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GFP-Transgenic Animals for In Vivo Imaging: Rats, Rabbits, and Pigs

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In Vivo Cellular Imaging Using Fluorescent Proteins

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 872))

Abstract

Specifically, gene-encoded biological probes serve as stable and high-performance tools to visualize cellular fate in living animals. The rat, as with the mouse, has offered important animal models for biology and medical research, and has provided a wealth of physiological and pharmacological data. The larger-body animals, in comparison to the mouse have allowed the application of various physiological and surgical manipulations that may prove to have biological significance. We have further extended the techniques of genetic engineering to rats, rabbits, and pigs, and have created corresponding GFP-transgenic animals. The GFP-positive organs of these animals provide valuable sensors in preclinical settings for cell therapy and transplantation studies. In this chapter, we highlight expression profiles in these animal resources and describe examples of preclinical applications.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Drs. Yoji Hakamata (Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan) and Masafumi Takahashi (Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan) for contribution to the transgenic rat project, Dr. Tatsuo Kawarasaki (Tokai University, Kumamoto, Japan) for generation of the GFP-transgenic pig, and Drs. Masatsugu Ueda and Ri-ichi Takahashi for creation of the transgenic rat and rabbit (PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., Tochigi, Japan). This study was supported by a research grant from the “Strategic Research Platform” Project for Private Universities: matching fund subsidy from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan, and by a grant from the Health and Labor Science Research Grants from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, Gunma, Japan

    Takashi Murakami

  2. Division of Development of Advanced Treatment, Center for Development of Advanced Medical Technology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan

    Eiji Kobayashi

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  1. Takashi Murakami
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  2. Eiji Kobayashi
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Correspondence to Eiji Kobayashi .

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  1. AntiCancer, Inc., Ostrow Street 7917, San Diego, 92111, California, USA

    Robert M. Hoffman

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Murakami, T., Kobayashi, E. (2012). GFP-Transgenic Animals for In Vivo Imaging: Rats, Rabbits, and Pigs. In: Hoffman, R. (eds) In Vivo Cellular Imaging Using Fluorescent Proteins. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 872. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-797-2_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-797-2_12

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