The ADIPOQ gene-encoded adiponectin is a protein hormone produced exclusively by adipocytes (fat cells). It is transported through the bloodstream to muscle and liver cells. Adiponectin regulates various pathways related to fat storage and metabolism, including the modulation of blood glucose levels, fatty acid breakdown, brown adipocyte differentiation, and negative regulation of gluconeogenesis. By increasing insulin sensitivity and promoting fatty acid breakdown, adiponectin plays a crucial role in regulating glucose and fat metabolism. Additionally, it exhibits direct anti-diabetic, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-inflammatory activities ^[1-2]. The mutation of the ADIPOQ gene is associated with adiponectin deficiency syndrome. Although the ADIPOQ gene is expressed predominantly (or almost exclusively) in adipose tissue, adiponectin, as a secreted hormone, circulates via the bloodstream and is widely distributed in various tissues and organs, including skeletal muscle, liver, intestine, male reproductive glands, and brain, where it exerts its physiological effects through specific receptors (such as AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) ^[3-4]. The Adipoq-P2A-iCre mice are constructed by inserting a codon-improved Cre recombinase (iCre) element into the endogenous Adipoq gene of mice. The expression pattern of iCre recombinase is similar to the endogenous gene. When this strain is crossed with mice containing loxP sites, sequence recombination mediated by the Cre recombinase between loxP sites can occur in the white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of its offspring.

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a lipid particle-associated polymorphic carrier protein encoded by the APOE gene. It is a core component of plasma lipoproteins, participating in the production, transport, and clearance of lipoproteins. ApoE is associated with chylomicrons, chylomicron remnants, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), especially showing preferential binding to HDL ^[1]. ApoE is the most important lipid transport protein in the body, having a profound impact on lipid metabolism. The interaction of ApoE with the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is essential for the normal processing (catabolism) of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins ^[2]. In peripheral tissues, ApoE is primarily produced by the liver and macrophages and mediates cholesterol metabolism. In the central nervous system, ApoE is produced mainly by astrocytes and is the major cholesterol carrier in the brain. ApoE is essential for transporting cholesterol from astrocytes to neurons ^[1-4]. In addition, ApoE forms a complex with activated C1q, becoming a checkpoint inhibitor target of the classical complement pathway ^[5]. Polymorphisms of the APOE are associated with Alzheimer's disease and lipid accumulation, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, high cholesterolemia, etc., and are related to the risk of various cardiovascular diseases. The Apoe-KO(6J) mouse is a model of ApoE deficiency. It was generated by gene editing technology to knock out the Apoe gene in mice. ApoE protein synthesis is blocked in these mice, leading to elevated cholesterol levels and spontaneous atherosclerosis. Cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) are further exacerbated. The Apoe-KO(6J) mice are viable and can be used for research in hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.

The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene is a tumor suppressor gene, the protein it encodes plays a key regulatory role in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway ^[1]. The APC protein can antagonize the Wnt signaling pathway, assisting in regulating cell migration, adhesion, transcriptional activation, and apoptosis. More than 10% of human tumors have mutations in the APC gene, and most colorectal cancers have mutations in the APC gene ^[2]. Defects in the APC gene lead to the occurrence of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), characterized by hundreds to thousands of adenomatous polyps in the rectum. This is an autosomal dominant precancerous disease, which usually develops into malignant tumors ^[1-2]. Disease-related mutations in the APC gene are highly prevalent in a small region known as the mutation cluster region (MCR), which usually leads to the production of truncated proteins ^[3-4]. In mice, either Apc gene deletion or multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mutations that result in the production of truncated APC proteins cause phenotypes similar to human familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and/or colorectal tumors ^[5-9]. The Apc-KO mouse is a research model constructed by using gene editing technology to knock out the sequence in the mouse Apc gene that contains the mutation cluster region (MCR), and this strain is homozygous lethal. Heterozygous Apc-KO mice can spontaneously develop intestinal adenomas and exhibit significant colorectal cancer disease phenotypes in various aspects such as survival, growth, food intake, and intestinal lesions. Therefore, Apc-KO mice can be used for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and colorectal cancer and other tumors or tumor-related diseases, as well as the study of the regulatory mechanism of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

The P2A-3xSV40 NLS-mScarlet cassette was inserted upstream of TGA stop codon. Nuclear-localized mScarlet is expressed under the regulatory control of Alpl gene elements in this mouse model. This localization is achieved through the Nuclear Localization Signal (NLS), which efficiently targets mScarlet to the cell nucleus. This enables mScarlet fluorescence protein nuclear tracing studies.

