Knockout rats via embryo microinjection of zinc-finger nucleases.

The toolbox of rat genetics currently lacks the ability to introduce site-directed, heritable mutations into the genome to create knockout animals. By using engineered zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) designed to target an integrated reporter and two endogenous rat genes, Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Rab38, we demonstrate that a single injection of DNA or messenger RNA encoding ZFNs into the one-cell rat embryo leads to a high frequency of animals carrying 25 to 100% disruption at the target locus. These mutations are faithfully and efficiently transmitted through the germline. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of targeted gene disruption in multiple rat strains within 4 months time, paving the way to a humanized monoclonal antibody platform and additional human disease models.

Efficient transgenic rat production by a lentiviral vector.

A lentiviral construct for an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) driven by a chicken beta-actin promoter, cytomegalovirus enhancer, and intronic sequences from rabbit beta-globin (CAG) was used to produce transgenic lines of rats for evaluation of the usefulness of this approach in gene function studies. Fertilized eggs were collected from inbred Dahl S and outbred Sprague-Dawley rats, and approximately 100 pl of concentrated virus were microinjected into the perivitrelline space of one-cell embryos. Of 121 embryos injected, 60 pups (49.6%) were born. Transgenic rates averaged 22% in Dahl S and 14% in Sprague-Dawley rats. Copy number ranged from one to four in the founders, and the inheritance of the transgene in a subsequent F(1) population was 48.2%. The small number of insertion sites enabled us to derive inbred transgenic lines with a single copy of the transgene within one generation. Sequencing of each transgene insertion site revealed that they inserted as single copies with a preference for the introns of genes. The CAG promoter drove high levels of eGFP expression in brain, kidney, heart, and vasculature, making it very suitable for exploring the cardiovascular function of newly discovered genes. The pattern of eGFP expression was similar across five different F(1) transgenic lines, indicating that the expression of the transgene was independent of its chromosomal position. Thus lentiviral transgenesis provides a powerful tool for the production of transgenic inbred rats and will enhance the usefulness of this species in gene discovery and target validation studies.

Effect of peripheral axotomy on pain-related behavior and dorsal root ganglion neurons excitability in NPY transgenic rats.

In order to clarify the physiologic role of NPY in sensory processing, we obtained intracellular recordings of DRG neurons from wild type (WT) and NPY overexpressing transgenic rats (NPY-TG) before and after injury. We investigated medium and large diameter DRG neurons since upregulation of NPY peptide following the nerve injury occurs primarily in those cells. Neurons were classified as Aalpha/beta and Adelta using conduction velocity and action potential duration. Prior to the injury, Aalpha/beta neurons of NPY-TG rats conducted more slowly and had a more brief AHP than similar cells from the WT group. Adelta neurons at baseline conducted faster in TG animals compared to WT. Ligation of the 5th lumbar spinal nerve (SNL) produced certain changes in Aalpha/beta cells that were evident only in the TG group. These include increased refractory period, increased input resistance, AHP prolongation and a depolarizing shift in threshold for AP initiation. The expected injury-induced CV slowing was not seen in NPY-TG Aalpha/beta cells. In the Adelta cell group, injury produced a depolarizing shift in the resting membrane potential, an increase in AP duration and decrease in AHP and refractory period duration only in WT rats, while NPY-TG cells lacked these injury-induced changes. Behavior tests showed diminished sensory response to nerve injury in NPY-TG rats, i.e., shorter duration of enhanced pain-related behavior and attenuation of contralateral effect. In conclusion, our observations suggest that NPY overexpression leads to reduced neuronal activity following nerve injury in a cell-specific manner.

Central neuropeptide Y signaling ameliorates N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hypertension in the rat through a Y1 receptor mechanism.

Neuropeptide Y is a potent inhibitory neurotransmitter expressed in the central neurons that control blood pressure. NO also serves as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and its deficit causes sympathetic overactivity, which then contributes to hypertension. This study tested the hypothesis that neuropeptide Y functions as a central neurotransmitter to lower blood pressure, therefore its increased signaling ameliorates hypertension induced by NO deficiency. Conscious neuropeptide Y transgenic male rats, overexpressing the peptide under its natural promoter, and nontransgenic littermates (controls) were used in this study. Neuropeptide Y, Y1 receptor antagonist BIBP3226, or vehicle (saline) were administered continuously for 14 days into the cerebral lateral ventricle in unrestrained animals using osmotic pumps. Blood pressure was measured by radiotelemetry. Compared with control animals, transgenic overexpression of neuropeptide Y significantly ameliorated (by 9.7+/-1.5 mm Hg) NO deficiency hypertension (induced by administration of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in the drinking water). This hypotensive effect of neuropeptide Y upregulation was associated with reduced proteinuria and cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Central administration of neuropeptide Y in nontransgenic rats also reduced (by 10.2+/-1.6 mm Hg) the NO deficiency hypertension, whereas a neuropeptide Y1 receptor antagonist centrally administered in the transgenic subjects during NO deficiency hypertension completely attenuated the depressor effect of neuropeptide Y upregulation. Thus, acting at the level of the central nervous system distinctively via a Y1 receptor-mediated mechanism, endogenous neuropeptide Y exerted a potent antihypertensive function, and its enhanced signaling ameliorated NO deficiency hypertension.

