Objective We tested the hypothesis that simulation of cardiac α1A-adrenergic receptors (α1A-AR) protects against the development of heart failure through induction of angiogenesis. Approach and Results 4–6 weeks after permanent coronary artery occlusion (CAO), transgenic (TG) rats with cardiomyocyte-specific α1A-AR overexpression had less remodeling than their non-transgenic littermates (NTLs), with less fibrosis, hypertrophy and lung wt, and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and wall stress, all p<0.05. Coronary blood flow, measured with microspheres, increased in the infarct zone in TG compared to NTLs (1.4±0.2 vs. 0.5±0.08ml/min/g) (p<0.05), which is consistent with angiogenesis, as reflected by a 20% increase in capillary density in the zone adjacent to the infarct. The question arose, how does TG overexpression of a gene in cardiomyocytes induce angiogenesis? We identified a paracrine mechanism, whereby VEGF-A mRNA and protein were increased in isolated TG cardiomyocytes, and also by NTL cardiomyocytes treated with an α1A-agonist, resulting in angiogenesis. Conditioned medium from cultured TG cardiomyocytes enhanced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tubule formation, which was blocked by an anti-VEGF-A antibody. Moreover, improved cardiac function, blood flow and increased capillary density after chronic CAO in TG rats were blocked by either a MEK or a VEGF-A inhibitor. Conclusions Cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of the α1A-AR resulted in enhanced MEK-dependent cardiomyocyte VEGF-A expression, which stimulates angiogenesis via a paracrine mechanism involving heterocellular cardiomyocyte/endothelial cell signalling, protecting against remodeling and heart failure following chronic CAO.

As little as a decade ago, generation of a single knockout mouse line was an expensive and time-consuming undertaking available to relatively few researchers. The International Knockout Mouse Consortium, established in 2007, has revolutionized the use of such models by creating an open-access repository of embryonic stem (ES) cells that, through sequential breeding with first FLP1 recombinase and then Cre recombinase transgenic mice, facilitates germline global or conditional deletion of almost every gene in the mouse genome. In this Case Study, we describe our experience using the repository to create mouse lines for a variety of experimental purposes. Specifically, we discuss the process of obtaining germline transmission of two European Conditional Mouse Mutagenesis Program (EUCOMM) “knockout-first” gene targeted constructs and the advantages and pitfalls of using this system. We then outline our breeding strategy and the outcomes of our efforts to generate global and conditional knockouts and reporter mice for the genes of interest. Line maintenance, removal of recombinase transgenes, and cryopreservation are also considered. Our approach led to the generation of heterozygous knockout mice within 6 months of commencing breeding to the founder mice. By describing our experiences with the EUCOMM ES cells and subsequent breeding steps, we hope to assist other researchers with the application of this valuable approach to generating versatile knockout mouse lines.