The Use of Cre/loxP Inducible Mouse Models to Dissect the Specific Roles of Calcineurin Signaling in Myeloid Cells

Abstract

The calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFAT) signaling pathway is important for the development and function of different leukocyte subsets. Calcineurin is activated through increased intracellular levels of calcium that is triggered by cell receptors. The phosphatase activity of calcineurin dephosporylates the members of NFAT transcription factor family and activates their translocation to the nucleus and further starts the transcription of NFAT-regulated genes. Although calcineurin is expressed ubiquitously, its functions are cell- and tissue-specific. The genetically engineered murine models allow to dissect the calcineurin roles in tissue-specific manner and as such have been essential to pursue the understanding of important role of calcineurin/NFAT pathway in orchestrating the developmental and immune response processes. This protocol describes several examples of the use of Cre/loxP inducible mouse models deficient in calcineurin in different myeloid subsets to dissect the cell- and tissue-specific roles of calcineurin signaling.