Figure 1

The oLucR mouse model shows CNS-specific in vivo bioluminescence. (a) ODC-specific expression of luciferase is achieved by crossing a Cre-inducible luciferase reporter mouse (left) to the MOGi-cre strain. (b) EYFP⁺ cells were sorted and stained with CC1-, GFP-, Iba1-, and PLP-specific antibodies following cytospin. Microglia/macrophage cells were excluded by positive CD45 and CD11b staining. Dead cells were excluded by Aqua Live/Dead staining reagent (Life Technologies). (c) Kinetics of photon emission acquired with an IVIS camera in anesthetized oLucR animals following intraperitoneal injection of 150 ng/kg of D-luciferin (mean ± SEM, n = 8). (d) In vivo bioluminescence recorded in a representative oLucR mouse (left) and a control LucR animal where the STOP codon impedes luciferase expression (right). Shown in red are the specific regions of interest (ROIs) for signal acquisition. (e) The CNS from oLucR mice of the indicated ages were homogenized and analyzed in a luminometer assay. Photon emission of the lysates is shown (mean ± SEM, n = 3). (f) oLucR mice were injected with luciferin every 3 days and bioluminescence recorded from specific brain and spinal cord ROIs over the course of 36 days (mean ± SEM, n = 4).