Tg(CRP-Cast)1Lbau

The transgene construct includes 132 bp of upstream sequence and exon 1 of the human C-reactive protein (CRP) gene through the coding sequence for the 20-amino acid signal peptide followed by the entire coding sequence of the mouse calpastatin (Cast) gene. The CRP promoter drives expression specifically in liver, and inclusion of the signal peptide in the translation product results in secretion of the calpastatin protein into the circulation. While the basal level of calpastatin mRNA in liver is similar in transgenic mice and wild-type littermates, it increases significantly in transgenic, but not in control liver by 6 hr after peritoneal injection of the TLR2-TLR1 ligand Pam3Cys; by 20 hr post-injection the level of calpastatin protein has become significantly elevated in peritoneal fluid of transgenic, but not of control mice. (J:234162)