterine glands are crucial for mammalian pregnancy and implicated in diseases like endometriosis.
- Retinol dehydrogenase 1 (Rdh1) is specifically expressed in uterine glandular epithelium (GE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate a GE-specific Cre driver mouse line for studying uterine gland function.
- To validate the utility of the Rdh1-iCre mouse model.
Main Methods:
- CRISPR/Cas9 was used to create Rdh1-iCre mice by inserting an improved Cre recombinase (iCre) into the Rdh1 locus.
- Rdh1-iCre mice were crossed with ROSA26-H2B-mCherry reporter mice.
- Cre-dependent reporter expression (mCherry fluorescence) was analyzed in the uterine GE.
Main Results:
- Robust mCherry fluorescence was detected throughout the uterine glands of Rdh1-iCre x ROSA26-H2B-mCherry mice at 2 weeks postpartum.
- Reporter expression coincided with active GE elongation and branching during development.
- The Rdh1-iCre line demonstrated efficient and specific GE targeting.
Conclusions:
- The Rdh1-iCre mouse line is a highly effective tool for studying uterine GE physiology.
- This model will aid research into gland development, pregnancy maintenance, and GE-derived uterine diseases.
