Spatial and temporal tracking of cardiac exosomes in mouse using a nano-luciferase-CD63 fusion protein

Commun Biol. 2020 Mar 10;3(1):114. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-0830-7.

Abstract

Exosomes are secreted extracellular vesicles with lipid bilayer membranes. They are emerging as a new category of messengers that facilitate cross-talk between cells, tissues, and organs. Thus, a critical demand arises for the development of a sensitive and non-invasive tracking system for endogenous exosomes. We have generated a genetic mouse model that meets this goal. The Nano-luciferase (NanoLuc) reporter was fused with the exosome surface marker CD63 for exosome labeling. The cardiomyocyte-specific αMHC promoter followed by the loxP-STOP-loxP cassette was engineered for temporal and spatial labeling of exosomes originated from cardiomyocytes. The transgenic mouse was bred with a tamoxifen-inducible Cre mouse (Rosa26Cre-ERT2) to achieve inducible expression of CD63NanoLuc reporter. The specific labeling and tissue distribution of endogenous exosomes released from cardiomyocytes were demonstrated by luciferase assay and non-invasive bioluminescent live imaging. This endogenous exosome tracking mouse provides a useful tool for a range of research applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Exosomes / ultrastructure
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / ultrastructure
  • Integrases / genetics
  • Integrases / metabolism
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Luciferases / metabolism*
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / ultrastructure
  • Myosin Heavy Chains / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Tetraspanin 30 / genetics
  • Tetraspanin 30 / metabolism*
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Gt(ROSA)26Sor non-coding RNA, mouse
  • Myh6 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Tetraspanin 30
  • Luciferases
  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases
  • Myosin Heavy Chains