The ALPL gene encodes for the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) enzyme, a membrane-bound glycoprotein. This enzyme is expressed in a variety of cellular tissues, most notably in the liver, bone, and kidney, as well as in other areas like teeth and mesenchymal stem cells ^[1]. Its primary function is to act as a hydrolase, removing phosphate groups from molecules. This is a critical function for skeletal and dental mineralization, where it hydrolyzes inorganic pyrophosphate (a mineralization inhibitor) into phosphate, which then combines with calcium to form bone ^[2]. Mutations in the ALPL gene lead to hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare inherited metabolic disease characterized by defective bone and tooth mineralization, rickets, osteomalacia, and in severe cases, seizures and respiratory complications. The severity of HPP varies, ranging from mild forms with dental issues to life-threatening perinatal forms ^[3]. Variations in the ALPL gene may also be associated with other diseases, such as osteoporosis. Research has found a high frequency of homozygous common ALPL gene variants in adult patients with atypical femoral fractures or with biochemical/clinical signs of hypophosphatasia (HPP). This suggests that variations in the ALPL gene may be linked to an increased risk of these fractures ^[4]. Furthermore, the expression and function of the ALPL gene may be relevant to cancer immunotherapy. Studies have shown that an alkaline phosphatase isoform, known as ALPL-1, is highly expressed in osteosarcoma (OS) ^[5]. The Alpl-KO mouse is a knockout (KO) model in which the exon 3~4 of the Alpl gene (homologous to the human ALPL gene) has been deleted via gene-editing technology. Preliminary validation data indicate that homozygous Alpl-KO mice have a short lifespan, dying within four weeks when given a specialized diet. If they are not provided with this dietary support, no surviving homozygous individuals are obtained. This model can be used to study the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases such as hypophosphatasia (HPP), osteoporosis, and osteosarcoma (OS), and to provide a basis for developing related therapeutic strategies.

The Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5) gene encodes 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO), a key member of the fatty acid oxidase gene family. 5-LO is one of the crucial enzymes in the metabolic pathway of arachidonic acid (AA), an essential fatty acid in humans. It catalyzes the conversion of AA into leukotrienes (LTs), which are important mediators of various inflammatory and allergic diseases. ALOX5 is specifically expressed in bone marrow-derived cells and is significantly upregulated in myeloid leukemia stem cells, playing a pivotal role in the development of myeloid leukemia. Mutations in the promoter region of this gene weaken the response to leukotriene antagonists used for asthma treatment and are also associated with atherosclerosis and some cancers. Multiple splice variants encoding different isoforms have been identified for this gene. This strain is a mouse Alox5 gene deletion model, achieved by using gene editing technology to knock out the homologous gene of human ALOX5 in mice. According to literature reports, these mice exhibit increased total adipose tissue weight, plasma VLDL/LDL cholesterol, and bone mineral density. Their spleens are typically smaller than those of wild-type mice, and they exhibit reduced inflammatory responses and abnormalities in immunophysiology^[1-3]. These homozygous Alox5-KO mice are viable and fertile.

The AGXT gene, mapping to chromosome 2q37.3, encodes alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent homotetrameric enzyme predominantly expressed in hepatic peroxisomes ^[1]. AGT is central to glyoxylate metabolism, catalyzing its transamination to glycine and preventing its oxidation to oxalate ^[1]. Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1 (PH1), a rare autosomal recessive disorder affecting approximately 1-3 per million individuals, arises from over 175 identified pathogenic mutations in AGXT. These mutations typically result in deficient or mislocalized AGT, leading to marked overproduction of oxalate ^[2]. The ensuing hyperoxaluria causes deposition of calcium oxalate in the kidneys, manifesting as nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis, which can progress to end-stage renal disease ^[3]. In severe cases, systemic oxalosis can occur ^[4]. Agxt-deficient mice serve as critical preclinical models, faithfully mirroring the biochemical and pathological features of PH1 and enabling the evaluation of diverse therapeutic modalities, including enzyme replacement, substrate reduction, and gene therapy. The Agxt-KO mouse is a gene knockout model created using gene-editing techniques to knock out the coding sequence of the Agxt gene (the homolog of the human AGXT gene) in mice. This model is used to research the pathogenic mechanisms of primary hyperoxaluria and develop related therapeutic strategies.

