Name: Use of Freeze-thawed Embryos for High-efficiency Production of Genetically Modified Mice (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2020-04-02T13:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 6 min 46 s
Description: Learn to generate genetically modified mice efficiently using freeze-thawed embryos and CRISPR/Cas9 electroporation. This optimized protocol achieves high editing efficiency with low mosaicism for rapid knockout and knock-in mouse production.

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5 minutes

We wish to thank Hitomi Sawada and Elizabeth Garcia for animal care. This work was supported by KAKENHI (15K20134, 17K11222, 16H06276 and 16K01946) and Hokugin Research Grant (to H.N.), and Jichi Medical University Young Investigator Award (to H.U.).&#160;The Otsuka Toshimi Scholarship Foundation supported M.D.

All animal care and procedures performed in this study were undertaken according to the rules and regulations of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The experimental protocol was approved by the Animal Care Committee of Laboratory Animals of University of Toyama, University of Tokyo, Jichi University, and Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. Information about all reagents is showed in the Table of Materials.
1. CRISPR reagents design
<ol>
	<li>crRNA design
	<ol>
		<li>Visit CRISPR direct19 (https://crispr.dbcls.jp/) to design specific crRNAs with reduced off-target sites. 
		NOTE: There are many other useful tools to design the crRNA20 (https://bioinfogp.cnb.csic.es/tools/wereview/crisprtools/).</li>
		<li>Insert the target nucleotide sequence and make the following changes: 
		PAM sequence requirement = NGG 
		Specificity check = Mouse (Mus musculus) genome, GRCm38/mm10 (Dec, 2011) 
		NOTE: As an example, to generate Tyrosinase (Tyr) knockout mice, exon 2 (nucleotide sequence from 9476&#8211;9692) was targeted.</li>
		<li>Click Design, and for highly specific hits, mark Show Highly Specific Target Only.</li>
		<li>To reduce potential off-target effects, choose the target sequence with the lowest value in the columns of &#34;12 mer+PAM&#34; and &#34;8 mer+PAM&#34;. 
		NOTE: In these columns, (&#34;1&#34;) indicates that the sequence has only one perfect match with the intended target site and numbers greater than one indicate the presence of potential off-target sites.</li>
		<li>Order the resulting oligonucleotides from crRNA synthesis companies (Supplimentary Table 1). 
		NOTE: For the exon 2 Tyr gene, the following target sequence was used: GGACCACTATTACGTAATCC, with +TGG as the PAM sequence (Figure 2A).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Single strand oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) design for HDR-mediated editing experiments (i.e., knock-in mice generation).
	<ol>
		<li>Design the ssODN length to be around 80&#8211;180 bp including 30&#8211;60 nucleotide (nt) homology arms on both sides. 
		NOTE: An ssODN of 75&#8211;85 nt length, including a 30&#8211;35 nt homology arm and complementary to the gRNA, showed high knock-in editing efficiency21.</li>
		<li>Insert the intended modification and silent mutation at the PAM sequence or, if not possible, at the 5&#8242; neighboring base of PAM to block the recutting after genome editing. 
		NOTE: The crRNA and ssODN used in this study are listed in Supplementary Table 1.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. In vitro fertilization, embryo cryopreservation, and freeze-thawing
<ol>
	<li>In vitro fertilization
	<ol>
		<li>Superovulate C57BL/6J female mice (4 or 8-weeks-old) by IP injection with&#160;pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) followed by injection with 7.5 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) after 48 h. 
		NOTE: The number of ovulated oocytes can be increased by about 3x using ultra-superovulation22.</li>
		<li>Remove the cauda epididymides from sexually mature C57BL/6J male mice (3&#8211;5-months-old). 
		NOTE: It is possible to collect spermatozoa without sacrificing the male mice.</li>
		<li>Extract clots of spermatozoa with a dissecting needle and incubate them in a 200 &#181;L drop of human tubal&#160;fluid (HTF) in CO2 incubator for 1.5 h for capacitation.</li>
		<li>Collect cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from the oviducts 16&#8211;18 h after the hCG injection and incubate them in a fresh 200 &#181;L drop of&#160;HTF medium covered with paraffin liquid in a CO2 incubator (5% CO2, 37 &#176;C) for no more than 2 h. 
