Development of an endothelial cell-restricted transgenic reporter rat: a resource for physiological studies of vascular biology

Abstract

The use of transgenic mice has been instrumental in advancing molecular insight of physiological processes, yet these models oftentimes do not faithfully recapitulate human physiology and pathophysiology. Rat models better replicate some human conditions, like Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension. Here, we report the development of an endothelial cell-restricted transgenic reporter rat that has broad application to vascular biology. This first-in-kind model offers exceptional endothelial restricted tdTomato expression, in both conduit vessels and the microcirculations of organs.