Abstract 442: Generation of an Abcg1 Knock Out Mouse on the Reversa Background

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Background: Clinically HDL mediated reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) from macrophages has been shown to be inversely associated with carotid intima media thickness. Cholesterol efflux to mature HDL is mediated by ATP binding cassette transporter G1 (Abcg1). Abcg1 pays a key role in cholesterol transport with loss of function in macrophages and endothelial cells associated with significant cholesterol accumulation. However, mechanistic studies into the role of Abgc1 in plaque regression have been restricted due to the limitations of current regression models. Aims: To use TALENS mediated genomic editing to generate an Abcg1 knockout mouse on the REVERSA background to enable the investigation of its role in plaque regression. Methods and results: TALENs constructs were targeted to exon 3 upstream of the phosphate binding Walker A domain. TALEN mRNA was injected into REVERSA oocytes which were then implanted into foster mice. Founders were screened by Cel1 nuclease assay and sequencing. Three independent alleles were identified two of which create frameshift mutations (predicted to be null alleles) and one which resulted in a 3 amino acid deletion and a one amino acid substitution near the Walker A domain (potential hypomorphic allele). The two founder lines with frame shift mutations (KO 145 and 171) were taken forward for additional analysis. RNA extracted from primary macrophages from WT (REVERSA) and homozygous Abcg1 knockout mice was used to confirm the mutation was transcribed to RNA. Intron-spanning primers were designed and a product of the expected size was obtained and sequence analysis confirmed the insertion (KO-145) and deletion (KO-171) within the WALKER A domain of Abcg1. To ensure the mutations resulted in loss of function, a radioactive RCT assay was carried out in bone marrow derived primary macrophages. A significant decrease in RCT to HDL was observed in macrophages from both the KO-145 and KO-171 lines as expected there was no difference in RCT to ApoA1-I. Conclusions: Using genomic editing we have generated a gene specific knockout on the REVERSA background which will enable, for the first time, the investigation of the role of Abcg1 in plaque regression.