Ctse^129S/SvHsd

This variant confers at least 8-fold greater expression of cathepsin E mRNA in spleen and of CTSE protein in spleen-derived leukocytes, as determined by semiquantitative PCR and immunoblot analysis, respectively, than does the C57BL/6JOlaHsd variant. Flow cytometry combining cell-surface markers with intracellular detection of CTSE demonstrates >80% higher CTSE Median Fluorescent Intensity (MFI) in B and T lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells from spleens of 129S/SvHsd than of C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice. High and low expression levels segregate with homozygosity for the 129S/SvHsd and for the C57BL/6JOlsHsd Ctse variant (genotyped based on an SspI RFLP due to a SNP in intron 5), respectively, in F2 progeny of intercrosses between these two strains. (J:128538)