The Experimental Mouse Resources Core (EMRC) for the Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology (CCEH) at Indiana University provides CCEH investigators advanced resources for conducting in vivo studies of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell function. The ERMC is designed to work in concert with other CCEH centers and investigators nationwide on studies focused on murine and human transplantation models. The EMRC provides the following infrastructure and expertise:
Investigations of human and murine hematopoiesis in vivo. For investigations focused on human hematopoiesis, colonies of NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/J (NSG) and NOD.Cg-Ragtm1MomIl2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ and (NRG) immunodeficient mice are available. In anticipation of future needs, a starter colony of the triple transgenic NSG-SGM3 (NSGS) mice that express human IL3, GM-CSF and SCF has been established and can be expanded as needed. Breeding colonies of C57/BL/6J, B6.SJL-Ptprca Pepcb/BoyJ (Boy/J), and the BoyJ x C57BL/6J (F1 cross) mouse strains are also available. The F1 cross is a unique strain and is not commercially available. Congenic mouse strains allow for simultaneous tracking of donor, competitor, and recipient cells. Specialized core services and consultation to CCEH investigators. As requested, the EMRC personnel will conduct irradiations, transplantations, serial sampling of peripheral blood, and compound dosing. The Core will harvest and provide tissues from transplanted mice to investigators for detailed analysis by the CCEH Flow and Tissue Cytometry Core. The ERMC will work closely with the Hypoxia Core to coordinate transplant of mouse and human HSPC collected and processed under hypoxia versus ambient air (Mantel et al., Cell 2015). The EMRC Director will coordinate with Core personnel all procedures, experimental design, methodology, and data interpretation. Expertise and infrastructure are in place to facilitate all aspects of BMT studies seamlessly for on-site CCEH members as well as PIs on a national level.
Recent Publications Utilizing the Core
Shao et al. The neurotransmitter receptor Gabbr1 regulates proliferation and function of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. 2021. Blood 137:775-787 (funded through CCEH enhancement funds to Dr. Owen Tamplin, University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Capitano et al., The IL-33 Receptor/ST2 acts as a positive regulator of functional mouse bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. 2020. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 84:102435
Capitano et al., Secreted nuclear protein DEK regulates hematopoiesis through CXCR2 signaling. 2019. JCI 129:2555-2570.
Educational resource for CCEH laboratories. Exceptional connectivity between the EMRC and the other biomedical cores as well as the Enrichment core will augment the research and training activities of the CCEH membership and their trainees. The ERMC will participate in the annual hands-on summer workshop focused on basic nonmalignant hematology assays and analyses (Summer 2022).