Overview
The CF Animal Models Core provides murine models relevant to cystic fibrosis researchers. During its history, multiple models have been maintained and provided to researchers at a reasonable cost towards helping to address specific aspects of CF.
For general questions regarding the CF Animal Models Core, please email Dina Moustafa. See below for more information about available mouse strains and pricing.
The CF Animal Models Core provides murine models relevant to cystic fibrosis researchers. During its history, multiple models have been maintained and provided to researchers at a reasonable cost towards helping to address specific aspects of CF.
Currently the CF Animal Models Core has 2 murine strains available:
- The gut corrected CFTR knockout mouse (Cftrtm1UncTg(FABPCFTR)1Jaw/J). This mouse is a full CFTR knockout as listed above with the exception that a human CFTR gene has been inserted to be expressed in the gut epithelia. The expression is driven by a fatty acid binding protein-1 (FABP1) promoter. Expression of CFTR in the gut greatly improves viability and does not require the liquid diet intervention. This is the most popular murine model. More information here.
- The Cftrtm1Kth targeted mutation corresponds to the delta 508 mutation in humans. Homozygous mutant mice show an increased mortality within the first month after birth, with ~60% mortality by post-weaning. Those that survive are fertile, but females are poor breeders. Mutant mice are also reduced in size compared to normal wildtype mice. Those that do not survive to adulthood show bowel obstructions, bowel strictures and peritonitis. Lungs, pancreas, gall bladder, male reproductive tract, lacrimal gland, and submandibular glands from homozygous mice appear normal regardless of the survival of the animal. Homozygous mice also show a tissue-specific loss of CFTR transcripts in the intestine. More information here.
The CF Animal Models Core wants to help investigators as much as possible. As such, we are open to other mouse models of CF that may serve the CF research community better. If you have suggestions on other CF mouse models, please contact the Dr. Nael McCarty (namccar@emory.edu).
The core currently has three models available for order:
- Gut-corrected CFTR knockout mouse (Cftrtm1UncTg(FABPCFTR)1Jaw/J)
- Pricing per order: $900
- Cftrtm1Kth targeted mutation corresponds to the Delta 508 mutation in humans
- Pricing per order: $1,500
- Beta-ENaC-transgenic mice
- Pricing order: $1,750
These prices are the minimum cost to provide the following services:
- Assistance in ordering and planning the breeding schedule
- Breeding colony maintenance
- Breeding set up and housing until the mice are handed over to your protocol by DAR staff
- Genotyping through Transnetyx for 2 alleles
- Delivery of mice to DAR Facility of choice
An order will consist of a minimum of 32 mice including 8 KO/mutant, 8 WT, and 16 hets. In order to ensure this minimum delivery based on an 8-pup litter we will always breed an extra pair that will be genotyped and included in the cost, and any extra mice from the breeding setup will be yours.
Price adjustments will be made as needed to ensure proper care and quality as per DAR cost adjustments.
Contact Dina Moustafa (dina.moustafa@emory.edu) if you have further questions.
To learn more about CF mice, please check out www.cfmice.org.
The CF Animal Models Core is generously supported by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University. When presenting or publishing work completed using the core, please include "Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University CF Animal Models Core" in the acknowledgments.
To determine if you should use "Children's Healthcare of Atlanta" in your author affiliations, please see guidelines here.