Trem2 KO Mice

Catalog Number: C001207

Strain Name: C57BL/6NCya-Trem2^em1/Cya

Genetic Background: C57BL/6NCya

Reproduction: Homozygote x Homozygote

Strain Description

The Trem2 gene encodes the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2), a transmembrane protein produced by microglia in the brain, primarily regulating the survival and activation of these cells. This protein forms a receptor signaling complex by binding to the adaptor protein Dap-12 and recruiting various factors such as kinases and phospholipase C-γ, thereby activating myeloid cells, including dendritic cells and microglia. Mutations in the Trem2 gene are associated with neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Research has found that the absence of the Trem2 gene leads to the onset of Nasu-Hakola disease (also known as polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy), a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease characterized by fractures and early-onset frontotemporal dementia. In addition, certain variants may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

This strain is a mouse model with the Trem2 gene knocked out, which can be used to study the biological consequences of TREM2 functional loss. It can also be crossed with transgenic mice related to APP and tau proteins to study the impact of TREM2 functional loss in the context of amyloid degeneration and tau pathology. Homozygous Trem2 KO mice are viable and fertile.

Strain Strategy

 The mouse Trem2 gene is located on chromosome 17, and Exon 2~3 of this gene was knocked out using gene editing techniques.

Application

• Research on the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases;
• Studies on the impact of immune responses and inflammation on the nervous system;
• Screening and evaluation of potential drugs targeting Trem2 or its pathway;
• Research on the genetic mechanisms of diseases such as Nasu-Hakola disease;
• Studies on amyloid degeneration and tau protein pathology.

Publications

[1] Xue T, Ji J, Sun Y, Huang X, Cai Z, Yang J, Guo W, Guo R, Cheng H, Sun X. Sphingosine-1-phosphate, a novel TREM2 ligand, promotes microglial phagocytosis to protect against ischemic brain injury. Acta Pharm Sin B. 2022 Apr;12(4):1885-1898.

[2] Liu H, Zhang L, Liu Z, Lin J, He X, Wu S, Qin Y, Zhao C, Guo Y, Lin F. Galectin-3 as TREM2 upstream factor contributes to lung ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating macrophage polarization. iScience. 2023 Jul 28;26(9):107496.