Interferons (IFNs) are potent cytokines that serve as a critical component of the body's first line of defense against viral infections, playing a key role in inflammation and immune control by directly inducing pathogen-inhibiting molecules that suppress viral replication ^[1]. Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) like Dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and Yellow Fever virus (YFV) encode proteins that antagonize the IFN response, helping these viruses evade host immunity and maintain sufficient viral loads in the blood (viremia) to sustain the vector-host transmission. Arboviruses pose a significant public health threat, affecting around 3.9 billion people in tropical and subtropical regions. However, most preclinical studies suggest that arboviruses cannot inhibit IFN responses in mice, rendering immunocompetent mice resistant to infection, with low viral loads and limited circulation, thus limiting their use in infection research ^[2-3]. As a result, immunodeficient mouse models with defects in multiple IFN signaling pathways have become essential tools for studying arbovirus pathogenesis and vaccine development ^[2-4]. Studies have demonstrated that wild-type mice of strains like C57BL/6, CD-1, or 129 rarely exhibit clinical symptoms after infection with arboviruses such as ZIKV. However, the virus has been detected in the blood, ovaries, and spleen of ZIKV-infected 129 mice, suggesting that this strain may be more susceptible to arboviruses ^[5-6]. Because the virus can persist in the bloodstream without causing disease or death, the 129 strain can be used to evaluate the teratogenic effects of such viruses. Furthermore, the 129 strain is commonly used in interferon signaling-deficient models related to other viral infections ^[7-8]. The IFNAR1 gene encodes a key component of the type I IFN receptor, while the IFNGR1 gene encodes the ligand-binding chain (α) of the type II (γ) IFN receptor. AG129(IFNα/β/γR-DKO) mice, which are knockout models for both the type I (α/β) IFN receptor (Ifnar1) and the type II (γ) IFN receptor (Ifngr1), lack functional IFNAR1 and IFNGR1 proteins, resulting in deficiencies in α/β/γ interferon receptor signaling and heightened susceptibility to viral infections. Homozygous AG129(IFNα/β/γR-DKO) mice are viable and fertile, and exhibit increased sensitivity to arboviral infections, generating viremia similar to that seen in humans. Compared to IFNα/β/γR KO mice on the C57BL/6 background, the 129-background AG129(IFNα/β/γR-DKO) mice exhibit more pronounced neurological symptoms after infection ^[6,9].

Polycystin-1 (PC1), encoded by the PKD1 gene, is a large transmembrane glycoprotein that orchestrates critical cellular processes—including cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions, calcium signaling, and mechanosensation—in renal tubular epithelial cells. PC1 regulates various aspects of cellular function, including signal transduction, cytoskeletal remodeling, and cell adhesion. It forms a functional complex with Polycystin-2 (PC2), the product of the PKD2 gene, to maintain intracellular calcium homeostasis and facilitate mechanotransduction ^[1]. Disruption of PC1 signaling, due to PKD1 mutations—which account for approximately 85% of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) cases—undermines these regulatory pathways, promoting abnormal cell proliferation and cyst formation ^[2]. Clinically, ADPKD is characterized by the progressive development of multiple fluid-filled cysts, renal enlargement, hypertension, and eventual progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). With a global incidence estimated at 1 in 400 to 1 in 1000 individuals, ADPKD affects nearly 500,000 people in the United States alone and frequently involves extra-renal manifestations, including the heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, and arachnoid membrane ^[3]. Notably, genotypic heterogeneity exists, with PKD1 mutations often associated with an earlier onset and more aggressive disease course ^[2-3]. Traditional systemic Pkd1 knockout models are typically embryonically lethal, precluding long-term pathogenesis studies. In contrast, inducible, kidney-specific conditional knockout models using the Cre-LoxP system recapitulate the clinical features of human ADPKD and permit the investigation of disease progression in adult mice ^[4-5]. Acute-PKD(inducible) mice represent an inducible conditional Pkd1 knockout model generated by crossing Pkd1-floxed mice with kidney-specific, tamoxifen-inducible Cre mice (Cdh16-MerCreMer). Offspring were induced with tamoxifen during lactation to achieve targeted deletion of Pkd1 within renal tubular epithelial cells. Preliminary observations at three weeks post-induction reveal pronounced polycystic kidney disease phenotypes, including the emergence of renal cysts, a marked increase in kidney volume, and elevated serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. We will continue to monitor this model to assess its late-stage phenotypes and overall disease progression.