		NOTE: It is preferable to sacrifice the mice by cervical dislocation under anesthesia because euthanasia via CO2 inhalation affects IVF and embryo development23.</li>
		<li>Add 1&#8211;5 &#181;L of sperm suspension from the boundary of the incubation medium to the 200 &#181;L drop of HTF medium containing COCs and incubate them in a CO2 incubator for 3 h.</li>
		<li>Wash the oocytes with potassium-supplemented simplex optimization medium (KSOM) 3x to remove remaining sperm and cumulus cells.</li>
		<li>Check the pronuclear formation and the grade of one-cell embryos using an inverted microscope.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Cryopreservation of one-cell embryos
	<ol>
		<li>Incubate one-cell embryos in a 200 &#181;L drop of HTF containing 20% FBS (not covered with paraffin liquid) for 10 min in a CO2 incubator.</li>
		<li>Transfer 20&#8211;100 embryos to 50 &#181;L of 1 M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution24.</li>
		<li>Transfer 5 &#181;L of a solution containing 100 embryos into the bottom of a cryotube and cool for 5 min at 0 &#176;C using a chiller or on ice.</li>
		<li>Add 45 &#181;L of DAP213 (2 M dimethyl sulfoxide, 1 M acetamide, and 3 M propylene glycol) solution slowly along the tube wall, cap the tubes, and keep for 5 min in a chiller or on ice at 0 &#176;C. 
		NOTE: Do not fasten the caps too tightly to remove them easily during sample thawing.</li>
		<li>Store tubes rapidly in liquid nitrogen.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Embryo thawing
	<ol>
		<li>Open the lid of the cryotube, discard the remaining liquid nitrogen, and add 900 &#181;L of 0.25 M sucrose solution preheated to 37 &#176;C. 
		NOTE: The 0.25 M sucrose solution must be warmed to 37 &#176;C in advance because the use of cold solution decreases embryo viability after thawing.</li>
		<li>Pipet quickly for 10x and transfer the contents of the cryotube into a plastic dish. 
		NOTE: The pipetting should be performed carefully, so that no bubbles are generated and damage the embryos.</li>
		<li>Wash the morphologically normal fertilized oocytes 2x in KSOM medium covered with paraffin liquid and keep them in a CO2 incubator until electroporation.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. Assembly and electroporation of CRISPR reagents
NOTE: For electroporation, we used a platinum plate electrode (height: 0.5 mm, length: 10 mm, width: 3 mm, gap: 1 mm) and a one-step type electroporator that were described previously8 (Table of Materials). A two-step type electroporator can be used too (Table of Materials).
<ol>
	<li>Preparation and assembly of CRISPR reagents
	<ol>
		<li>Order CRISPR reagents (i.e., crRNA, tracrRNA, and Cas9 protein) and ssODN if performing HDR-mediated editing experiments (Table of Materials and Supplementary Table 1).</li>
		<li>Prepare the annealing solution as follows.
		<ol>
			<li>Prepare 1 &#956;g/&#181;L crRNA and 1 &#956;g/&#181;L tracrRNA in Reduced-Serum Minimal Essential Medium solution (Table of Materials), and add 6 &#181;L of each solution to 42 &#181;L of the nuclease-free buffer.</li>
			<li>Incubate the mixture in the dry heater at 95 &#176;C for 3 min and cool at RT for 5 min.</li>
			<li>Prepare 1 &#956;g/&#181;L HiFi Cas9 protein diluted in Opti-MEM I and add 6 &#181;L to the previous mixture for a total volume of 60 &#181;L.</li>
			<li>In performing HDR-mediated editing experiments, add 6 &#181;L of 1 &#956;g/&#181;L ssODN. Because the final volume should be 60 &#181;L, use 36 &#181;L of nuclease-free water in step 3.1.2.1. 
			NOTE: The final concentration of crRNA, tracrRNA, Cas9 protein, and ssODN will be 100 ng/&#181;L.</li>
			<li>Transfer up to 100 embryos to 25 &#181;L of the final mixture (RNP complex) in a one hole slide glass and incubate them at 37 &#176;C for 10 min.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Electroporation
	<ol>
		<li>Fill the electrode gap with 6 &#181;L of the new mixture of CRISPR reagents and add 20&#8211;25 embryos to the mixture. 
		NOTE: It is important to avoid any contact between the embryos and the electroporation electrode, which can damage embryos during electrical pulses.</li>
		<li>Perform the electroporation at the following conditions for an one-step type electroporator: 
		Voltage: 25 V, Pulse direction (Pd) + 
		ON: 3 ms, OFF: 97 ms 
		Repeats: 5x 
		NOTE: Electroporation should be performed no more than 1 h after thawing to ensure genome editing occurs before the first DNA replication to prevent mosaicism.</li>
		<li>For a two-step type electroporator, set the conditions as follows: 
		Poring Pulse = 40V, Pd + 
		ON = 1 or 2.5 ms; Pulse interval = 50 ms 
		Repeats: 4x, Decay 10% 
		 
