1
|
Roarty K, Echeverria GV. Laboratory Models for Investigating Breast Cancer Therapy Resistance and Metastasis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:645698. [PMID: 33777805 PMCID: PMC7988094 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.645698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
While numerous therapies are highly efficacious in early-stage breast cancers and in particular subsets of breast cancers, therapeutic resistance and metastasis unfortunately arise in many patients. In many cases, tumors that are resistant to standard of care therapies, as well as tumors that have metastasized, are treatable but incurable with existing clinical strategies. Both therapy resistance and metastasis are multi-step processes during which tumor cells must overcome diverse environmental and selective hurdles. Mechanisms by which tumor cells achieve this are numerous and include acquisition of invasive and migratory capabilities, cell-intrinsic genetic and/or epigenetic adaptations, clonal selection, immune evasion, interactions with stromal cells, entering a state of dormancy or senescence, and maintaining self-renewal capacity. To overcome therapy resistance and metastasis in breast cancer, the ability to effectively model each of these mechanisms in the laboratory is essential. Herein we review historic and the current state-of-the-art laboratory model systems and experimental approaches used to investigate breast cancer metastasis and resistance to standard of care therapeutics. While each model system has inherent limitations, they have provided invaluable insights, many of which have translated into regimens undergoing clinical evaluation. We will discuss the limitations and advantages of a variety of model systems that have been used to investigate breast cancer metastasis and therapy resistance and outline potential strategies to improve experimental modeling to further our knowledge of these processes, which will be crucial for the continued development of effective breast cancer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Roarty
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Gloria V Echeverria
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
GPNMB augments Wnt-1 mediated breast tumor initiation and growth by enhancing PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway signaling and β-catenin activity. Oncogene 2019; 38:5294-5307. [PMID: 30914799 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0793-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Glycoprotein Nmb (GPNMB) is overexpressed in triple-negative and basal-like breast cancers and its expression is predictive of poor prognosis within this aggressive breast cancer subtype. GPNMB promotes breast cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis; however, its role in mammary tumor initiation remains unknown. To address this question, we overexpressed GPNMB in the mammary epithelium to generate MMTV/GPNMB transgenic mice and crossed these animals to the MMTV/Wnt-1 mouse model, which is known to recapitulate features of human basal breast cancers. We show that GPNMB alone does not display oncogenic properties; however, its expression dramatically accelerates tumor onset in MMTV/Wnt-1 mice. MMTV/Wnt-1 × MMTV/GPNMB bigenic mice also exhibit a significant increase in the growth rate of established primary tumors, which is attributable to increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis. To elucidate molecular mechanisms underpinning the tumor-promoting effects of GPNMB in this context, we interrogated activated pathways in tumors derived from the MMTV/Wnt-1 and MMTV/Wnt-1 × MMTV/GPNMB mice using RPPA analysis. These data revealed that MMTV/Wnt-1 × MMTV/GPNMB bigenic tumors exhibit a pro-growth signature characterized by elevated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and increased β-catenin activity. Furthermore, we extended these observations to an independent Wnt-1 expressing model of aggressive breast cancer, and confirmed that GPNMB enhances canonical Wnt pathway activation, as evidenced by increased β-catenin transcriptional activity, in breast cancer cells and tumors co-expressing Wnt-1 and GPNMB. GPNMB-dependent engagement of β-catenin occurred, in part, through AKT activation. Taken together, these data ascribe a novel, pro-growth role for GPNMB in Wnt-1 expressing basal breast cancers.
Collapse
|
3
|
Swan R, Kim SJ, Campbell JP, Paul Chan RV, Sonmez K, Taylor KD, Li X, Chen YDI, Rotter JI, Simmons C, Chiang MF. The genetics of retinopathy of prematurity: a model for neovascular retinal disease. Ophthalmol Retina 2018; 2:949-962. [PMID: 30250936 PMCID: PMC6150458 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2018.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
TOPIC Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative retinal vascular disease in premature infants, and is a major cause of childhood blindness worldwide. In addition to known clinical risk factors such as low birth weight and gestational age, there is a growing body of evidence supporting a genetic basis for ROP. CLINICAL RELEVANCE While comorbidities and environmental factors have been identified as contributing to ROP outcomes in premature infants, most notably gestational age and oxygen, some infants progress to severe disease despite absence of these clinical risk factors. The contribution of genetic factors may explain these differences and allow better detection and treatment of infants at risk for severe ROP. METHODS To comprehensively review genetic factors that potentially contribute to the development and severity of ROP, we conducted a literature search focusing on the genetic basis for ROP. Terms related to other heritable retinal vascular diseases like "familial exudative vitreoretinopathy", as well as to genes implicated in animal models of ROP, were also used to capture research in diseases with similar pathogenesis to ROP in humans with known genetic components. RESULTS Contributions across several genetic domains are described including vascular endothelial growth factor, the Wnt signaling pathway, insulin-like growth factor 1, inflammatory mediators, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. CONCLUSIONS Most candidate gene studies of ROP have limitations such as inability to replicate results, conflicting results from various studies, small sample size, and differences in clinical characterization. Additional difficulty arises in separating the contribution of genetic factors like Wnt signaling to ROP and prematurity. Although studies have implicated involvement of multiple signaling pathways in ROP, the genetics of ROP have not been clearly elucidated. Next-generation sequencing and genome-wide association studies have potential to expand future understanding of underlying genetic risk factors and pathophysiology of ROP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Swan
- Department of Medical Informatics & Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Sang Jin Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - J. Peter Campbell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | - R. V. Paul Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Center for Global Health, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Kemal Sonmez
- Center for Spoken Language Understanding, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Kent D. Taylor
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences and Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
| | - Xiaohui Li
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences and Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
| | - Yii-Der Ida Chen
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences and Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
| | - Jerome I. Rotter
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences and Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
| | - Charles Simmons
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michael F. Chiang
- Department of Medical Informatics & Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dudley JP, Golovkina TV, Ross SR. Lessons Learned from Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus in Animal Models. ILAR J 2017; 57:12-23. [PMID: 27034391 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilv044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), which was discovered as a milk-transmitted, infectious, cancer-inducing agent in the 1930s, has been used as an animal model for the study of retroviral infection and transmission, antiviral immune responses, and breast cancer and lymphoma biology. The main target cells for MMTV infection in vivo are cells of the immune system and mammary epithelial cells. Although the host mounts an immune response to the virus, MMTV has evolved multiple means of evading this response. MMTV causes mammary tumors when the provirus integrates into the mammary epithelial and lymphoid cell genome during viral replication and thereby activates cellular oncogene expression. Thus, tumor induction is a by-product of the infection cycle. A number of important oncogenes have been discovered by carrying out MMTV integration site analysis, some of which may play a role in human breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaquelin P Dudley
- Jaquelin P. Dudley, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Infectious Disease and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. Tatyana V. Golovkina, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Susan R. Ross, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Microbiology in the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tatyana V Golovkina
- Jaquelin P. Dudley, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Infectious Disease and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. Tatyana V. Golovkina, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Susan R. Ross, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Microbiology in the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Susan R Ross
- Jaquelin P. Dudley, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Infectious Disease and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. Tatyana V. Golovkina, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Susan R. Ross, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Microbiology in the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lamb R, Bonuccelli G, Ozsvári B, Peiris-Pagès M, Fiorillo M, Smith DL, Bevilacqua G, Mazzanti CM, McDonnell LA, Naccarato AG, Chiu M, Wynne L, Martinez-Outschoorn UE, Sotgia F, Lisanti MP. Mitochondrial mass, a new metabolic biomarker for stem-like cancer cells: Understanding WNT/FGF-driven anabolic signaling. Oncotarget 2016; 6:30453-71. [PMID: 26421711 PMCID: PMC4741544 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we developed an isogenic cell model of "stemness" to facilitate protein biomarker discovery in breast cancer. For this purpose, we used knowledge gained previously from the study of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV). MMTV initiates mammary tumorigenesis in mice by promoter insertion adjacent to two main integration sites, namely Int-1 (Wnt1) and Int-2 (Fgf3), which ultimately activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling, driving the propagation of mammary cancer stem cells (CSCs). Thus, to develop a humanized model of MMTV signaling, we over-expressed WNT1 and FGF3 in MCF7 cells, an ER(+) human breast cancer cell line. We then validated that MCF7 cells over-expressing both WNT1 and FGF3 show a 3.5-fold increase in mammosphere formation, and that conditioned media from these cells is also sufficient to promote stem cell activity in untransfected parental MCF7 and T47D cells, as WNT1 and FGF3 are secreted factors. Proteomic analysis of this model system revealed the induction of i) EMT markers, ii) mitochondrial proteins, iii) glycolytic enzymes and iv) protein synthesis machinery, consistent with an anabolic CSC phenotype. MitoTracker staining validated the expected WNT1/FGF3-induced increase in mitochondrial mass and activity, which presumably reflects increased mitochondrial biogenesis. Importantly, many of the proteins that were up-regulated by WNT/FGF-signaling in MCF7 cells, were also transcriptionally over-expressed in human breast cancer cells in vivo, based on the bioinformatic analysis of public gene expression datasets of laser-captured patient samples. As such, this isogenic cell model should accelerate the discovery of new biomarkers to predict clinical outcome in breast cancer, facilitating the development of personalized medicine.Finally, we used mitochondrial mass as a surrogate marker for increased mitochondrial biogenesis in untransfected MCF7 cells. As predicted, metabolic fractionation of parental MCF7 cells, via MitoTracker staining, indicated that high mitochondrial mass is a new metabolic biomarker for the enrichment of anabolic CSCs, as functionally assessed by mammosphere-forming activity. This observation has broad implications for understanding the role of mitochondrial biogenesis in the propagation of stem-like cancer cells. Technically, this general metabolic approach could be applied to any cancer type, to identify and target the mitochondrial-rich CSC population.The implications of our work for understanding the role of mitochondrial metabolism in viral oncogenesis driven by random promoter insertions are also discussed, in the context of MMTV and ALV infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Lamb