Transgenic rescue demonstrates involvement of the Ian5 gene in T cell development in the rat.

A single point mutation in a novel immune-associated nucleotide gene 5 (Ian5) coincides with severe T cell lymphopenia in BB rats. We used a transgenic rescue approach in lymphopenic BB-derived congenic F344.lyp/lyp rats to determine whether this mutation is responsible for lymphopenia and to establish the functional importance of this novel gene. A 150-kb P1 artificial chromosome (PAC) transgene harboring a wild-type allele of the rat Ian5 gene restored Ian5 transcript and protein levels, completely rescuing the T cell lymphopenia in the F344.lyp/lyp rats. This successful complementation provides direct functional evidence that the Ian5 gene product is essential for maintaining normal T cell levels. It also demonstrates that transgenic rescue in the rat is a practical and definitive method for revealing the function of a novel gene.

Neuropeptide Y induces ischemic angiogenesis and restores function of ischemic skeletal muscles.

Previously we showed that neuropeptide Y (NPY), a sympathetic vasoconstrictor neurotransmitter, stimulates endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro. Here, we report on NPY's actions, receptors, and mediators in ischemic angiogenesis. In rats, hindlimb ischemia stimulates sympathetic NPY release (attenuated by lumbar sympathectomy) and upregulates NPY-Y2 (Y2) receptor and a peptidase forming Y2/Y5-selective agonist. Exogenous NPY at physiological concentrations also induces Y5 receptor, stimulates neovascularization, and restores ischemic muscle blood flow and performance. NPY-mediated ischemic angiogenesis is not prevented by a selective Y1 receptor antagonist but is reduced in Y2(-/-) mice. Nonischemic muscle vascularity is also lower in Y2(-/-) mice, whereas it is increased in NPY-overexpressing rats compared with their WT controls. Ex vivo, NPY-induced aortic sprouting is markedly reduced in Y2(-/-) aortas and spontaneous sprouting is severely impaired in NPY(-/-) mice. NPY-mediated aortic sprouting, but not cell migration/proliferation, is blocked by an antifetal liver kinase 1 antibody and abolished in mice null for eNOS. Thus, NPY mediates neurogenic ischemic angiogenesis at physiological concentrations by activating Y2/Y5 receptors and eNOS, in part due to release of VEGF. NPY's effectiveness in revascularization and restoring function of ischemic tissue suggests its therapeutic potential in ischemic conditions.

Hypotension and reduced catecholamines in neuropeptide Y transgenic rats.

The neurons that control blood pressure express neuropeptide Y. Administered centrally, this neuropeptide reduces blood pressure and anxiety, together with lowering sympathetic outflow. The generation of neuropeptide Y transgenic rats overexpressing this peptide, under its natural promoter, has allowed us to examine the role of endogenous neuropeptide Y in the long-term control of blood pressure by the sympathetic nervous system. This study tested a hypothesis that endogenous neuropeptide Y acts to reduce blood pressure and catecholamine release. Blood pressure was measured by radiotelemetry in conscious male transgenic and nontransgenic littermates (control). Novel cage with cold water and forced swimming were used as stressors. Catecholamines were determined in 24-hour urine (baseline) and plasma (cold water stress) by a radioenzymatic assay. Blood pressures in baseline and during the stresses were significantly reduced in the transgenic rats. The lower blood pressure was associated with reduced catecholamines, lower decrease in pressure after autonomic ganglionic blockade, and increased longevity. Data obtained through the use of this transgenic rat model support and extend the evidence for the previously postulated sympatholytic and hypotensive effects of neuropeptide Y and provide novel evidence for an important physiological role of endogenous peptide in blood pressure regulation. As indicated by the increased longevity of these rats, in long-term regulation, these buffering actions of neuropeptide Y may have important cardiovascular protective effects against sympathetic hyperexcitation.