		Transfer Pulse = 5 or 7V; Pd +/-. 
		ON: 50 ms; Pulse interval = 50 ms. 
		Repeats = 5x; Decay = 40%. 
		NOTE: It is important to adjust the volume in order to maintain impedance within the specific range specified by the manufacturer.</li>
		<li>Wash the embryos 3x with modified Krebs-Ringer Bicarbonate Buffer 2 (M2) medium followed by two washes with a drop of KSOM medium covered with paraffin liquid.</li>
		<li>Incubate the washed embryos (in KSOM medium) in a CO2 incubator overnight for further transplantation.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
4. Embryo transfer
<ol>
	<li>Prepare pseudopregnant female mice. Mate ICR female mice (3&#8211;6 months) with vasectomized male mice 1 day before the embryo transfer (ET). 
	NOTE: Mice should be checked the next morning for a copulatory plug. The mice with a plug are considered pseudopregnant and can be used for ET.</li>
	<li>Aspirate air and KSOM (without paraffin liquid) in alternate intervals of 2&#8211;3 mm into a glass capillary as a marker for successful implantation.</li>
	<li>Introduce 20&#8211;24 embryos into a 200 &#956;L drop of KSOM (without paraffin liquid) and draw 10&#8211;12 embryos into the glass capillary for implantation in each oviduct.</li>
	<li>Anesthetize the female mice by isoflurane (inhalation) or an IP injection of a solution combining medetomidine/midazolam/butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg, 4.0 mg/kg, and 5.0 mg/kg respectively). Position the anesthetized mouse on its ventral side on a heating pad. Protect the eyes of the anesthetized mouse with a moisturizing gel.</li>
	<li>Shave along the lower part of the dorsal midline and disinfect the area with povidone iodine followed by with 70% ethanol.</li>
	<li>Make a long ~1 cm incision parallel to the dorsal midline.</li>
	<li>Take out the oviduct and place on a sterile plastic drape. Keep it moist using warm sterile saline.</li>
	<li>Place the oviduct under the stereoscopic microscope.</li>
	<li>Make a hole into the wall of the oviduct between the infundibulum and ampulla a few millimeters upstream of the ampulla by microspring scissors.</li>
	<li>Insert the tip of the glass capillary containing the embryos into the hole and blow gently into the mouthpiece of the capillary holder to expel the embryos until an air bubble is visible in the ampulla. 
	NOTE: Transfer between 10&#8211;12 embryos per oviduct.</li>
	<li>Withdraw the glass capillary from the oviduct wall and push the reproductive organ gently back into the body cavity.</li>
	<li>Repeat the previous process to introduce the embryos into the other oviduct.</li>
	<li>Upon completing the ET procedure, suture the peritoneum with a simple interrupted suture pattern (5&#173;0, absorbable, braided synthetic sutures) and then the skin with a simple interrupted pattern or a buried subcuticular interrupted stitch pattern (6&#173;0 non&#173;absorbable, monosynthetic sutures).</li>
	<li>Keep the mouse warm on a 37 &#176;C warming plate until it recovers from anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Monitor the health of the animal daily for 7 days after surgery.</li>
</ol>
5. Genotyping and sequence analysis
