Generation of cerebral cavernous malformation in neonatal mouse models using inducible Cre-loxP strategy

Abstract

Mutations in the CCM1 (aka KRIT1), CCM2, or CCM3 (aka PDCD10) gene cause cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) in humans. Neonatal mouse models of CCM disease have been established by deleting any one of the Ccm genes. These mouse models provide invaluable in vivo disease model to investigate molecular mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for the disease. Here, we describe detailed methodology to generate CCM disease in mouse models (Ccm1 and Ccm2-deficient) using inducible Cre/loxP recombination strategy.