Pre-Clinical Applications of Transgenic Mouse Mammary Cancer Models

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. Given that the majority of human breast cancers appear to be due to non-genetic factors, identifying agents and mechanisms of prevention is key to lowering the incidence of cancer. Genetically engineered mouse models of mammary cancer have been important in elucidating molecular pathways and signaling events associated with the initiation, promotion, and the progression of cancer. Since several transgenic mammary models of human breast cancer progress through well-defined cancer stages, they are useful pre-clinical systems to test the efficacy of chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. This review outlines several oncogenic pathways through which mammary cancer can be induced in transgenic models and describes several types of preventive and therapeutic agents that have been tested in transgenic models of mammary cancer. The effectiveness of farnesyl inhibitors, aromatase inhibitors, differentiating agents, polyamine inhibitors, anti-angiogenic inhibitors, and immunotherapeutic compounds including vaccines have been evaluated in reducing mammary cancer and tumor progression in transgenic models.     

动脉粥样硬化基因工程小鼠模型

建立可靠的动脉粥样硬化动物模型对于探明其病因、发病机制及防治药物的开发均具有重要的意义。本文介绍了载脂蛋白、脂质代谢有关的受体、脂质代谢有关的酶和转运蛋白等十几种动脉粥样硬化相关基因的基因工程小鼠模型的特点及应用。     

Tumor Dormancy: Death and Resurrection of Cancer As Seen through Transgenic Mouse Models

Cancer is caused by genetic changes that activate oncogenes or inactivate tumor suppressor genes. The repair or inactivation of mutant genes may be effective in the treatment of cancer. Drugs that target oncogenes have shown to be effective in the treatment of some cancers. However, it is still unclear why the inactivation of a single cancer associated gene would ever result in the elimination of tumor cells. In experimental transgenic mouse models the consequences of oncogene inactivation depend upon the genetic and cellular context. In some cases, oncogene inactivation results in the elimination of all or almost all tumor cells through apoptosis or terminal differentiation. However, in other cases, oncogene inactivation results in the apparent loss of the neoplastic properties of tumor cells, that now appear and behave like normal cells, however, upon oncogene reactivation rapidly recover their neoplastic phenotype. These observations illustrate that oncogene inactivation can result in a state of tumor dormancy. Understanding when and how oncogene inactivation induces sustained tumor regression will be important towards the development of successful therapeutic strategies for cancer.     

The Pathological Phenotypes of Human TDP-43 Transgenic Mouse Models Are Independent of Downregulation of Mouse Tdp-43

Tar DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is the major component of pathological deposits in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP) and in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It has been reported that TDP-43 transgenic mouse models expressing human TDP-43 wild-type or ALS-associated mutations recapitulate certain ALS and FTLD pathological phenotypes. Of note, expression of human TDP-43 (hTDP-43) reduces the levels of mouse Tdp-43 (mTdp-43). However, it remained unclear whether the mechanisms through which TDP-43 induces ALS or FTLD-like pathologies resulted from a reduction in mTdp-43, an increase in hTDP-43, or a combination of both. In elucidating the role of mTdp-43 and hTDP-43 in hTDP-43 transgenic mice, we observed that reduction of mTdp-43 in non-transgenic mice by intraventricular brain injection of AAV1-shTardbp leads to a dramatic increase in the levels of splicing variants of mouse sortilin 1 and translin. However, the levels of these two abnormal splicing variants are not increased in hTDP-43 transgenic mice despite significant downregulation of mTdp-43 in these mice. Moreover, further downregulation of mTdp-43 in hTDP-43 hemizygous mice, which are asymptomatic, to the levels equivalent to that of mTdp-43 in hTDP-43 homozygous mice does not induce the pathological phenotypes observed in the homozygous mice. Lastly, the number of dendritic spines and the RNA levels of TDP-43 RNA targets critical for synapse formation and function are significantly decreased in symptomatic homozygous mice. Together, our findings indicate that mTdp-43 downregulation does not lead to a loss of function mechanism or account for the pathological phenotypes observed in hTDP-43 homozygous mice because hTDP-43 compensates for the reduction, and associated functions of mTdp-43. Rather, expression of hTDP-43 beyond a certain threshold leads to abnormal metabolism of TDP-43 RNA targets critical for neuronal structure and function, which might be responsible for the ALS or FTLD-like pathologies observed in homozygous hTDP-43 transgenic mice.     

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models

The human mammary gland is composed of 15-20 lobes that secrete milk into a branching duct system opening at the nipple. Those lobes are themselves composed of a number of terminal duct lobular units made of secretory alveoli and converging ducts¹. In mice, a similar architecture is observed at pregnancy in which ducts and alveoli are interspersed within the connective tissue stroma. The mouse mammary gland epithelium is a tree like system of ducts composed of two layers of cells, an inner layer of luminal cells surrounded by an outer layer of myoepithelial cells denoted by the confines of a basement membrane². At birth, only a rudimental ductal tree is present, composed of a primary duct and 15-20 branches. Branch elongation and amplification start at the beginning of puberty, around 4 weeks old, under the influence of hormones^3,4,5. At 10 weeks, most of the stroma is invaded by a complex system of ducts that will undergo cycles of branching and regression in each estrous cycle until pregnancy². At the onset of pregnancy, a second phase of development begins, with the proliferation and differentiation of the epithelium to form grape-shaped milk secretory structures called alveoli^6,7. Following parturition and throughout lactation, milk is produced by luminal secretory cells and stored within the lumen of alveoli. Oxytocin release, stimulated by a neural reflex induced by suckling of pups, induces synchronized contractions of the myoepithelial cells around the alveoli and along the ducts, allowing milk to be transported through the ducts to the nipple where it becomes available to the pups ⁸. Mammary gland development, differentiation and function are tightly orchestrated and require, not only interactions between the stroma and the epithelium, but also between myoepithelial and luminal cells within the epithelium^9,10,11. Thereby, mutations in many genes implicated in these interactions may impair either ductal elongation during puberty or alveoli formation during early pregnancy, differentiation during late pregnancy and secretory activation leading to lactation^12,13. In this article, we describe how to dissect mouse mammary glands and assess their development using whole mounts. We also demonstrate how to evaluate myoepithelial contractions and milk ejection using an ex-vivo oxytocin-based functional assay. The effect of a gene mutation on mammary gland development and function can thus be determined in situ by performing these two techniques in mutant and wild-type control mice. Download video file.^{(54M, mov)}     

前列腺癌鼠模型

前列腺癌鼠模型是研究前列腺癌的重要工具,目前常见以下4类：自发和诱发鼠模型,异种移植鼠模型,转基因鼠模型和基因敲除鼠模型。简要综述了前列腺癌鼠模型的研究进展。     

Mouse Models of Human Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) results from a deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase, the enzyme catalyzing the conversion of phenylalanine (PHE) to tyrosine. Although this inborn error of metabolism was among the first in humans to be understood biochemically and genetically, little is known of the mechanism(s) involved in the pathology of PKU. We have combined mouse germline mutagenesis with screens for hyperphenylalaninemia to isolate three mutants deficient in phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) activity and cross-reactive protein. Two of these have reduced PAH mRNA and display characteristics of untreated human PKU patients. A low PHE diet partially reverses these abnormalities. Our success in using high frequency random germline point mutagenesis to obtain appropriate disease models illustrates how such mutagenesis can complement the emergent power of targeted mutagenesis in the mouse. The mutants now can be used as models in studying both maternal PKU and somatic gene therapy.     

转基因小鼠乳腺上皮细胞的体外培养及其对催乳素反应的研究

实现转基因生物乳腺反应器对外源蛋白的高效表达是目前生物制药亟待解决的难题。催乳素对泌乳期乳蛋白的合成与分泌具有重要的调控功能。通过转基因小鼠乳腺上皮细胞模型的建立,研究催乳素如何调控乳蛋白的表达,为提高乳腺反应器高效表达外源蛋白提供技术及理论支撑。应用机械破碎及胶原酶消化法,经差速贴壁纯化,成功培养含人转铁蛋白基因的小鼠乳腺上皮细胞,细胞上清液中检测到人转铁蛋白表达。细胞经牛催乳素诱导后人转铁蛋白的表达水平明显升高。利用转基因小鼠乳腺上皮细胞模型,可以进行催乳素和环境因素等对乳腺上皮细胞合成及分泌蛋白能力影响的研究。     

Mouse Ovarian Cancer Models Recapitulate the Human Tumor Microenvironment and Patient Response to Treatment

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阿尔茨海默病转基因小鼠的特点和应用

建立动物模型的目的是在实验动物身上复制人类疾病的模型,用于研究人类疾病的病因、发病、病理变化以及疾病的预防和治疗。目前尚无理想的阿尔茨海默病（Alzheimer’s disease,AD）动物模型,AD实验动物模型的滞后在很大程度上制约了AD治疗药物的筛选。随着AD病因和发病机制研究的不断深入,更完善的AD动物模型也在陆续出现。近年来出现的转基因动物模型属于AD的病因模型,但也不能完整复制出AD的所有特征。最大的缺憾在于缺乏神经原纤维缠结（neurofibrillary tangles,NFTs）和在某些转基因模型中（尤其是单转基因模型）无广泛的神经元丢失。虽然用免疫组化方法检测到tau蛋白,但从未发现成对螺旋纤丝（paired helical filaments,PHF）。     

红色荧光和绿色荧光转基因小鼠模型的建立

目的建立红色荧光和绿色荧光转基因小鼠,为活体荧光影像系统建立重要的实验动物模型。方法把DsRed-Express和EGFP基因插入chicken-βactin强启动子下游构建转基因载体,建立红色荧光和绿色荧光转基因C57BL/6J小鼠。PCR鉴定红色荧光和绿色荧光转基因小鼠的基因表型,活体荧光影像系统分析红色荧光和绿色荧光转基因小鼠,荧光显微镜检测红色荧光和绿色荧光转基因小鼠全身组织器官的组织形态。结果分别建立了3个系的红色荧光和3个系的绿色荧光转基因小鼠。活体荧光影像系统分析转基因小鼠分别呈现红色荧光和绿色荧光。经荧光显微镜观察,DsRed-Express转基因小鼠的红色荧光蛋白在多个组织器官中表达,尤其在胰腺、肝脏、肾脏和脾脏等器官表达量较高。EGFP转基因小鼠绿色荧光蛋白在全身各个组织器官中表达,尤其在胰腺、心脏、小肠、外周血细胞和脑组织等器官组织中表达量较高。结论DsRed-Express和EGFP基因在转基因小鼠中系统性高表达,成功建立了红色荧光和绿色荧光转基因小鼠。DsRed-Express和EGFP转基因小鼠将成为活体荧光影像系统的重要实验动物模型。     

Epstein-Barr Virus,Human Papillomavirus and Mouse Mammary Tumour Virus as Multiple Viruses in Breast Cancer

Background

The purpose of this investigation is to determine if Epstein Barr virus (EBV), high risk human papillomavirus (HPV), and mouse mammary tumour viruses (MMTV) co-exist in some breast cancers.

Materials and Methods

All the specimens were from women residing in Australia. For investigations based on standard PCR, we used fresh frozen DNA extracts from 50 unselected invasive breast cancers. For normal breast specimens, we used DNA extracts from epithelial cells from milk donated by 40 lactating women. For investigations based on in situ PCR we used 27 unselected archival formalin fixed breast cancer specimens and 18 unselected archival formalin fixed normal breast specimens from women who had breast reduction surgery. Thirteen of these fixed breast cancer specimens were ductal carcinoma in situ (dcis) and 14 were predominantly invasive ductal carcinomas (idc).

Results

EBV sequences were identified in 68%, high risk HPV sequences in 50%, and MMTV sequences in 78% of DNA extracted from 50 invasive breast cancer specimens. These same viruses were identified in selected normal and breast cancer specimens by in situ PCR. Sequences from more than one viral type were identified in 72% of the same breast cancer specimens. Normal controls showed these viruses were also present in epithelial cells in human milk – EBV (35%), HPV, 20%) and MMTV (32%) of 40 milk samples from normal lactating women, with multiple viruses being identified in 13% of the same milk samples.

Conclusions

We conclude that (i) EBV, HPV and MMTV gene sequences are present and co-exist in many human breast cancers, (ii) the presence of these viruses in breast cancer is associated with young age of diagnosis and possibly an increased grade of breast cancer.     

MUC1 Selectively Targets Human Pancreatic Cancer in Orthotopic Nude Mouse Models

The goal of this study was to determine whether MUC1 antibody conjugated with a fluorophore could be used to visualize pancreatic cancer. Anti-MUC1 (CT2) antibody was conjugated with 550 nm or 650 nm fluorophores. Nude mouse were used to make subcutaneous and orthotopic models of pancreatic cancer. Western blot and flow cytometric analysis confirmed the expression of MUC1 in human pancreatic cancer cell lines including BxPC-3 and Panc-1. Immunocytochemistry with fluorophore conjugated anti-MUC1 antibody demonstrated fluorescent areas on the membrane of Panc-1 cancer cells. After injecting the conjugated anti-MUC1 antibodies via the tail vein, subcutaneously transplanted Panc-1 and BxPC-3 tumors emitted strong fluorescent signals. In the subcutaneous tumor models, the fluorescent signal from the conjugated anti-MUC1 antibody was noted around the margin of the tumor and space between the cells. The conjugated anti-MUC1 antibody bound the tumor in orthotopically-transplanted Panc-1 and BxPC-3 models enabling the tumors to be imaged. This study showed that fluorophore conjugated anti-MUC1 antibodies could visualize pancreatic tumors in vitro and in vivo and may help to improve the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.     

Heterogeneity of Estrogen Binding Sites in Mouse Mammary Cancer

Abstract

The recent demonstration in our laboratory of at least two specific estrogen binding sites in the rat uterus prompted us to investigate similar heterogeneity of binding sites in a trans-plantable ovarian dependent mouse mammary tumor (MXT-3590). Saturation analysis of cytoplasmic (protamine sulfate or hydroxylapatite exchange assay) or crude nuclear fractions (protamine sulfate precipitated nuclear exchange assay) revealed two binding components: type I which conforms to the classically described estrogen receptor and type II which has a lower affinity for estradiol but a greater capacity than type I sites. Exposure of cytosol to charcoal partially removes bound ³H-estradiol from type II sites but not from type I sites. Type II sites are specific for estrogens and do not translocate from the cytoplasmic to the nuclear compartment. Although Type II sites undergo dissociation on prelabeled sucrose density gradients, they are readily demonstrable by postlabeling sucrose density gradient fractions and hydroxylapatite adsorption. Since the presence of type II sites interferes with the measurement of the estrogen receptor (type I) which may also undergo dissociation on sucrose gradients, we recommended that the technique of postlabeling be used for the sucrose gradient analysis of type I and II sites. In addition, saturation assays should be performed over a wide range of ³H-es-tradiol concentrations (0.1–120 nM) for proper evaluation of both sites. These considerations may contribute to more accurate predictions about the response of breast cancers to endocrine therapies.     

Time-lapse Imaging of Primary Preneoplastic Mammary Epithelial Cells Derived from Genetically Engineered Mouse Models of Breast Cancer

Time-lapse imaging can be used to compare behavior of cultured primary preneoplastic mammary epithelial cells derived from different genetically engineered mouse models of breast cancer. For example, time between cell divisions (cell lifetimes), apoptotic cell numbers, evolution of morphological changes, and mechanism of colony formation can be quantified and compared in cells carrying specific genetic lesions. Primary mammary epithelial cell cultures are generated from mammary glands without palpable tumor. Glands are carefully resected with clear separation from adjacent muscle, lymph nodes are removed, and single-cell suspensions of enriched mammary epithelial cells are generated by mincing mammary tissue followed by enzymatic dissociation and filtration. Single-cell suspensions are plated and placed directly under a microscope within an incubator chamber for live-cell imaging. Sixteen 650 μm x 700 μm fields in a 4x4 configuration from each well of a 6-well plate are imaged every 15 min for 5 days. Time-lapse images are examined directly to measure cellular behaviors that can include mechanism and frequency of cell colony formation within the first 24 hr of plating the cells (aggregation versus cell proliferation), incidence of apoptosis, and phasing of morphological changes. Single-cell tracking is used to generate cell fate maps for measurement of individual cell lifetimes and investigation of cell division patterns. Quantitative data are statistically analyzed to assess for significant differences in behavior correlated with specific genetic lesions.     

Pathway-Specific Engineered Mouse Allograft Models Functionally Recapitulate Human Serous Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

The high mortality rate from ovarian cancers can be attributed to late-stage diagnosis and lack of effective treatment. Despite enormous effort to develop better targeted therapies, platinum-based chemotherapy still remains the standard of care for ovarian cancer patients, and resistance occurs at a high rate. One of the rate limiting factors for translation of new drug discoveries into clinical treatments has been the lack of suitable preclinical cancer models with high predictive value. We previously generated genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models based on perturbation of Tp53 and Rb with or without Brca1 or Brca2 that develop serous epithelial ovarian cancer (SEOC) closely resembling the human disease on histologic and molecular levels. Here, we describe an adaptation of these GEM models to orthotopic allografts that uniformly develop tumors with short latency and are ideally suited for routine preclinical studies. Ovarian tumors deficient in Brca1 respond to treatment with cisplatin and olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, whereas Brca1-wild type tumors are non-responsive to treatment, recapitulating the relative sensitivities observed in patients. These mouse models provide the opportunity for evaluation of effective therapeutics, including prediction of differential responses in Brca1-wild type and Brca1–deficient tumors and development of relevant biomarkers.     

人尿激酶原乳腺定位转基因小鼠的建立

应用大鼠β乳酪蛋白基因的上游调控序列和人尿激酶原ｃＤＮＡ构建成功了乳腺定位表达载体．用显微注射的手段导入到受精卵的雄前核,从注射的３００枚受精卵中,１４０枚被移植到９只假孕的受体小鼠．结果从获得的子一代小鼠中,经ＰＣＲ和Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ证实,有３只转基因阳性的小鼠．