<ol>
	<li>Genomic DNA extraction 
	NOTE: We used NucleoSpin tissue DNA extraction kits to extract the genomic DNA from mice ear tissue following the manufacturer&#8217;s recommendations.
	<ol>
		<li>Add 180 &#181;L of Buffer T1 and 25 &#181;L of Proteinase K solution to the sample and mix by vortexing for 10 s.</li>
		<li>Incubate at 56 &#176;C for 2 h or until complete lysis is obtained. Vortex for 10 s every 30 min of the incubation.</li>
		<li>Add 200 &#181;L of Buffer B3, vortex vigorously for 30 s, and incubate at 70 &#176;C for 10 min.</li>
		<li>Add 210 &#181;L of 100% ethanol to the sample and vortex vigorously.</li>
		<li>For each sample, place one tissue column into a collection tube and apply the sample to the column.</li>
		<li>Centrifuge for 1 min at 11,000 x g, discard the flowthrough, and place the column back into the collection tube.</li>
		<li>Add 500 &#181;L of Buffer BW to wash the sample (1st wash), centrifuge for 1 min at 11,000 x g, discard the flowthrough and place the column back into the collection tube.</li>
		<li>Add 600 &#181;L of Buffer B5 to the column (2nd wash), centrifuge for 1 min at 11,000 x g, discard the flowthrough, and place the column back into the collection tube.</li>
		<li>Centrifuge the column for 1 min at 11,000 x g to dry the silica membrane and place the NucleoSpin tissue column into a 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube.</li>
		<li>Add 100 &#181;L of Buffer BE, incubate at room temperature for 1 min, then centrifuge 1 min at 11,000 x g.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>PCR amplification and purification
	<ol>
		<li>Design the primers using the primer3 plus website (https://primer3plus.com/) in order to amplify a 400&#8211;500 bp sequence surrounding the targeted locus.</li>
		<li>Design a new PCR protocol and test it empirically.</li>
		<li>Purify the PCR product to remove the unwanted enzymes, nucleotides, primers, and buffer components. A standard purification method can be used as follows.
		<ol>
			<li>Add 50 &#181;L of phenol to 50 &#181;L of the PCR products and mix by vortexing.</li>
			<li>Centrifuge for 1 min at 11,000 x g and transfer the upper transparent layer to a new tube.</li>
			<li>Add 120 &#181;L of 99.5% ethanol and 20 &#181;L of 5 M ammonium acetate and vortex for 30 s.</li>
			<li>Keep at RT for 10 min and centrifuge at 11,000 x g for 10 min.</li>
			<li>Discard the supernatant and wash the DNA pellet with 1 mL of 70% ethanol.</li>
			<li>Dry the pellet at RT for 10 min and dissolve in 10 &#181;L of RNase free water. 
			NOTE: PCR column-based purification kits are recommented because phenol is toxic to humans.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Sanger sequencing
	<ol>
		<li>Run DNA quantification analysis (see Table of Materials) to quantify the purified PCR amplicon.</li>
		<li>Send PCR product(s) and sequencing primer(s) to a sequencing service provider.</li>
		<li>Analyze the sequence using the available online websites. 
		NOTE: In this study, CRISP-ID25 (http:/crispid.gbiomed.kuleuven.be/) was used for sequence analysis.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