- The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,The Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism (MCCM), Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Gloria Bonuccelli
- The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,The Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism (MCCM), Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Béla Ozsvári
- The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,The Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism (MCCM), Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Maria Peiris-Pagès
- The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,The Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism (MCCM), Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Marco Fiorillo
- The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,The Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism (MCCM), Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,The Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, The University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Duncan L Smith
- The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Generoso Bevilacqua
- FPS - The Pisa Science Foundation, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Pathology, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Maybo Chiu
- The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,The Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism (MCCM), Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Luke Wynne
- The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,The Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism (MCCM), Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Federica Sotgia
- The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,The Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism (MCCM), Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Michael P Lisanti
- The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,The Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism (MCCM), Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Menezes ME, Das SK, Emdad L, Windle JJ, Wang XY, Sarkar D, Fisher PB. Genetically engineered mice as experimental tools to dissect the critical events in breast cancer. Adv Cancer Res 2014; 121:331-382. [PMID: 24889535 PMCID: PMC4349377 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800249-0.00008-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Elucidating the mechanism of pathogenesis of breast cancer has greatly benefited from breakthrough advances in both genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models and xenograft transplantation technologies. The vast array of breast cancer mouse models currently available is testimony to the complexity of mammary tumorigenesis and attempts by investigators to accurately portray the heterogeneity and intricacies of this disease. Distinct molecular changes that drive various aspects of tumorigenesis, such as alterations in tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis, invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance have been evaluated using the currently available GEM breast cancer models. GEM breast cancer models are also being exploited to evaluate and validate the efficacy of novel therapeutics, vaccines, and imaging modalities for potential use in the clinic. This review provides a synopsis of the various GEM models that are expanding our knowledge of the nuances of breast cancer development and progression and can be instrumental in the development of novel prevention and therapeutic approaches for this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell E Menezes
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jolene J Windle
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Xiang-Yang Wang
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Boras-Granic K, Hamel PA. Wnt-signalling in the embryonic mammary gland. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2013; 18:155-63. [PMID: 23660702 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-013-9280-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The first member of the Wnt-family ligands was identified 30 years ago as a factor in mouse mammary tumours whose expression was deregulated due to the promoter activity emanating from the proximal integration of the Mouse Mammary Tumour Virus genome (Nusse and Varmus, Embo J 31:2670-84, 2012). The Wnt-ligands invoke a number of molecular-genetic signalling cascades fundamental to the patterning of developing tissues and organs during embryogenesis as well as during postnatal development. The Wnt-signalling cascade that controls the activities of β-catenin and the T-cell Factor (Tcf)/Lympoid enhancer factor (Lef1) plays a fundamental role in control of all stages of embryonic mammary gland development. We provide here a brief overview of the known aspects of Wnt-signalling activities in the embryonic mammary gland and its interactions with other signalling cascades in this developing tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kata Boras-Granic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Klijn C, Koudijs MJ, Kool J, ten Hoeve J, Boer M, de Moes J, Akhtar W, van Miltenburg M, Vendel-Zwaagstra A, Reinders MJT, Adams DJ, van Lohuizen M, Hilkens J, Wessels LFA, Jonkers J. Analysis of tumor heterogeneity and cancer gene networks using deep sequencing of MMTV-induced mouse mammary tumors. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62113. [PMID: 23690930 PMCID: PMC3653918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer develops through a multistep process in which normal cells progress to malignant tumors via the evolution of their genomes as a result of the acquisition of mutations in cancer driver genes. The number, identity and mode of action of cancer driver genes, and how they contribute to tumor evolution is largely unknown. This study deployed the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) as an insertional mutagen to find both the driver genes and the networks in which they function. Using deep insertion site sequencing we identified around 31000 retroviral integration sites in 604 MMTV-induced mammary tumors from mice with mammary gland-specific deletion of Trp53, Pten heterozygous knockout mice, or wildtype strains. We identified 18 known common integration sites (CISs) and 12 previously unknown CISs marking new candidate cancer genes. Members of the Wnt, Fgf, Fgfr, Rspo and Pdgfr gene families were commonly mutated in a mutually exclusive fashion. The sequence data we generated yielded also information on the clonality of insertions in individual tumors, allowing us to develop a data-driven model of MMTV-induced tumor development. Insertional mutations near Wnt and Fgf genes mark the earliest "initiating" events in MMTV induced tumorigenesis, whereas Fgfr genes are targeted later during tumor progression. Our data shows that insertional mutagenesis can be used to discover the mutational networks, the timing of mutations, and the genes that initiate and drive tumor evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan Klijn
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco J. Koudijs
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap Kool
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle ten Hoeve
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mandy Boer
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost de Moes
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Waseem Akhtar
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martine van Miltenburg
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - David J. Adams
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Maarten van Lohuizen
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John Hilkens
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lodewyk F. A. Wessels
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Delft Bioinformatics Lab, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Jonkers
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Callahan R, Mudunuri U, Bargo S, Raafat A, McCurdy D, Boulanger C, Lowther W, Stephens R, Luke BT, Stewart C, Wu X, Munroe D, Smith GH. Genes affected by mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) proviral insertions in mouse mammary tumors are deregulated or mutated in primary human mammary tumors. Oncotarget 2012; 3:1320-34. [PMID: 23131872 PMCID: PMC3717796 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of mutations is a contributing factor in the initiation of premalignant mammary lesions and their progression to malignancy and metastasis. We have used a mouse model in which the carcinogen is the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) which induces clonal premalignant mammary lesions and malignant mammary tumors by insertional mutagenesis. Identification of the genes and signaling pathways affected in MMTV-induced mouse mammary lesions provides a rationale for determining whether genetic alteration of the human orthologues of these genes/pathways may contribute to human breast carcinogenesis. A high-throughput platform for inverse PCR to identify MMTV-host junction fragments and their nucleotide sequences in a large panel of MMTV-induced lesions was developed. Validation of the genes affected by MMTV-insertion was carried out by microarray analysis. Common integration site (CIS) means that the gene was altered by an MMTV proviral insertion in at least two independent lesions arising in different hosts. Three of the new genes identified as CIS for MMTV were assayed for their capability to confer on HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells the ability for invasion, anchorage independent growth and tumor development in nude mice. Analysis of MMTV induced mammary premalignant hyperplastic outgrowth (HOG) lines and mammary tumors led to the identification of CIS restricted to 35 loci. Within these loci members of the Wnt, Fgf and Rspo gene families plus two linked genes (Npm3 and Ddn) were frequently activated in tumors induced by MMTV. A second group of 15 CIS occur at a low frequency (2-5 observations) in mammary HOGs or tumors. In this latter group the expression of either Phf19 or Sdc2 was shown to increase HC11 cells invasion capability. Foxl1 expression conferred on HC11 cells the capability for anchorage-independent colony formation in soft agar and tumor development in nude mice. The published transcriptome and nucleotide sequence analysis of gene expression in primary human breast tumors was interrogated. Twenty of the human orthologues of MMTV CIS associated genes are deregulated and/or mutated in human breast tumors.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
- Humans
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/genetics
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Mutagenesis, Insertional
- Mutation
- Proviruses/genetics
- Transfection
- Tumor Virus Infections/genetics
- Tumor Virus Infections/virology
- Virus Integration/genetics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Callahan
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute; Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Uma Mudunuri
- Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Sharon Bargo
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute; Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ahmed Raafat
