B6-huTFRC/htau Mouse

The Transferrin receptor (TFRC) gene encodes Transferrin Receptor 1 (TFR1), a protein that is expressed at low levels in most normal cells but shows increased expression in highly proliferative cells, such as basal epidermal cells, intestinal epithelium, and certain activated immune cells. Brain capillary endothelial cells, which constitute the blood-brain barrier (BBB), also express this receptor at high levels ^[1]. TFR1 plays a critical role in maintaining iron metabolism and homeostasis by facilitating receptor-mediated endocytosis of iron-bound transferrin (Tf) via Tf cycling, thereby promoting iron uptake ^[2]. Cellular iron deficiency can lead to apoptosis, while cellular transformation requires substantial iron to sustain proliferation, with iron overload contributing to tumor progression. The high expression of TFR1 in many tumors makes it a potential tumor marker, offering a target for therapies to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis ^[1]. Moreover, TFR1 is implicated in anemia and iron metabolism disorders. Studies have shown that elevated TFR1 expression in cardiomyocytes is associated with exacerbated inflammation in myocarditis patients ^[3]. As a target for antibody-mediated cancer therapy, TFR1 can be leveraged through two approaches: one involves the use of antibodies conjugated to anti-cancer drugs, which are indirectly internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis; the other employs antibodies that directly disrupt receptor function or induce Fc effector functions such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), or complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Various clinical drugs targeting TFR1 are currently under development, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, applicable to diseases such as cancer, anemia, and neurodegenerative disorders. Research indicates that enhancing antibody transport across the blood-brain barrier via TFR1, by forming specific bispecific antibodies with anti-β-amyloid antibodies, can improve therapeutic outcomes in Alzheimer's patients ^[4-5]. As research progresses, TFR1 is expected to become an effective clinical target for multiple diseases and a synergistic target for drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

The tau protein, a microtubule-associated protein encoded by MAPT, is primarily localized to neuronal axons and plays a critical role in microtubule stability and assembly. By binding to microtubules, the tau protein helps to maintain neuronal cell shape. Mutations in MAPT can promote tau aggregation, leading to pathological tau protein accumulation and death of glutamatergic cortical neurons ^[6]. Additionally, certain MAPT mutations can affect pre-mRNA exon splicing, altering the ratio of 3R to 4R tau protein isoforms and increasing the relative production of 4R-tau protein, which is more prone to fibril formation ^[7-8].

The B6-huTFRC/htau mouse is a dual-gene humanized model obtained by mating B6-huTFRC mice (catalog number: C001860) with B6-htau mice (catalog number: C001410). This model can be used for research on neurodegenerative diseases and iron metabolism diseases, as well as pre-clinical studies of TFRC/MAPT-targeted therapeutic drugs.