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<li>Takeo, T., Nakagata, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Superovulation+using+the+combined+administration+of+inhibin+antiserum+and+equine+chorionic+gonadotropin+increases+the+number+of+ovulated+oocytes+in+C57BL%2F6+female+mice%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22PLoS+ONE%22%5BJournal%5D)">Superovulation using the combined administration of inhibin antiserum and equine chorionic gonadotropin increases the number of ovulated oocytes in C57BL/6 female mice.</a> PLoS ONE. 10 (5), 1-11 (2015).</li>
<li>Wuri, L., Agca, C., Agca, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Euthanasia+via+CO2+inhalation+causes+premature+cortical+granule+exocytosis+in+mouse+oocytes+and+influences+in+vitro+fertilization+and+embryo+development%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Molecular+Reproduction+and+Development%22%5BJournal%5D)">Euthanasia via CO2 inhalation causes premature cortical granule exocytosis in mouse oocytes and influences in vitro fertilization and embryo development.</a> Molecular Reproduction and Development. 86 (7), 825-834 (2019).</li>
<li>Nakagata, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((High+survival+rate+of+unfertilized+mouse+oocytes+after+vitrification%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Reproduction+and+Fertility%22%5BJournal%5D)">High survival rate of unfertilized mouse oocytes after vitrification.</a> Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. 87 (2), 479-483 (1989).</li>
<li>Dehairs, J., Talebi, A., Cherifi, Y., Swinnen, J. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((CRISP-ID%3A+Decoding+CRISPR+mediated+indels+by+Sanger+sequencing%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Scientific+Reports%22%5BJournal%5D)">CRISP-ID: Decoding CRISPR mediated indels by Sanger sequencing.</a> Scientific Reports. 6, 28973(2016).</li>
<li>Nakagawa, Y., Sakuma, T., Takeo, T., Nakagata, N., Yamamoto, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Electroporation-mediated+genome+editing+in+vitrified%2Fwarmed+mouse+zygotes+created+by+ivf+via+ultra-superovulation%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Experimental+Animals%22%5BJournal%5D)">Electroporation-mediated genome editing in vitrified/warmed mouse zygotes created by ivf via ultra-superovulation.</a> Experimental Animals. 67 (4), 535-543 (2018).</li>
<li>Nakajima, K., Nakajima, T., Takase, M., Yaoita, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Generation+of+albino+Xenopus+tropicalis+using+zinc-finger+nucleases%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Development+Growth+and+Differentiation%22%5BJournal%5D)">Generation of albino Xenopus tropicalis using zinc-finger nucleases.</a> Development Growth and Differentiation. 54 (9), 777-784 (2012).</li>
<li>Hur, J. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Targeted+mutagenesis+in+mice+by+electroporation+of+Cpf1+ribonucleoproteins%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nature+Biotechnology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Targeted mutagenesis in mice by electroporation of Cpf1 ribonucleoproteins.</a> Nature Biotechnology. 34, 807-808 (2016).</li>
<li>Dumeau, C. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Introducing+gene+deletions+by+mouse+zygote+electroporation+of+Cas12a%2FCpf1%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Transgenic+Research%22%5BJournal%5D)">Introducing gene deletions by mouse zygote electroporation of Cas12a/Cpf1.</a> Transgenic Research. 28 (5-6), 525-535 (2019).</li>
<li>Chen, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((CRISPR-READI%3A+Efficient+Generation+of+Knockin+Mice+by+CRISPR+RNP+Electroporation+and+AAV+Donor+Infection%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Cell+Reports%22%5BJournal%5D)">CRISPR-READI: Efficient Generation of Knockin Mice by CRISPR RNP Electroporation and AAV Donor Infection.</a> Cell Reports. 27 (13), 3780-3789 (2019).</li>
<li>Mizuno, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Intra-embryo+Gene+Cassette+Knockin+by+CRISPR%2FCas9-Mediated+Genome+Editing+with+Adeno-Associated+Viral+Vector%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22iScience%22%5BJournal%5D)">Intra-embryo Gene Cassette Knockin by CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing with Adeno-Associated Viral Vector.</a> iScience. 9, 286-297 (2018).</li>
<li>Kim, S., Kim, D., Cho, S. W., Kim, J., Kim, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Highly+Efficient+RNA-guide+genome+editing+in+human+cells+via+delivery+of+purified+Cas9+ribonucleoproteins%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Genome+Research%22%5BJournal%5D)">Highly Efficient RNA-guide genome editing in human cells via delivery of purified Cas9 ribonucleoproteins.</a> Genome Research. 24 (6), 1012-1019 (2014).</li>
<li>Vakulskas, C. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+high-fidelity+Cas9+mutant+delivered+as+a+ribonucleoprotein+complex+enables+efficient+gene+editing+in+human+hematopoietic+stem+and+progenitor+cells%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nature+Medicine%22%5BJournal%5D)">A high-fidelity Cas9 mutant delivered as a ribonucleoprotein complex enables efficient gene editing in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.</a> Nature Medicine. 24 (8), 1216-1224 (2018).</li>
<li>Rodriguez-Rodriguez, J. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Distinct+Roles+of+RZZ+and+Bub1-KNL1+in+Mitotic+Checkpoint+Signaling+and+Kinetochore+Expansion%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Current+Biology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Distinct Roles of RZZ and Bub1-KNL1 in Mitotic Checkpoint Signaling and Kinetochore Expansion.</a> Current Biology. 28 (21), 3422-3429 (2018).</li>
<li>Smits, A. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Biological+Plasticity+Rescues+Target+Activity+in+CRISPR+Knockouts%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nature+Methods%22%5BJournal%5D)">Biological Plasticity Rescues Target Activity in CRISPR Knockouts.</a> Nature Methods. 16, 1087-1093 (2019).</li>
</ol>