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute; Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David McCurdy
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute; Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Corinne Boulanger
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute; Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - William Lowther
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute; Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robert Stephens
- Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Brian T. Luke
- Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Claudia Stewart
- Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Technology, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Xiaolin Wu
- Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Technology, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - David Munroe
- Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Technology, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Gilbert H. Smith
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute; Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Eckhardt BL, Francis PA, Parker BS, Anderson RL. Strategies for the discovery and development of therapies for metastatic breast cancer. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2012; 11:479-97. [PMID: 22653217 DOI: 10.1038/nrd2372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Nearly all deaths caused by solid cancers occur as a result of metastasis--the formation of secondary tumours in distant organs such as the lungs, liver, brain and bone. A major obstruction to the development of drugs with anti-metastatic efficacy is our fragmented understanding of how tumours 'evolve' and metastasize, at both the biological and genetic levels. Furthermore, although there is significant overlap in the metastatic process among different types of cancer, there are also marked differences in the propensity to metastasize, the extent of metastasis, the sites to which the tumour metastasizes, the kinetics of the process and the mechanisms involved. Here, we consider the case of breast cancer, which has some marked distinguishing features compared with other types of cancer. Considerable progress has been made in the development of preclinical models and in the identification of relevant signalling pathways and genetic regulators of metastatic breast cancer, and we discuss how these might facilitate the development of novel targeted anti-metastatic drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bedrich L Eckhardt
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Klauzinska M, Baljinnyam B, Raafat A, Rodriguez-Canales J, Strizzi L, Greer YE, Rubin JS, Callahan R. Rspo2/Int7 regulates invasiveness and tumorigenic properties of mammary epithelial cells. J Cell Physiol 2012; 227:1960-71. [PMID: 21732367 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Rspo2 was identified as a novel common integration site (CIS) for the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) in viral induced mouse mammary tumors. Here we show that Rspo2 modulates Wnt signaling in mouse mammary epithelial cells. Co-expression of both genes resulted in an intermediate growth phenotype on plastic and had minor effects on the growth-promoting properties of Wnt1 in soft agar. However, individual Rspo2 and Wnt1 HC11 transfectants as well as the double transfectant were tumorigenic in athymic nude mice, with tumors from each line having distinctive histological characteristics. Rspo2 and Rspo2/Wnt1 tumors contained many spindle cells, consistent with an epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) phenotype. When Rspo2 and Rspo2/Wnt1 tumor cells were transferred into naïve mice, they exhibited greater metastatic activity than cells derived from Wnt1 tumors. For comparison, C57MG/Wnt1/Rspo2 co-transfectants exhibited invasive properties in three-dimensional (3D) Matrigel cultures that were not seen with cells transfected only with Wnt1 or Rspo2. Use of Dickkopf-1, a specific antagonist of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, or short hairpin RNA targeting β-catenin expression demonstrated that the invasive activity was not mediated by β-catenin. Our results indicate that Rspo2 and Wnt1 have mutually distinct effects on mammary epithelial cell growth and these effects are context-dependent. While Rspo2 and Wnt1 act synergistically in the β-catenin pathway, other mechanisms are responsible for the invasive properties of stable double transfectants observed in 3D Matrigel cultures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Klauzinska
- Oncogenetics Section, Mammary Biology and Tumorigenesis Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kakarala M, Brenner DE, Korkaya H, Cheng C, Tazi K, Ginestier C, Liu S, Dontu G, Wicha MS. Targeting breast stem cells with the cancer preventive compounds curcumin and piperine. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2009; 122:777-85. [PMID: 19898931 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-009-0612-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 279] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2009] [Accepted: 10/20/2009] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The cancer stem cell hypothesis asserts that malignancies arise in tissue stem and/or progenitor cells through the dysregulation or acquisition of self-renewal. In order to determine whether the dietary polyphenols, curcumin, and piperine are able to modulate the self-renewal of normal and malignant breast stem cells, we examined the effects of these compounds on mammosphere formation, expression of the breast stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and Wnt signaling. Mammosphere formation assays were performed after curcumin, piperine, and control treatment in unsorted normal breast epithelial cells and normal stem and early progenitor cells, selected by ALDH positivity. Wnt signaling was examined using a Topflash assay. Both curcumin and piperine inhibited mammosphere formation, serial passaging, and percent of ALDH+ cells by 50% at 5 microM and completely at 10 microM concentration in normal and malignant breast cells. There was no effect on cellular differentiation. Wnt signaling was inhibited by both curcumin and piperine by 50% at 5 microM and completely at 10 microM. Curcumin and piperine separately, and in combination, inhibit breast stem cell self-renewal but do not cause toxicity to differentiated cells. These compounds could be potential cancer preventive agents. Mammosphere formation assays may be a quantifiable biomarker to assess cancer preventive agent efficacy and Wnt signaling assessment can be a mechanistic biomarker for use in human clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madhuri Kakarala
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, 2150 Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yang ZQ, Liu G, Bollig-Fischer A, Haddad R, Tarca AL, Ethier SP. Methylation-associated silencing of SFRP1 with an 8p11-12 amplification inhibits canonical and non-canonical WNT pathways in breast cancers. Int J Cancer 2009; 125:1613-21. [PMID: 19569235 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Recently, we analysed the 8p11-12 genomic region for copy number and gene expression changes in a panel of human breast cancer cell lines and primary specimens. We found that SFRP1 (Secreted frizzled related protein 1) is frequently under expressed even in breast tumours with copy number increases in this genomic region. SFRP1 encodes a WNT signalling antagonist, and plays a role in the development of multiple solid tumour types. In this study, we analysed methylation-associated silencing of the SFRP1 gene in breast cancer cells with the 8p11-12 amplicon, and investigated the tumour suppressor properties of SFRP1 in breast cancer cells. SFRP1 expression was markedly reduced in both the breast cancer cell lines and primary tumour specimens relative to normal primary human mammary epithelial cells even when SFRP1 is amplified. Suppression of SFRP1 expression in breast cancer cells with an SFRP1 gene amplification is associated with SFRP1 promoter methylation. Furthermore, restoration of SFRP1 expression suppressed the growth of breast cancer cells in monolayer, and inhibited anchorage independent growth. We also examined the relationship between the silencing of SFRP1 gene and WNT signalling in breast cancer. Ectopic SFRP1 expression in breast cancer cells suppressed both canonical and non-canonical WNT signalling pathways, and SFRP1 expression was negatively associated with the expression of a subset of WNT responsive genes including RET and MSX2. Thus, down-regulation of SFRP1 can be triggered by epigenetic and/or genetic events and may contribute to the tumourigenesis of human breast cancer through both canonical and non-canonical WNT signalling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeng-Quan Yang
- Department of Pathology, Breast Cancer Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Callahan R, Smith GH. Common integration sites for MMTV in viral induced mouse mammary tumors. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2008; 13:309-21. [PMID: 18709449 PMCID: PMC3104473 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-008-9092-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2008] [Accepted: 07/04/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The paradigm of mammary cancer induction by the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is used to illustrate the body of evidence that supports the hypothesis that mammary epithelial stem/progenitor cells represent targets for oncogenic transformation. It is argued that this is not a special case applicable only to MMTV-induced mammary cancer, because MMTV acts as an environmental mutagen producing random interruptions in the somatic DNA of infected cells by insertion of proviral DNA copies. In addition to disrupting the host genome, the proviral DNA also influences gene expression through its associated enhancer sequences over significant inter-genomic distances. Genes commonly affected by MMTV insertion in multiple individual tumors include, the Wnt, FGF, RSpo gene families as well as eIF3e and Notch4. All of these gene families are known to play essential roles in stem cell maintenance and behavior in a variety of organs. The MMTV-induced mutations accumulate in cells that are long-lived and possess the properties of stem cells, namely, self-renewal and the capacity to produce divergent epithelial progeny through asymmetric division. The evidence shows that epithelial cells with these properties are present in normal mammary glands, may be infected with MMTV, become transformed to produce epithelial hyperplasia through MMTV-induced mutagenesis and progress to frank mammary malignancy. Retroviral marking via MMTV proviral insertion demonstrates that this process progresses from a single mammary epithelial cell that possesses all of the features ascribed to tissue-specific stem cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Callahan
- Mammary Gland Biology and Tumorigenesis Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Building 37/Room 1118A, MSC4254, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gilbert H. Smith
- National Cancer Institute, Building 37/Room 1112A, MSC 4254, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Acevedo VD, Gangula RD, Freeman KW, Li R, Zhang Y, Wang F, Ayala GE, Peterson LE, Ittmann M, Spencer DM. Inducible FGFR-1 activation leads to irreversible prostate adenocarcinoma and an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Cancer Cell 2007; 12:559-71. [PMID: 18068632 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2007.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2007] [Revised: 09/03/2007] [Accepted: 11/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-1 (FGFR1) is commonly overexpressed in advanced prostate cancer (PCa). To investigate causality, we utilized an inducible FGFR1 (iFGFR1) prostate mouse model. Activation of iFGFR1 with chemical inducers of dimerization (CID) led to highly synchronous, step-wise progression to adenocarcinoma that is linked to an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). iFGFR1 inactivation by CID withdrawal led to full reversion of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, whereas PCa lesions became iFGFR1-independent. Gene expression profiling at distinct stages of tumor progression revealed an increase in EMT-associated Sox9 and changes in the Wnt signaling pathway, including Fzd4, which was validated in human PCa. The iFGFR1 model clearly implicates FGFR1 in PCa progression and demonstrates how CID-inducible models can help evaluate candidate molecules in tumor progression and maintenance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor D Acevedo
- Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Vernon AE, Bakewell SJ, Chodosh LA. Deciphering the molecular basis of breast cancer metastasis with mouse models. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2007; 8:199-213. [PMID: 17657606 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-007-9041-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer begins as a localized disease, but has the potential to spread to distant sites within the body. This process--known as metastasis--is the leading cause of death from breast cancer. Whether the ability of cancer cells to metastasize is an intrinsic or acquired feature is currently a topic of considerable debate. Nevertheless, the key cellular events required for metastasis are generally accepted. These include invasion of the surrounding stromal tissue, intravasation, evasion of programmed cell death, arrest within the vasculature at a distant site, extravasation, and establishment and growth within a new microenvironment. The development of mouse models that faithfully mimic critical aspects of human neoplasia has been instrumental in framing our current understanding of multistage carcinogenesis. This review examines the advantages and limitations of existing murine models for mammary carcinogenesis for probing the molecular mechanisms that contribute to metastasis, as well as non-invasive tumor imaging approaches to facilitate these investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann E Vernon
- Department of Cancer Biology, and The Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 612 BRB II/III, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Theodorou V, Kimm MA, Boer M, Wessels L, Theelen W, Jonkers J, Hilkens J. MMTV insertional mutagenesis identifies genes, gene families and pathways involved in mammary cancer. Nat Genet 2007; 39:759-69. [PMID: 17468756 DOI: 10.1038/ng2034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2006] [Accepted: 03/29/2007] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We performed a high-throughput retroviral insertional mutagenesis screen in mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-induced mammary tumors and identified 33 common insertion sites, of which 17 genes were previously not known to be associated with mammary cancer and 13 had not previously been linked to cancer in general. Although members of the Wnt and fibroblast growth factors (Fgf) families were frequently tagged, our exhaustive screening for MMTV insertion sites uncovered a new repertoire of candidate breast cancer oncogenes. We validated one of these genes, Rspo3, as an oncogene by overexpression in a p53-deficient mammary epithelial cell line. The human orthologs of the candidate oncogenes were frequently deregulated in human breast cancers and associated with several tumor parameters. Computational analysis of all MMTV-tagged genes uncovered specific gene families not previously associated with cancer and showed a significant overrepresentation of protein domains and signaling pathways mainly associated with development and growth factor signaling. Comparison of all tagged genes in MMTV and Moloney murine leukemia virus-induced malignancies showed that both viruses target mostly different genes that act predominantly in distinct pathways.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
- Epithelium/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genes, Neoplasm/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/genetics
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Multigene Family/genetics
- Mutagenesis, Insertional/genetics
- Oncogenic Viruses/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
- Virus Integration
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vassiliki Theodorou
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Coste I, Freund JN, Spaderna S, Brabletz T, Renno T. Precancerous lesions upon sporadic activation of beta-catenin in mice. Gastroenterology 2007; 132:1299-308. [PMID: 17408631 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2007.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2006] [Accepted: 12/14/2006] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Inappropriate activation of beta-catenin in adult tissues is associated with a wide variety of cancers, especially in the digestive tract. Classic transgenic and knockout murine models in which beta-catenin is activated in large fields of cells have provided experimental support in favor of a role for this molecule in tumorigenesis. However, these models do not reproduce the sporadic nature of the majority of human cancers, beginning with the activation of an oncogene at random in a single cell. METHODS We used the "hit and run" strategy to generate a mouse model in which the expression of an activated form of beta-catenin occurs sporadically in vivo. RESULTS Sporadic, multifocal lesions were observed in the stomach of 3% of mice aged 8 months and older. These lesions were associated with loss of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), and a causal relationship between beta-catenin activation and Shh inhibition was established in gastric cells in vitro. No lesion was detected in the intestine or in the liver. In addition, one third of female mutant mice developed benign perimammary papillomas. Mutant mice were also hypersensitive to chemically induced premalignant skin lesions. CONCLUSIONS These results challenge the view that activation of beta-catenin induces malignant cancerogenesis, because they show in mice that sporadically activated beta-catenin is sufficient for tumor initiation, yet without further malignant progression, and that it sensitizes cells to environmental hits. This model represents a powerful tool to investigate the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in tumor progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Coste
- Schering-Plough Laboratory for Immunological Research, Dardilly, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zheng P, Vassena R, Latham K. Expression and downregulation of WNT signaling pathway genes in rhesus monkey oocytes and embryos. Mol Reprod Dev 2007; 73:667-77. [PMID: 16511889 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian WNT genes encode secreted glycoproteins that are conserved homologues of the Drosophila Wingless gene, which plays a crucial role in Drosophila development. Recently, WNT pathway signaling has been implicated in ovarian development, oogenesis, and early development. We sought to evaluate whether these genes may contribute to the formation of healthy human oocytes or embryos, and whether the expression of these genes could provide informative markers of human oocyte and embryo quality. To do this, we employed the primate embryo gene expression resource (PREGER; www.preger.org) to examine expression of mRNAs encoding 38 components of the WNT signaling pathway in rhesus monkey oocytes and embryos as a nonhuman primate model. We observed considerable conservation between rhesus monkey and mouse of expression of WNT, FZD, and effector gene mRNAs, and a generalized downregulation of genes encoding key components of the WNT signaling pathway during preimplantation development. Our results support a role for WNT signaling during oocyte growth or maturation, but not during preimplantation development. Additionally, we observed differences between in vitro cultured and in vivo developing blastocysts, indicating possible effects of culture on WNT signaling during the peri-implantation period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zheng
- The Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
Metastatic spread of cancer cells is the main cause of death of breast cancer patients, and elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying this process is a major focus in cancer research. The identification of appropriate therapeutic targets and proof-of-concept experimentation involves an increasing number of experimental mouse models, including spontaneous and chemically induced carcinogenesis, tumor transplantation, and transgenic and/or knockout mice. Here we give a progress report on how mouse models have contributed to our understanding of the molecular processes underlying breast cancer metastasis and on how such experimentation can open new avenues to the development of innovative cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fantozzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Department of Clinical-Biological Sciences (DKBW), Center of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 28, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Christofori
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Department of Clinical-Biological Sciences (DKBW), Center of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 28, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Labbé E, Lock L, Letamendia A, Gorska AE, Gryfe R, Gallinger S, Moses HL, Attisano L. Transcriptional Cooperation between the Transforming Growth Factor-β and Wnt Pathways in Mammary and Intestinal Tumorigenesis. Cancer Res 2007; 67:75-84. [PMID: 17210685 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-2559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and Wnt ligands function in numerous developmental processes, and alterations of both signaling pathways are associated with common pathologic conditions, including cancer. To obtain insight into the extent of interdependence of the two signaling cascades in regulating biological responses, we used an oligonucleotide microarray approach to identify Wnt and TGF-beta target genes using normal murine mammary gland epithelial cells as a model. Combination treatment of TGF-beta and Wnt revealed a novel transcriptional program that could not have been predicted from single ligand treatments and included a cohort of genes that were cooperatively induced by both pathways. These included both novel and known components or modulators of TGF-beta and Wnt pathways, suggesting that mutual feedback is a feature of the coordinated activities of the ligands. The majority of the cooperative targets display increased expression in tumors derived from either Min (many intestinal neoplasia) or mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-Wnt1 mice, two models of Wnt-induced tumors, with nine of these genes (Ankrd1, Ccnd1, Ctgf, Gpc1, Hs6st2, IL11, Inhba, Mmp14, and Robo1) showing increases in both. Reduction of TGF-beta signaling by expression of a dominant-negative TGF-beta type II receptor in bigenic MMTV-Wnt1/DNIIR mice increased mammary tumor latency and was correlated with a decrease in expression of Gpc1, Inhba, and Robo1, three of the TGF-beta/Wnt cooperative targets. Our results indicate that the TGF-beta and Wnt/beta-catenin pathways are firmly intertwined and generate a unique gene expression pattern that can contribute to tumor progression.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adenoma/genetics
- Adenoma/metabolism
- Adenoma/pathology
- Animals
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Intestinal Neoplasms/genetics
- Intestinal Neoplasms/metabolism
- Intestinal Neoplasms/pathology
- L Cells
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Signal Transduction
- Transcription, Genetic
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Wnt Proteins/genetics
- Wnt Proteins/metabolism
- Wnt3 Protein
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Labbé
- Departments of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
For over a century, mouse mammary tumor biology and the associated Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) have served as the foundation for experimental cancer research, in general, and, in particular, experimental breast cancer research. Spontaneous mouse mammary tumors were the basis for studies of the natural history of neoplasia, oncogenic viruses, host responses, endocrinology, and neoplastic progression. However, lacking formal proof of a human mammary tumor virus, the preeminence of the mouse model faded in the 1980s. Since the late 1980s, genetically engineered mice (GEM) have proven extremely useful for studying breast cancer and have become the animal model for human breast cancer. Hundreds of mouse models of human breast cancer have been developed since the first demonstration, in 1984, that the mouse mammary gland could be molecularly targeted and used to test the oncogenicity of candidate human genes. Now, very few scientists can avoid using a mouse model to test the biology of their favorite gene. The GEM have attracted a new generation of molecular and cellular biologists eager to apply their skills to these surrogates of the human disease. Newcomers often enter the field without an appreciation of the origins of mouse mammary tumor biology and the basis for many of the prevailing concepts. Our purpose in writing this short history of mouse mammary tumor biology is to provide a historical perspective for the benefit of the newcomers. If Einstein was correct in that "we stand on the shoulders of giants," the neophytes should meet their giants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Cardiff
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ottewell PD, Coleman RE, Holen I. From genetic abnormality to metastases: murine models of breast cancer and their use in the development of anticancer therapies. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2006; 96:101-13. [PMID: 16319986 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-005-9067-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Numerous mouse models of mammary cancer have been developed that mimic selective aspects of human disease. The use of these models has enabled preclinical chemotherapeutic, chemoprevention, and genetic therapy studies in vivo, the testing of gene delivery systems, and the identification of tumour and metastasis suppressor and inducer genes. This review has discussed the most abundantly used murine models of mammary cancer including: spontaneous tumours, chemically induced tumours, orthotopic and syngeneic tumour transplantation, injected tumours, and genetically engineered mice with a predisposition to neoplasia. Each model has been discussed with regards to its merits and limitations for investigating the genetic and phenotypic alterations involved in the human disease as well as its potential usefulness for the development of new treatment strategies. To date no single mouse model is available with the ability to replicate the entire disease process, however, existing models continue to provide invaluable insights into breast cancer induction and progression that would be impossible to obtain using in vitro models alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P D Ottewell
- Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Shen Q, Brown PH. Transgenic mouse models for the prevention of breast cancer. Mutat Res 2005; 576:93-110. [PMID: 15888345 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2004.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2004] [Revised: 10/25/2004] [Accepted: 10/27/2004] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer prevention research has made remarkable progress in the past decade. Much of this progress has come from clinical trials. However, in the future to test the many promising agents that are now available, pre-clinical models of breast cancer are needed. Such models are now available. Useful models include rat and mouse models, particularly, the genetically engineered mice (GEM). Many transgenic mouse models have been generated by manipulating growth factors and their receptors, cell cycle regulators, signal transduction pathways, cellular differentiation, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. The transgenes are induced to express in the mouse mammary glands under the control of various transgenic promoters, which have respective characteristics in expression pattern and other biological attributes. These models are providing invaluable insight on the molecular mechanisms of breast tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss the relative relevance of the most commonly used transgenic mouse models for breast cancer prevention studies, and provide examples of how these transgenic models can be used to conduct cancer prevention research. Due to the multi-factor, multi-step nature of breast cancer, many factors should be incorporated into a valid prevention study. However, many barriers to progress must be overcome, including access to and availability of new cancer preventive drugs, and difficulties in conducting studies of combinations of preventive agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Shen
- Breast Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
The range of in vivo or in vitro immortalized cell lines currently available provides a variety of model systems for studies of normal and pathological cell functions. The cell lines have been derived from spontaneous or experimentally induced tumors, or through in vitro immortalization. The transgenic (TG) techniques provide a powerful approach, allowing the production of in vivo animal models for a variety of diseases, including malignant tumors, through tissue-specific expression of oncogenes or other tumor-promoting genes. The TG techniques also enable the production of cell lines with specific characteristics, through insertion of desired genes into specific cell types, which can then be immortalized upon cell culture. The use of temperature-sensitive immortalizing genes offers an additional advantage of controlling gene expression, including the proliferation and differentiation of the cells to be immortalized. As regards the male reproductive system, a number of cell lines of testicular somatic cells are currently available. This review covers mainly the immortalized cell lines of testicular Leydig and Sertoli cells, with special reference to murine cell lines for the study of testicular endocrine function and tumorigenesis. These cell lines also provide useful tools to investigate the molecular basis of hormone actions and testicular cell interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nafis A Rahman
- Department of Physiology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Evolution of somatic mutations in mammary tumors in transgenic mice is influenced by the inherited genotype. BMC Med 2004; 2:24. [PMID: 15198801 PMCID: PMC446228 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-2-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2004] [Accepted: 06/15/2004] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MMTV-Wnt1 transgenic mice develop mammary hyperplasia early in development, followed by the appearance of solitary mammary tumors with a high proportion of cells expressing early lineage markers and many myoepithelial cells. The occurrence of tumors is accelerated in experiments that activate FGF proto-oncogenes or remove the tumor suppressor genes Pten or P53, implying that secondary oncogenic events are required for progression from mammary hyperplasia to carcinoma. It is not known, however, which oncogenic pathways contribute to Wnt1-induced tumorigenesis - further experimental manipulation of these mice is needed. Secondary events also appear to be required for mammary tumorigenesis in MMTV-Neu transgenic mice because the transgene in the tumors usually contains an acquired mutation that activates the Neu protein-tyrosine kinase. METHODS cDNA or DNA from the mammary glands and mammary tumors from MMTV-Wnt1, MMTV-Wnt1/p53-/-, MMTV-Neu transgenic mice, and newly generated MMTV-Wnt1/MMTV-Neu bitransgenic mice, was sequenced to seek activating mutations in H-Ras, K-Ras, and N-Ras genes, or in the MMTV-Neu transgene. In addition, tumors from bitransgenic animals were examined to determine the cellular phenotype. RESULTS We found activating mutations at codons 12, 13, and 61 of H-Ras in just over half of the mammary tumors in MMTV-Wnt1 transgenic mice, and we confirmed the high frequency of activating mutations of Neu in tumors in MMTV-Neu transgenic mice. Tumors appeared earlier in bitransgenic MMTV-Wnt1/MMTV-Neu mice, but no Ras or MMTV-Neu mutations were found in these tumors, which were phenotypically similar to those arising in MMTV-Wnt1 mice. In addition, no Ras mutations were found in the mammary tumors that arise in MMTV-Wnt1 transgenic mice lacking an intact P53 gene. CONCLUSIONS Tumorigenic properties of cells undergoing functionally significant secondary mutations in H-Ras or the MMTV-Neu transgene allow selection of those cells in MMTV-Wnt1 and MMTV-Neu transgenic mice, respectively. Alternative sources of oncogenic potential, such as a second transgenic oncogene or deficiency of a tumor suppressor gene, can obviate the selective power of those secondary mutations. These observations are consistent with the notion that somatic evolution of mouse mammary tumors is influenced by the specific nature of the inherited cancer-promoting genotype.
Collapse
|
27
|
Gorska AE, Jensen RA, Shyr Y, Aakre ME, Bhowmick NA, Moses HL. Transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative mutant type II transforming growth factor-beta receptor exhibit impaired mammary development and enhanced mammary tumor formation. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2003; 163:1539-49. [PMID: 14507660 PMCID: PMC1868288 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)63510-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that expression of a dominant-negative type II transforming growth factor-beta receptor (DNIIR) in mammary epithelium under control of the MMTV promoter/enhancer causes alveolar hyperplasia and differentiation in virgin mice. Here we show that MMTV-DNIIR female mice have accelerated mammary gland differentiation during early pregnancy with impaired development during late pregnancy and lactation followed by delayed postlactational involution. Mammary tumors, mostly carcinoma in situ, developed spontaneously in the MMTV-DNIIR mice with a long median latency (27.5 months). Crossbreeding to MMTV-transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha mice to obtain mice expressing both transgenes resulted in mammary tumor formation with a much shorter latency more similar to those expressing only the MMTV-TGF-alpha transgene (<10 months median latency). The major difference in mammary tumors arising in MMTV-TGF-alpha compared to bigenic MMTV-DNIIR/MMTV-TGF-alpha was the marked suppression of tumor invasion by DNIIR transgene expression. Invading carcinoma cells in both MMTV-DNIIR and bigenic animals showed loss of DNIIR transgene expression as determined by in situ hybridization. The data indicate that signaling from endogenous TGF-betas not only plays an important role in normal mammary gland physiology but also can also suppress the early stage of tumor formation and contribute to tumor invasion once carcinomas have developed.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Carcinoma/genetics
- Carcinoma/pathology
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Genes, Dominant
- Genes, Viral/genetics
- Lactation
- Mammary Glands, Animal/growth & development
- Mammary Glands, Animal/pathology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Animal/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Animal/pathology
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/genetics
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Mutation
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Pregnancy
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics
- Transforming Growth Factor alpha/genetics
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Transforming Growth Factor beta2
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka E Gorska
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and the Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Chatterjee G, Rosner A, Han Y, Zelazny ET, Li B, Cardiff RD, Perkins AS. Acceleration of mouse mammary tumor virus-induced murine mammary tumorigenesis by a p53 172H transgene: influence of FVB background on tumor latency and identification of novel sites of proviral insertion. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2002; 161:2241-53. [PMID: 12466138 PMCID: PMC1850916 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)64500-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that a mammary-specific dominant-negative p53 transgene (WAP-p53(172H)) could accelerate ErbB2-induced mammary tumorigenesis in mice, but was not tumorigenic on its own. To identify other genes that cooperate with WAP-p53(172H) in tumorigenesis, we performed mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) proviral mutagenesis. We derived F1, N2, and N4/N5 mice from p53(172H) transgenic FVB mice backcrossed onto MMTV+ C3H/He mice. Results show the latency of MMTV tumorigenesis is correlated with FVB contribution. F1 tumors had the shortest latency (217 days), had a higher rate of metastasis, and were less differentiated than the N2 and N4/N5 tumors. The latency was 269 days in N2 mice, and lengthened to 346 days in N4/N5 mice. p53(172H) significantly accelerated MMTV tumorigenesis only in N2 mice, indicating cooperativity between p53(172H) and MMTV in this cohort. To identify genes that may be causally involved in MMTV-induced mammary tumorigenesis, we identified 60 sites of proviral insertion in the N2 tumors. Among the insertions in p53(172H) transgenic tumors were 10 genes not previously found as sites of MMTV insertion including genes involved in signaling (Pdgfra, Pde1b, Cnk1), cell adhesion (Cd44), angiogenesis (Galgt1), and transcriptional regulation (Olig1, Olig2, and Uncx4.1). These may represent cellular functions that are likely not deregulated by mutation in p53.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
- DNA, Neoplasm/analysis
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genes, p53
- Humans
- Mammary Glands, Animal/pathology
- Mammary Glands, Animal/virology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/virology
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/genetics
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Mice, Transgenic
- Mutagenesis
- Survival Rate
- Transgenes
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Virus Integration
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gouri Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8023. USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Rosner A, Miyoshi K, Landesman-Bollag E, Xu X, Seldin DC, Moser AR, MacLeod CL, Shyamala G, Gillgrass AE, Cardiff RD. Pathway pathology: histological differences between ErbB/Ras and Wnt pathway transgenic mammary tumors. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2002; 161:1087-97. [PMID: 12213737 PMCID: PMC1867237 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)64269-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To study phenotype-genotype correlations, ErbB/Ras pathway tumors (transgenic for ErbB2, c-Neu, mutants of c-Neu, polyomavirus middle T antigene (PyV-mT), Ras, and bi-transgenic for ErbB2/Neu with ErbB3 and with progesterone receptor) from four different institutions were histopathologically compared with Wnt pathway tumors [transgenes Wnt1, Wnt10b, dominant-negative glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta, beta-Catenin, and spontaneous mutants of adenomatous polyposis coli gene (Apc)]. ErbB/Ras pathway tumors tend to form solid nodules consisting of poorly differentiated cells with abundant cytoplasm. ErbB/Ras pathway tumors also have scanty stroma and lack myoepithelial or squamous differentiation. In contrast, Wnt pathway tumors exhibit myoepithelial, acinar, or glandular differentiation, and, frequently, combinations of these. Squamous metaplasia is frequent and may include transdifferentiation to epidermal and pilar structures. Most Wnt pathway tumors form caricatures of elongated, branched ductules, and have well-developed stroma, inflammatory infiltrates, and pushing margins. Tumors transgenic for interacting genes such as protein kinase CK2alpha (casein kinase IIalpha), and the fibroblast growth factors (Fgf) Int2/Fgf3 or keratinocyte growth factor (Kgf/Fgf7) also have the Wnt pathway phenotype. Because the tumors from the ErbB/Ras and the Wnt pathway are so distinct and can be readily identified using routine hematoxylin and eosin sections, we suggest that pathway pathology is applicable in both basic and clinical cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rosner
- Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Manoukian AS, Woodgett JR. Role of glycogen synthase kinase-3 in cancer: regulation by Wnts and other signaling pathways. Adv Cancer Res 2002; 84:203-29. [PMID: 11883528 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-230x(02)84007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is but one of more than a thousand distinct serine/threonine kinases present in the mammalian genome, this enzyme has attracted attention for its role in a diverse range of cellular processes and its positioning at a nexus of several signaling pathways that are important in cancer and other human diseases. The association of GSK-3 with widely different functions, from glycogen metabolism to fruit fly segmentation and slime mold differentiation, was initially perplexing. However, as the context of the biological processes involving this enzyme has been clarified, unifying themes have emerged that begin to explain its pleiotropic nature. Unlike most protein kinases involved in signaling, GSK-3 is active in unstimulated, resting cells. Its activity is inactivated during cellular responses and its substrates therefore tend to be dephosphorylated. As more of these targets have been identified and the effects of their modification by GSK-3 determined, most have been found to be functionally inhibited by GSK-3. Hence, this kinase appears to act as a general repressor, keeping its targets switched off or inaccessible under resting conditions. The rarity of this form of regulation is perhaps related to the diversity of its targets. Over the past decade, the importance of GSK-3 has been established by three significant properties: its remarkable evolutionary conservation, allowing analysis in genetically tractable organisms; its involvement in the Wnt/wingless signaling pathway; and its inhibition by agonists of the prosurvival phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (P13'K) pathway. This review covers recent advances in understanding the physiological roles of this enzyme, particularly in the context of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Armen S Manoukian
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Ontario Cancer Institute Toronto, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Miyoshi K, Rosner A, Nozawa M, Byrd C, Morgan F, Landesman-Bollag E, Xu X, Seldin DC, Schmidt EV, Taketo MM, Robinson GW, Cardiff RD, Hennighausen L. Activation of different Wnt/beta-catenin signaling components in mammary epithelium induces transdifferentiation and the formation of pilar tumors. Oncogene 2002; 21:5548-56. [PMID: 12165853 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1205686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2002] [Revised: 05/13/2002] [Accepted: 05/20/2002] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway controls cell fate and neoplastic transformation. Expression of an endogenous stabilized beta-catenin (DeltaE3 beta-catenin) in mammary epithelium leads to the transdifferentiation into epidermis- and pilar-like structures. Signaling molecules in the canonical Wnt pathway upstream from beta-catenin induce glandular tumors but it is not clear whether they also cause squamous transdifferentiation. To address this question we have now investigated mammary epithelium from transgenic mice that express activating molecules of the Wnt pathway: Wnt10b, Int2/Fgf3, CK2alpha, DeltaE3 beta-catenin, Cyclin D1, and dominant negative (dn) GSK3beta. Cytokeratin 5 (CK5), which is expressed in both mammary myoepithelium and epidermis, and the epidermis-specific CK1 and CK6 were used as differentiation markers. Extensive squamous metaplasias and widespread expression of CK1 and CK6 were observed in DeltaE3 beta-catenin transgenic mammary tissue. Wnt10b and Int2 transgenes also induced squamous metaplasias, but expression of CK1 and CK6 was sporadic. While CK5 expression in Wnt10b transgenic tissue was still confined to the lining cell layer, its expression in Int2 transgenic tissue was completely disorganized. In contrast, cytokeratin expression in CK2alpha, dnGSK3beta and Cyclin D1 transgenic mammary tissues was similar to that in DeltaE3 beta-catenin tissue. In support of transdifferentiation, expression of hard keratins specific for hair and nails was observed in pilar tumors. These results demonstrate that the activation of Wnt signaling components in mammary epithelium induces not only glandular tumors but also squamous differentiation, possibly by activating LEF-1, which is expressed in normal mammary epithelium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Miyoshi
- Laboratory of Genetics and Physiology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, MD 20892, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
Do tumours arise from stem cells, or are they derived from more differentiated cells that, for some reason, begin to recapitulate developmental programmes? Inappropriate activation of the Sonic hedgehog-Gli signalling pathway occurs in several types of tumour, including those of the brain and the skin. Studies in these and other systems suggest that inappropriate function of the Gli transcription factors in stem or precursor cells might lead to the onset of a tumorigenic programme and that these factors are prime targets for anticancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Ruiz i Altaba
- The Skirball Institute, Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Hollmann CA, Kittrell FS, Medina D, Butel JS. Wnt-1 and int-2 mammary oncogene effects on the beta-catenin pathway in immortalized mouse mammary epithelial cells are not sufficient for tumorigenesis. Oncogene 2001; 20:7645-57. [PMID: 11753642 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1204980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2001] [Revised: 08/22/2001] [Accepted: 09/18/2001] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Development of strategies for prevention of breast cancer development requires an understanding of the effects of mammary oncogenes on mammary cells at early stages in neoplastic transformation. As mammary oncogenes wnt-1 and int-2 affect different signal transduction pathways, we investigated their effects on established mouse mammary epithelial cell lines (MMECLs) reflecting early stages in tumorigenesis. Normal interactions between beta-catenin and E-cadherin were abrogated in all three immortalized MMECLs and the cells lacked beta-catenin-mediated transactivation activity, detectable using a reporter assay, suggesting that alterations in cell adhesion may be very early events in mammary tumorigenesis. Immortalized FSK4 and EL12 cells and hyperplastic TM3 cells were stably transfected with expression vectors encoding wnt-1 or int-2 or the control vector, and drug-selected pooled cells from each line were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to express the transfected oncogene; this expression persisted in the cells analysed in vitro and in vivo. Resultant phenotypic changes depended both on the oncogene and the target mammary cell line. In FSK4 cells, expression of wnt-1 or int-2 resulted in proliferative changes in vitro, including reduced contact inhibition, increased beta-catenin expression, and decreased p53 transcriptional activity, but neither oncogene conferred upon those cells the ability to produce tumors in vivo. EL12 cells were highly refractory to the effects of both oncogenes, with the only measurable changes being increased E-cadherin levels induced by both oncogenes and increased proliferation of the int-2-transfected cells in the absence of serum. Parental TM3 cells were phenotypically similar to wnt-1- or int-2-transfected FSK4 cells and displayed an increased rate of proliferation in vitro and markedly increased tumorigenicity in vivo following transfection with int-2 but not with wnt-1. These results suggest that wnt-1 signaling is redundant in the hyperplastic TM3 cells and indicate that wnt-1-induced effects in the immortalized FSK4 and EL12 cells were not sufficient to mediate a tumorigenic phenotype. This study showed that the wnt-1 and int-2 oncogenes have similar but distinguishable effects on immortalized MMECLs and that the genetic background of the mammary cells greatly influences the consequences of oncogene expression at early stages of cell transformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C A Hollmann
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Blackshear PE. Genetically engineered rodent models of mammary gland carcinogenesis: an overview. Toxicol Pathol 2001; 29:105-16. [PMID: 11215674 DOI: 10.1080/019262301301418919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a multifactorial disease that develops as a result of interactions among genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Multiple genetic derangements are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, including the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and/or the disregulation of proto-oncogenes. Age, hormones, and environmental factors further influence these genetic derangements. Spontaneous and chemically induced animal models of breast cancer have been limited in their usefulness. The advent of targeted gene mutations has allowed for a more specific exploration of the pathogenesis of breast cancer by creating mouse models that mimic single or multiple gene alterations found in human mammary tumors. The genes targeted in these models include mouse mammary tumor integration sites and genes that encode for growth regulators, signal transduction proteins, cell cycle proteins, and cell matrix proteinases. In this review, I summarize tumor morphology and the relevance of each model to the pathogenesis and progression of human breast cancer. These models have great potential for elucidating the multistep process of mammary gland carcinogenesis and for contributing to the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P E Blackshear
- Schering-Plough Research Institute, Lafayette, New Jersey 07848, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Wnt expression patterns during mammary development support a role for Wnts in breast development and in mammary epithelial responses to systemic hormones. The deregulation of Wnt signaling also plays a role in breast cancer. Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is a major feature of several human neoplasias and appears to lead to the cytosolic stabilization of a transcriptional co-factor, beta-catenin. This co-activator can then regulate transcription from a number of target genes including the cellular oncogenes cyclin D1 and c-myc. This review will summarize the current state of knowledge of Wnt signal transduction in a range of model systems and will then address the role of Wnts and Wnt signaling in mammary development and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J Smalley
- CRC Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
D'Amico M, Hulit J, Amanatullah DF, Zafonte BT, Albanese C, Bouzahzah B, Fu M, Augenlicht LH, Donehower LA, Takemaru K, Moon RT, Davis R, Lisanti MP, Shtutman M, Zhurinsky J, Ben-Ze'ev A, Troussard AA, Dedhar S, Pestell RG. The integrin-linked kinase regulates the cyclin D1 gene through glycogen synthase kinase 3beta and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein-dependent pathways. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:32649-57. [PMID: 10915780 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m000643200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyclin D1 gene encodes the regulatory subunit of a holoenzyme that phosphorylates and inactivates the pRB tumor suppressor protein. Cyclin D1 is overexpressed in 20-30% of human breast tumors and is induced both by oncogenes including those for Ras, Neu, and Src, and by the beta-catenin/lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF)/T cell factor (TCF) pathway. The ankyrin repeat containing serine-threonine protein kinase, integrin-linked kinase (ILK), binds to the cytoplasmic domain of beta(1) and beta(3) integrin subunits and promotes anchorage-independent growth. We show here that ILK overexpression elevates cyclin D1 protein levels and directly induces the cyclin D1 gene in mammary epithelial cells. ILK activation of the cyclin D1 promoter was abolished by point mutation of a cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)/ATF-2 binding site at nucleotide -54 in the cyclin D1 promoter, and by overexpression of either glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) or dominant negative mutants of CREB or ATF-2. Inhibition of the PI 3-kinase and AKT/protein kinase B, but not of the p38, ERK, or JNK signaling pathways, reduced ILK induction of cyclin D1 expression. ILK induced CREB transactivation and CREB binding to the cyclin D1 promoter CRE. Wnt-1 overexpression in mammary epithelial cells induced cyclin D1 mRNA and targeted overexpression of Wnt-1 in the mammary gland of transgenic mice increased both ILK activity and cyclin D1 levels. We conclude that the cyclin D1 gene is regulated by the Wnt-1 and ILK signaling pathways and that ILK induction of cyclin D1 involves the CREB signaling pathway in mammary epithelial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M D'Amico
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Departments of Developmental and Molecular Biology Medicine and Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Albanese C, Reutens AT, Bouzahzah B, Fu M, D'Amico M, Link T, Nicholson R, Depinho RA, Pestell RG. Sustained mammary gland-directed, ponasterone A-inducible expression in transgenic mice. FASEB J 2000; 14:877-84. [PMID: 10783141 DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.14.7.877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The ability to regulate temporal- and spatial-specific expression of target genes in transgenic mice will facilitate analysis of gene function and enable the generation of murine models of human diseases. The genetic analysis of mammary gland tumorigenesis requires the development of mammary gland-specific transgenics, which are tightly regulated throughout the adult mammary epithelium. Analysis of genes implicated in mammary gland tumorigenesis has been hampered by mosaic transgene expression and the findings that homozygous deletion of several candidate genes (cyclin D1, Stat5A, prolactin receptor) abrogates normal mammary gland development. We describe the development of transgenic mouse lines in which sustained transgene expression was inducibly regulated, both specifically and homogeneously, in the adult mammary gland epithelium. Transgenes encoding RXRalpha and a chimeric ecdysone receptor under control of a modified MMTV-LTR, which targets mammary gland expression, were used. These transgenic 'receptor' lines were crossed with transgenic 'enhancer' lines in which the ecdysone/RXR binding site induced ligand-dependent expression of transgenic beta-galactosidase. Pharmacokinetic analysis of a highly bioactive ligand (ponasterone A), identified through screening ecdysteroids from local plants, demonstrated sustained release and transgene expression in vivo. This transgenic model with both tightly regulated and homogeneous transgene expression, which was sustained in vivo using ligands readily extracted from local flora, has broad practical applicability for genetic analysis of mammary gland disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Albanese
- The Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Department of Medicine and. Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Luber B, Candidus S, Handschuh G, Mentele E, Hutzler P, Feller S, Voss J, Höfler H, Becker KF. Tumor-derived mutated E-cadherin influences beta-catenin localization and increases susceptibility to actin cytoskeletal changes induced by pervanadate. CELL ADHESION AND COMMUNICATION 2000; 7:391-408. [PMID: 10830618 DOI: 10.3109/15419060009109021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
E-cadherin participates in homophilic cell-to-cell adhesion and is localized to intercellular junctions of the adherens type. In the present study, we investigated the localization of adherens junction components in cells expressing mutant E-cadherin derivatives which had been previously cloned from diffuse-type gastric carcinoma. The mutations are in frame deletions of exons 8 or 9 and a point mutation in exon 8 and affect the extracellular domain of E-cadherin. Our findings indicate that E-cadherin mutated in exon 8 causes beta-catenin staining at lateral cell-to-cell contact sites and, in addition, abnormally located beta-catenin in the perinuclear region. Moreover, the various mutant E-cadherin derivatives increased the steady-state levels of alpha- and beta-catenin and were found in association with these catenins even after induction of tyrosine phosphorylation by pervanadate. Sustained pervanadate treatment led, however, to rounding-up of cells and induction of filopodia, changes which were first detectable in cells expressing E-cadherin mutated in exon 8. The deterioration of the cell contact was not accompanied with disassembly of the E-cadherin-catenin complex. Based on these observations, we propose a model whereby in the presence of mutant E-cadherin tyrosine phoshorylation of components of the cell adhesion complex triggers loss of cell-to-cell contact and actin cytoskeletal changes which are not caused by the disruption of the E-cadherin-catenin complex per se, but instead might be due to phosphorylation of other signaling molecules or activation of proteins involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Luber
- GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Institut für Pathologie, Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Cardiff RD, Anver MR, Gusterson BA, Hennighausen L, Jensen RA, Merino MJ, Rehm S, Russo J, Tavassoli FA, Wakefield LM, Ward JM, Green JE. The mammary pathology of genetically engineered mice: the consensus report and recommendations from the Annapolis meeting. Oncogene 2000; 19:968-88. [PMID: 10713680 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1203277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 359] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
NIH sponsored a meeting of medical and veterinary pathologists with mammary gland expertise in Annapolis in March 1999. Rapid development of mouse mammary models has accentuated the need for definitions of the mammary lesions in genetically engineered mice (GEM) and to assess their usefulness as models of human breast disease. The panel of nine pathologists independently reviewed material representing over 90% of the published systems. The GEM tumors were found to have: (1) phenotypes similar to those of non-GEM; (2) signature phenotypes specific to the transgene; and (3) some morphological similarities to the human disease. The current mouse mammary and human breast tumor classifications describe the majority of GEM lesions but unique morphologic lesions are found in many GEM. Since little information is available on the natural history of GEM lesions, a simple morphologic nomenclature is proposed that allows direct comparisons between models. Future progress requires rigorous application of guidelines covering pathologic examination of the mammary gland and the whole animal. Since the phenotype of the lesions is an essential component of their molecular pathology, funding agencies should adopt policies ensuring careful morphological evaluation of any funded research involving animal models. A pathologist should be part of each research team.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R D Cardiff
- U.C.D. Center for Comparative Medicine, County Road 98 and Hutchison Drive, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Li Y, Hively WP, Varmus HE. Use of MMTV-Wnt-1 transgenic mice for studying the genetic basis of breast cancer. Oncogene 2000; 19:1002-9. [PMID: 10713683 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1203273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Wnt-1 was first identified as a protooncogene activated by viral insertion in mouse mammary tumors. Transgenic expression of this gene using a mouse mammary tumor virus LTR enhancer causes extensive ductal hyperplasia early in life and mammary adenocarcinomas in approximately 50% of the female transgenic (TG) mice by 6 months of age. Metastasis to the lung and proximal lymph nodes is rare at the time tumors are detected but frequent after the removal of the primary neoplasm. The potent mitogenic effect mediated by Wnt-1 expression does not require estrogen stimulation; tumors form after an increased latency in estrogen receptor alpha-null mice. Several genetic lesions, including inactivation of p53 and over-expression of Fgf-3, collaborate with Wnt-1 in leading to mammary tumors, but loss of Sky and inactivation of one allele of Rb do not affect the rate of tumor formation in Wnt-1 TG mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Li
