Edn2-flox Mouse

Edn2, also known as endothelin-2, is a 21-amino-acid-long peptide-encoding gene. It is involved in multiple physiological processes.

In the ovary, it plays an essential role in ovulation by promoting contraction in the myofibroblast cells of the theca layer of the follicle [2,5]. In the retina, it is related to photoreceptor protection and may be involved in the regulation of diabetic retinopathy [1,6].

In mouse models, in Edn2(-/-) mice carrying homozygous Pde6b(rd1) alleles or the Tg(RHO P347S) transgene, photoreceptor (PR) survival increased, suggesting that systemic EDN2 loss of function affected mutant PR survival. Restoring Edn2 expression in Pde6b(rd1/rd1); Edn2(-/-) PRs increased PR survival, indicating that increased Edn2 expression is protective to mutant PRs [3]. In conditional Edn2 knockout (Edn2-iKO) mice used as an in vivo acute lung injury (ALI) model, Edn2 deletion suppressed acute lung inflammation by reducing neutrophil-mediated IFNγ/STAT1/IL-1β/NFĸB signaling cascade [4].

In conclusion, Edn2 is crucial for ovulation, photoreceptor protection, and may be involved in the regulation of ALI and diabetic retinopathy. The gene knockout and conditional knockout mouse models have revealed its role in these biological processes and disease conditions, providing insights into related disease mechanisms and potential treatment targets.