The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.

The described protocol allows for the generation of GM mice with high efficiency and low mosaic rates (Table 1). It enables researchers without advanced embryo manipulation skills to create mutant mice easily because it takes advantage of the latest and most useful advances in both reproductive engineering and genome editing technologies: CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) and electroporation into freeze-thawed embryos. These advances facilitated and expedited the generation of the GM mice. As described...

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system is a scientific breakthrough that provides unprecedented targeted modification in the genome1. The CRISPR/Cas9 system is comprised of Cas9 protein and guide RNA (gRNA) with two molecular components: a target-specific CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and a trans-activating CRISPR RNA (tracrRNA)2 . A gRNA directs the Cas9 protein to the specific locus in the genome, 20 nucleotides complementary to crRNA, and adjacent to the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). The Cas9 protein binds to the target sequence and induces double-strand breaks (DSBs) that are repaired by either error-prone nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) or high fidelity homology-directed repair (HDR)3,4,5. The NHEJ leads to insertions or/and deletions (indels), and hence to gene loss of function when a coding sequence is targeted. The HDR leads to precise genome editing in the presence of a repair template containing homology sequences3,4,5. The NHEJ and HDR have been harnessed to generate knockout and knock-in mice, respectively.
While the CRISPR/Cas9 system has markedly accelerated the generation of GM mice with outstanding efficacy and fidelity, scientists who apply these methods often encounter technical challenges. First, conventional protocols require microinjection for introducing the CRISPR editing tools into the pronucleus of fertilized eggs6,7. This technique is time-consuming and usually requires extensive training. Thus, several groups replaced microinjection with electroporation8,9,10,11,12,13. However, in the early electroporation protocols fresh embryos were used for electroporation. This caused another problem, because preparing fresh embryos before each experiment is difficult14.
Recently we and others have combined the use of freeze-thawed embryos and electroporation for genome editing, which facilitates the generation of GM mice15,16. This protocol enables researchers without advanced embryo manipulation skills to rapidly generate animal models of human diseases with high efficiency. The protocol also significantly reduces practical challenges in generating GM mice, such as genetic heterogeneity in the founders16. To overcome mosaicism, we perform the electroporation of CRISPR reagents within 1 h after embryo thawing to ensure that editing occurs before the first replication of the genome. Another improvement includes the use of Cas9 protein instead of Cas9 mRNA to reduce undesirable mosaicism17. Furthermore, we developed an optimal method for one-cell embryo cryopreservation that increases the developmental rate to the two-cell stage16: use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) dramatically improves the survival of freeze-thawed oocytes after fertilization, perhaps by the same mechanism that makes freeze-thawed unfertilized oocytes more resilient18.
Here we present a comprehensive protocol for the generation of GM mice using freeze-thawed embryos, including the modified method for cryopreservation of one-cell C57BL/6J embryos. It includes 1) gRNA design, CRISPR reagent preparation and assembly; 2) IVF, cryopreservation, and thawing of one-cell embryos; 3) Electroporation of CRISPR reagents into freeze-thawed embryos; 4) Embryo transfer into the oviduct of pseudopregnant female mice; and 5) Genotyping and sequence analysis of the F0 founder animals.

<table><tbody><tr><td>0.25 M Sucrose</td><td>ARK Resource Co., Ltd. (Kumamoto, Japan)</td><td>SUCROSE</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1 M DMSO</td><td>ARK Resource Co., Ltd. (Kumamoto, Japan)</td><td>1M DMSO</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Butorphanol</td><td>Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan)</td><td>Vetorphale 5mg</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cas9 protein: Alt-R&amp;reg; S.p. HiFi Cas9 Nuclease 3NLS</td><td>Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (Coralville, IA)</td><td>1081060</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>C57BL/6J mice</td><td>Japan SLC (Hamamatsu, Japan)</td><td>N/A</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DAP213</td><td>ARK Resource Co., Ltd. (Kumamoto, Japan)</td><td>DAP213</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>FBS</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich, Inc. (St. Louis, MO)</td><td>ES-009-C</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>hCG</td><td>MOCHIDA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD (Tokyo, Japan)</td><td>HCG Mochida 3000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HTF</td><td>ARK Resource Co., Ltd. (Kumamoto, Japan)</td><td>HTF</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ICR mice</td><td>Japan SLC (Hamamatsu, Japan)</td><td>N/A</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Isoflurane</td><td>Petterson Vet Supply, Inc. (Greeley, CO)</td><td>07-893-1389</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>KSOM</td><td>ARK Resource Co., Ltd. (Kumamoto, Japan)</td><td>KSOM</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>LN2 Tank</td><td>Chart Industries (Ball Ground, GA)</td><td>XC 34/18</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>M2</td><td>ARK Resource Co., Ltd. (Kumamoto, Japan)</td><td>M2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Medetomidine</td><td>Nippon Zenyaku Kogyo Co.,Ltd. (Koriyama, Japan)</td><td>1124401A1060</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Microscope</td><td>Nikon Co. (Tokyo, Japan)</td><td>SMZ745T</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Midazolam</td><td>Sandoz K.K. (Tokyo, Japan)</td><td>1124401A1060</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nuclease free buffer</td><td>Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (Coralville, IA)</td><td>1072570</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nucleospin DNA extraction kit</td><td>Takara Bio Inc (Kusatsu, Japan)</td><td>740952 .5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>One-hole slide glass</td><td>Matsunami Glass Ind., Ltd. (Kishiwada, Japan)</td><td>S339929</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>One-step type Electroporator</td><td>BEX Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan)</td><td>CUY21EDIT II</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Paraffin Liquid</td><td>NACALAI TESQUE Inc. (Kyoto, Japan)</td><td>SP 26137-85</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Platinum plate electrode</td><td>BEX Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan)</td><td>LF501PT1-10, GE-101</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>PMSG</td><td>ASKA Animal Health Co., Ltd (Tokyo, Japan)</td><td>SEROTROPIN 1000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Povidone iodide</td><td>Professional Disposables International, Inc. (Orangeburg, NY)</td><td>C12400</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Reduced-Serum Minimal Essential Medium: OptiMEM I</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich, Inc. (St. Louis, MO)</td><td>22600134</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Two-step type Electroporator</td><td>Nepa Gene Co., Ltd. (Ichikawa, Japan)</td><td>NEPA21</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

use of freeze-thawed embryos for high-efficiency production of genetically modified mice

Use of Freeze-thawed Embryos for High-efficiency Production of Genetically Modified Mice

The use of genetically modified (GM) mice has become crucial for understanding gene function and deciphering the underlying mechanisms of human diseases. The CRISPR/Cas9 system allows researchers to modify the genome with unprecedented efficiency, fidelity, and simplicity. Harnessing this technology, researchers are seeking a rapid, efficient, and easy protocol for generating GM mice. Here we introduce an improved method for cryopreservation of one-cell embryos that leads to a higher developmental rate of the freeze-thawed embryos. By combining it with optimized electroporation conditions, this protocol allows for the generation of knockout and knock-in mice with high efficiency and low mosaic rates within a short time. Furthermore, we show a step-by-step explanation of our optimized protocol, covering CRISPR reagent preparation, in vitro fertilization, cryopreservation and thawing of one-cell embryos, electroporation of CRISPR reagents, mouse generation, and genotyping of the founders. Using this protocol, researchers should be able to prepare GM mice with unparalleled ease, speed, and efficiency.

Our modified method for cryopreservation of one-cell embryos, including incubation in HTF containing 20% FBS for 10 min followed by cryopreservation in 1 M DMSO and DAP213 solution, improved the developmental rate of the freeze-thawed embryos into the two-cell stage (Figure 1, p = 0.009, Student’s t-test).The freeze-thawed embryos were used for the production of GM mice and electroporation conditions were optimized: five repeats of 25 V with 3 ms pulses and 97 ms intervals using an electropo...

Here, we present a modified method for cryopreservation of one-cell embryos as well as a protocol that couples the use of freeze-thawed embryos and electroporation for the efficient generation of genetically modified mice.

The use of genetically modified (GM) mice has become crucial for understanding gene function and deciphering the underlying mechanisms of human diseases. ...

use-freeze-thawed-embryos-for-high-efficiency-production-genetically

Research

JoVE Journal

Genetics

In this video-article we present a step-by-step demonstration on how to collect and cryopreserve hamster oocytes with high post-thaw survival rates. The same procedure can also be applied to successfully freeze and thaw mouse embryos at different stages of preimplantation development.

Collection and Cryopreservation of Hamster Oocytes and Mouse Embryos

An ethylene glycol-based vitrification method for mouse embryos is described. It is advantageous to other methods in its simplicity and low embryonic toxicity, and therefore can be broadly applicable to many strains of mice, including inbred and gene-modified mice.

Cryopreservation of Mouse Embryos by Ethylene Glycol-Based Vitrification

Here we demonstrate the newly developed I•Cryo kit for mouse sperm cryopreservation.  Two-cell stage embryo development with frozen-thawed sperm was improved consistently in 5 mouse strains with the use of this kit.  Over a 1.5 year period, 49 genetically modified mouse lines were archived by sperm cryopreservation with the I•Cryo kit and later successfully recovered by IVF.

Mouse Sperm Cryopreservation and Recovery using the I&middot;Cryo Kit

Designer nucleases such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) can be used to modify the genome of mouse preimplantation embryos by triggering both the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR) pathways. These advances enable the rapid generation of mice with precise genetic modifications.

Mouse Genome Engineering Using Designer Nucleases

The microinjection of mouse oocytes is commonly used for both classic transgenesis (i.e., the random integration of transgenes) and CRISPR-mediated gene targeting. This protocol reviews the latest developments in microinjection, with a particular emphasis on quality control and genotyping strategies.

Generation of Genetically Modified Mice through the Microinjection of Oocytes

Here we present a protocol to increase chimera production without the use of new equipment. A simple orientation change of the embryo for injection can increase the number of embryos produced, and potentially reduce the timeline to germline transmission.

Trans-inner Cell Mass Injection of Embryonic Stem Cells Leads to Higher Chimerism Rates

Here, we present a protocol to promote transgene integration and production of founder transgenic mice with high efficacy by a simple injection of a lentiviral vector in the perivitelline space of a fertilized oocyte.

Lentiviral Mediated Production of Transgenic Mice: A Simple and Highly Efficient Method for Direct Study of Founders

The present protocol describes zygote microinjection of CRISPR-Cas9 and donor DNA to efficiently produce gene cassette knock-in and floxed mice.

Zygote Microinjection for Creating Gene Cassette Knock-in and Flox Alleles in Mice

Here, we describe a simple technique intended for the efficient generation of genetically modified mice called CRISPR RNP Electroporation of Zygotes (CRISPR-EZ). This method delivers editing reagents by electroporation into embryos at an efficiency approaching 100%. This protocol is effective for point mutations, small genomic insertions, and deletions in mammalian embryos.

Efficient Genome Editing of Mice by CRISPR Electroporation of Zygotes

Here we present a protocol for developing genetically modified mouse models using embryonic stem cells, especially for large DNA knock-in (KI). This protocol is tuned up using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, resulting in significantly improved KI efficiency compared with the conventional homologous recombination-mediated linearized DNA targeting method.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Highly Efficient Gene Targeting in Embryonic Stem Cells for Developing Gene-Manipulated Mouse Models

The cervical manipulation method presented can induce pseudopregnancy in mice without the need for breeding females with vasectomized males. The induction of pseudopregnancy is required for the success of non-surgical embryo transfer and non-surgical artificial insemination, both of which are also presented.

Inducing Pseudopregnancy in Female Mice Without the Need for Vasectomized Males Prior to Non-Surgical Embryo Transfer or Artificial Insemination

Learn to generate genetically modified mice efficiently using freeze-thawed embryos and CRISPR/Cas9 electroporation. This optimized protocol achieves high editing efficiency with low mosaicism for rapid knockout and knock-in mouse production.

Use of Freeze-thawed Embryos for High-efficiency Production of Genetically Modified Mice

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