Description:
- Research tool for vascular and neurodegenerative diseases
Abstract
USC researchers have developed a novel mouse model where pericytes can be identified and depleted in a spatially- and temporally-controlled manner. This ablation has been validated to replicate the cerebrovascular disease and dementia phenotype. Additionally, this model provides a better method to visualize and isolate pericytes, which will permit more accurate genetic, biochemical, and cellular analyses. This powerful tool will transform how scientists study pericytes and dementia.
Benefit
- The only pericyte-specific Cre mouse model
- Robustly eliminates or induces any gene expression in pericytes
- Enables adult-onset for the first time, mimicking patient symptoms
- Faster generation of behavioral and physiological symptoms compared to other models of pericyte deprivation
Market Application
Pericyte cells are critical to shaping the vascular architecture in the brain, controlling cerebral blood flow, and maintaining the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Their dysfunction is implicated in vascular and neurodegenerative disorders that lead to dementia, which affects over 50 million people worldwide. Unfortunately, a pericyte-specific gene has yet to be identified, impeding the generation of a pericyte-specific Cre mouse line. This greatly hinders cellular and molecular studies that can lead to treatments for dementia.
Publications
"Pericyte loss leads to circulatory failure and pleiotrophin depletion causing neuron loss," Nature Neuroscience, July 2019
Other
- Fully characterized animal model
- Available for exclusive and non-exclusive license
Status: Issued US patent no. 10,342,221