• B-Cd11c-EGFP-DTR-Luc mice have the mouse Itgax (Cd11c) promoter to determine the expression of DTR (Diphtheria toxin receptor), EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) and luciferase.
• DCs will be traced by EGFP or Luciferase reporting system in B-Cd11c-EGFP-DTR-Luc mice.
• DCs will be depleted in B-Cd11c-EGFP-DTR-Luc mice injected with DT (diphtheria toxin).
• The mice can be used to study the origin of mononuclear phagocytes and the specific role of DCs in immune response.

Gene targeting strategy for B-Cd11c EGFP-DTR-Luc mice. CD11c co-express EGFP,  the DTR for depletion of DCs, and the luciferase for in vivo bioluminescent imaging (BLI) of DCs. EGFP-DTR-Luc expression is evident in CD11c+ cells.

Frequencies of EGFP+ cells and DCs in spleen by flow cytometry. Splenocytes were isolated from wild-type C57BL/6 mice (+/+) and heterozygous B-Cd11c-EGFP-DTR-Luc mice (Mut/+) (n=3, 6-8-week-old) injected with PBS or DT (50 ng/g body weight) for two consecutive days. Flow cytometry analysis of the splenocytes was performed to assess the frequencies of EGFP+ cells and DCs. The frequencies of EGFP+ cells and DCs were decreased in heterozygous mice injected with DT.

Frequency of leukocyte subpopulations in spleen by flow cytometry. Splenocytes were isolated from wild-type C57BL/6 mice (+/+) and heterozygous B-Cd11c-EGFP-DTR-Luc mice (Mut/+) (n=3, 6-8-week-old) injected with PBS or DT (50 ng/g body weight) for two consecutive days. Flow cytometry analysis of the splenocytes was performed to assess the frequency of leukocyte subpopulations. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. Significance was determined by two-way ANOVA test.  *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***p < 0.0001.