Sftpc-MerCreMer Mouse

The SFTPC gene encodes surfactant protein C (SP-C), one of the four key proteins in surfactant. Surfactant is a mixture of lipids and proteins that coats the lung tissue, making breathing easier. Surfactant is secreted by alveolar cells and maintains the stability of the lung tissue by reducing the surface tension of the fluid that covers the lung. In addition, SP-C is involved in lung development and function, including alveolar septation, airway remodeling, and immune defense. The SFTPC gene is primarily expressed in the lung, with the highest expression in the lower lobe, right lung, upper lobe, left upper lobe, and visceral pleura. It is also expressed at low levels in other tissues. Type II alveolar cells are responsible for the production and secretion of surfactants. Therefore, the SFTPC gene is primarily expressed in these cells and can be used as a specific marker for these cells.

Sftpc-MerCreMer mice were generated to integrate the tamoxifen-inducible MerCreMer recombinase expression element into the 3’UTR of the mouse Sftpc gene. This mimics the expression pattern of the endogenous gene while maintaining Sftpc expression. When bred with mice carrying a loxP site-flanked sequence, Cre recombinase-mediated recombination of the flanked sequence occurs in type II alveolar cells, following tamoxifen induction.