Technology ID
TAB-2960
Leucine Rich Repeats and Calponin Homology Containing Protein 4 (Lrch4)-deficient Mouse
E-Numbers
E-179-2014-0
Lead Inventor
Fessler, Michael (NIEHS)
Co-Inventors
Aloor, Jim (NIEHS)
Applications
Research Materials
Lead IC
NIEHS
ICs
NIEHS
Leucine rich repeats and calponin homology containing protein 4 (Lrch4) is a gene that encodes a protein predicted to have a C-terminal transmembrane domain, a calponin homology domain, and 5-8 leucine rich repeats (LRRs). We silenced Lrch4 in RAW 264.7 macrophages as well as CD14-MD2-TLR4-HEK293 cells and found that Lrch4 knockdown attenuates responsiveness of cells to LPS and other pathogen-associated molecules. These findings suggest that Lrch4 is a regulator of the innate immune response. In order to facilitate more physiologic in vivo investigations of the function and disease-relevant roles of Lrch4, we produced a Lrch4 ene-deleted mouse. The Lrch4-null mouse will be tested in a wide array of pro-inflammatory and host defense model exposures. In addition, given that our mouse has a floxed Lrch4 allele and that Lrch4 expression is fairly ubiquitous, future tissue-specific Lrch4-deficient murine strains can be generated (e.g., myeloid-specific [LysM-Cre], intestinal epithelial-specific [Villin-Cre], liverspecific [Alb-Crej,etc.). In addition, we have a Lrch4 mouse line with a B-galactosidase construct in the Lrch4 locus Lrch4 Tn1/+, which can be used for expression profiling of Lrch4.
Commercial Applications
- If Lrch4-null mice have an altered phenotype in response to inflammatory challenges, this could create novel opportunities for: 1) development of Lrch4-targeting biologics; 2) development of Lrch4-targeting small molecules; 3) investigation of the relationship of LRCH4 polymorphisms to human disease; and 4) development of potential Lrch4-related biomarkers (eg, leukocyte expression levels of Lrch4). The Lrch4-null mouse line also itself represents a novel research tool that will foreseeably be of wide interest for testing in additional disease models.
Competitive Advantages
- To our knowledge, there are no existing Lrch4-deficient organisms available for experimental study. Thus, our mouse (as well as primary cells that can be harvested from it [macrophages, etc.]) will greatly facilitate mechanistic and translational studies of Lrch4 in the inflammatory response and other pathophysiologic pathways and disease models.
Licensing Contact: