| First Author | Rikimaru A | Year | 2007 |
| Journal | Genes Cells | Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 9 | Pages | 1091-100 |
| PubMed ID | 17825051 | Mgi Jnum | J:132553 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3776229 | Doi | 10.1111/j.1365-2443.2007.01110.x |
| Citation | Rikimaru A, et al. (2007) Establishment of an MT4-MMP-deficient mouse strain representing an efficient tracking system for MT4-MMP/MMP-17 expression in vivo using beta-galactosidase. Genes Cells 12(9):1091-100 |
| abstractText | The biological functions of membrane-type 4 matrix metalloproteinase (MT4-MMP/MMP-17) are poorly understood because of the lack of a sensitive system for tracking its expression in vivo. We established a mutant mouse strain (Mt4-mmp(-/-)) in which Mt4-mmp was replaced with a reporter gene encoding beta-galactosidase (LacZ). Mt4-mmp(-/-) mice had normal gestations, and no apparent defects in growth, life span and fertility. Using LacZ as a marker, we were able to monitor the expression and promoter activity of Mt4-mmp for the first time in vivo. The tissue distribution of Mt4-mmp mRNA correlated with LacZ expression, and we showed that Mt4-mmp is expressed primarily in cerebrum, lung, spleen, intestine and uterus. We identified LacZ-positive neurons in the cerebrum, smooth muscle cells in the intestine and uterus, and macrophages located in the lung alveolar or intraperitoneal space. Contrary to the reported role of MT4-MMP as a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) sheddase, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced release of TNF-alpha from Mt4-mmp(-/-)macrophages was similar to that in wild-type cells, and expression of Mt4-mmp mRNA was repressed following LPS stimulation. Thus, we have established a mutant mouse strain for analyzing the physiological functions of MT4-MMP, which also serves as a sensitive system for monitoring and tracking the expression of MT4-MMP in vivo. |
