Figure 1
T-lux Transgenic Mouse Model. Shown in (A) is a diagrammatic representation of the CD2.luc transgene. The luc gene is located downstream of the 5 kb promoter region and the intact first intron (in red). The CD2.luc transgene was introduced into single-cell embryos of C57Bl/6 mice by standard transgenesis. Equal numbers of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from potential founder lines were screened for luciferase activity in 96 well plates (B). Numbers in positive wells indicate founder line. Actual light emission results are shown in (C), confirming positivity of founder lines #9, 16, 20, and 23. (D) Whole-body bioluminescence image of a transgenic 'T-lux' mouse. A strong primary lymphoid tissue bioluminescent signal (thymus) and secondary lymphoid tissue signal (spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes (LNs), and peripheral LNs) is seen. Pseudocolor scale is shown to right of image. Lineage specificity of transgene expression was confirmed by FACS sorting of splenocytes into four populations, each containing 1 × 106 cells (E). These populations were: CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B220+ (B cells), and CD4-CD8-B220- (non-T, non-B cells). A representative bioluminescent image of wells containing each sorted cell population is shown below figure.