Figure 1.

miR-124 is a neuron-specific miRNA. A, Illustration of the vectors and experimental approach to generate miR-124.T reporter mice using lentiviral transgenesis. Lentiviral vectors were injected into the perivitelline space of fertilized embryos, which were transplanted into a pseudopregnant mouse. B, The vector-encoded transcript is expressed in both miR-124 expressing cells and nonexpressing cells. In the miR-124-expressing cells, the target site containing transcripts is suppressed, resulting in no GFP expression. C–E, GFP expression in miR-124.T reporter mice was found exclusively in nonneuronal cells throughout the brain. Control mice (PGK.GFP) displayed GFP activity in all cells of the brain. Scale bars, 100 μm. F–H, Confocal analysis of GFP cells in miR-124.T mice showing that neurons (NeuN) do not express GFP while astrocytes (GFAP) and microglia (IBA1) do. Scale bars, 10 μm. cPPT, Central polypurine tract; SIN, self-inactivating.