- Division of Basic Science, National Cancer Institute, 49 Convent Drive, Building 49, Room 4A56, Bethesda, Maryland, MD 20892, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Callahan R, Smith GH. MMTV-induced mammary tumorigenesis: gene discovery, progression to malignancy and cellular pathways. Oncogene 2000; 19:992-1001. [PMID: 10713682 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1203276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The study of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has provided important insights into the mechanisms of gene transcription regulation by steroid hormones, the mode of action of heritable super antigens and the progressive nature of neoplastic transformation in the mammary gland. Here we describe the current situation with respect to the latter aspect of MMTV biology and the prospects for further advance in our understanding of breast cancer in humans that may be expected from a continued study of MMTV-induced mammary neoplasia. MMTV is a heritable somatic mutagen whose target range is limited. Commonly, the tumorigenic capacity of MMTV is restricted to mammary gland, whereas infection is found in a variety of cell types. In order to replicate, proviral DNA must be inserted into the cell DNA and cell division is required to fix the mutation. Yet only in the mammary epithelium does this lead to neoplastic transformation. This suggests a unique relationship between MMTV and mammary epithelium. In evaluating this relationship, we and others have discovered genes and potential gene pathways that are pertinent in mammary differentiation and neoplasia. In addition, the clonal nature of these progressive events from normal to malignant phenotype has become increasingly clear. The weight of these observations compel us to conclude that mammary neoplasms arise from multipotent mammary epithelial cells through a process of acquired mutations that are reflected in the increasingly malignant nature of the population of progeny produced by these damaged stem cells.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-3
- Fibroblast Growth Factor 8
- Fibroblast Growth Factors/genetics
- Fibroblast Growth Factors/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Incidence
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/epidemiology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/virology
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/genetics
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/pathogenicity
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Peptide Initiation Factors/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Receptor, Notch4
- Receptors, Cell Surface
- Receptors, Notch
- Signal Transduction
- Virus Replication
- Wnt Proteins
- Zebrafish Proteins
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Callahan
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, MD 20892, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene is amplified or mutated in 30-50% of human glioblastoma multiforme. These mutations are usually associated with deletions of the INK4a-ARF locus, which encodes 2 gene products (p16INK4a and p19ARF) involved in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We have investigated the role of EGFR mutation in gliomagenesis using avian retroviral vectors to transfer a mutant EGFR gene to glial precursors and astrocytes in transgenic mice. These mice express tv-a, a gene encoding the retrovirus receptor TVA, which is under the control of brain cell type-specific promoters. We demonstrate that expression of a constitutively active, mutant form of EGFR in cells in the glial lineage can induce lesions with many similarities to human gliomas, including increased cell density, vascular proliferation, and immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and nestin. We also demonstrate that primary astrocytes cultured from transgenic mice expressing tv-a from the GFAP promoter are efficiently infected in culture, and such genetically modified cell cultures can be tumorigenic in nude mice. The combinations of genetic lesions (eg, mutated EGFR, INK4a-/-) leading to tumor formation in these 2 mouse systems are similar to those found in human gliomas. These genetically defined animal models for gliomas will allow for the testing of therapies that are targeted specifically at the gene products involved in the pathogenesis of gliomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E C Holland
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Dickson C, Spencer-Dene B, Dillon C, Fantl V. Tyrosine kinase signalling in breast cancer: fibroblast growth factors and their receptors. Breast Cancer Res 2000; 2:191-6. [PMID: 11250709 PMCID: PMC138774 DOI: 10.1186/bcr53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/1999] [Accepted: 02/21/2000] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The fibroblast growth factors [Fgfs (murine), FGFs (human)] constitute a large family of ligands that signal through a class of cell-surface tyrosine kinase receptors. Fgf signalling has been associated in vitro with cellular differentiation as well as mitogenic and motogenic responses. In vivo, Fgfs are critical for animal development, and some have potent angiogenic properties. Several Fgfs have been identified as oncogenes in murine mammary cancer, where their deregulation is associated with proviral insertions of the mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV). Thus, in some mammary tumours of MMTV-infected mouse strains, integration of viral genomic DNA into the somatic DNA of mammary epithelial cells was found to have caused the inappropriate expression of members of this family of growth factors. Although examination of human breast cancers has shown an altered expression of FGFs or of their receptors in some tumours, their role in the causation of breast disease is unclear and remains controversial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Dickson
- Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Uusitalo M, Heikkilä M, Vainio S. Molecular genetic studies of Wnt signaling in the mouse. Exp Cell Res 1999; 253:336-48. [PMID: 10585256 DOI: 10.1006/excr.1999.4710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Uusitalo
- Faculties of Science and Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, 90570, Finland
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
The histopathology of transgenes and knockouts in the mammary gland. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-254x(98)80009-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
|
46
|
The Role of Fibroblast Growth Factors in Breast Cancer Pathogenesis and Progression. Breast Cancer 1999. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59259-456-6_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
47
|
Rahman NA, Kananen Rilianawati K, Paukku T, Mikola M, Markkula M, Hämäläinen T, Huhtaniemi IT. Transgenic mouse models for gonadal tumorigenesis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 1998; 145:167-74. [PMID: 9922114 DOI: 10.1016/s0303-7207(98)00184-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The versatile transgenic (TG) techniques allow the production of in vivo animal models for a variety of diseases, including malignant tumors, through tissue-specific expression of oncogenes. We have created a TG mouse model for gonadal somatic cell tumors by expressing the powerful viral oncogene, Simian virus 40 T-antigen (Tag) under regulation of the murine inhibin alpha-subunit promoter (inh alpha). Ovarian granulosa and theca cell tumors were formed in the female, and those of testicular Leydig cells, in the male TG mice at the age of 5-6 months, with 100% penetrance. The tumors produced high levels of inhibin peptides, especially the alpha-subunit, and were steroidogenically active, mainly producing progesterone. The gonadal tumorigenesis was gonadotropin-dependent, since TG mice rendered gonadotropin-deficient by crossbreeding them into the hypogonadotropic hpg genetic background, or by treating them with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, did not develop tumors. In order to study the possibility of using the tumor mouse model for testing gene therapy, we created another TG mouse model expressing under the same inhibin-alpha promoter the Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase (TK) transgene. The inh alpha/HSV-TK mice were crossbred with the inh alpha/Tag mice and the double mutant mice also developed gonadal tumors. When they were treated with antiherpes drugs (acyclovir or gancyclovir), further growth of the tumors was blocked. These preliminary findings prove the principle that tumor ablation in our TG mouse model can be achieved by transduction of the HSV-TK gene into the tumor cells. Besides studies of formation, regulation and therapy of the tumors in vivo, immortalized cell lines derived from them provide models for studies of gonadal somatic cell functions in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N A Rahman
- Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Bui TD, Tortora G, Ciardiello F, Harris AL. Expression of Wnt5a is downregulated by extracellular matrix and mutated c-Ha-ras in the human mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1997; 239:911-7. [PMID: 9367869 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1997.7530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Wnt genes are involved in tumour growth and regulate cell adhesion. Some (Wnt5a and Wnt7b) are more highly expressed in human breast cancer compared to normal tissues. Wnt5a is involved in the regulation of cell movement in Xenopus and is upregulated in several human cancers. Factors regulating Wnt gene expression in human breast epithelium are poorly understood, but c-erbB2 is amplified in many breast cancers and associated with rapid growth and metastasis, as is high expression of c-Ha-ras. To further understand the regulation of Wnt gene expression, this study investigated the effect of proto-oncogenes c-Ha-ras and c-erbB2, and collagen on Wnt mRNA expression, in a normal spontaneously immortalised human mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A. Out of nine human Wnt genes investigated, Wnt5a and Wnt7b were expressed in the parental cell line, and neomycin-, c-Ha-ras- and c-erbB2-transfected cell lines. The level of Wnt5a mRNA expression was decreased 40-fold and 3-fold when parental cells were grown on collagen and in collagen, respectively. This downregulation correlated with cell branching. However, Wnt7b was not regulated by collagen. In the presence of activated c-Ha-ras, the level of Wnt5a mRNA expression was markedly decreased (> 200-fold) and cell growth rate was elevated. When treated with p21ras inhibitor, BZA-5B, there was a moderate reversal of Wnt5a mRNA expression (2-fold) with a parallel decrease in cell growth. The data indicate that c-Ha-ras is an upstream inhibitory regulator of Wnt5a, and provide further evidence of an inverse relationship between Wnt5a mRNA expression and cell branching. This demonstrates selectivity of regulation of individual members of the Wnt gene family by the ras pathway. Overexpression of c-erbB2 had no effect on Wnt5a or Wnt7b mRNA expression. Thus, extracellular matrix and ras regulate Wnt5a, providing a mechanism for feedback of morphogenetic movements, which is relevant also to cancer biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T D Bui
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Hardiman G, Albright S, Tsunoda J, McClanahan T, Lee F. The mouse Wnt-10B gene isolated from helper T cells is widely expressed and a possible oncogene in BR6 mouse mammary tumorigenesis. Gene 1996; 172:199-205. [PMID: 8682303 DOI: 10.1016/0378-1119(96)00109-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
From libraries made from activated mouse T lymphocytes, we have isolated cDNAs encoding Wnt-10B, a new member of the Wnt family of developmental control genes. This protein appears to be the mammalian orthologue of Wnt-10B, first identified in several non-mammalian vertebrates and recently in mouse. The mRNA expression pattern of mouse Wnt-10B indicates that it is induced following activation of helper T cells, but is also expressed in a variety of other tissues and cells of fetal or adult origin. 93 bp at the 5' end of the cDNA clone are identical to sequences previously reported as 3' flanking genomic DNA adjacent to a mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) provirus in the MMTV-induced BR6 mammary tumor, W26. Sequence analysis of tumor-derived genomic DNA confirms that the entire Wnt-10B gene is immediately adjacent to the provirus, suggesting that MMTV integration drives transcription of Wnt-10B, possibly contributing to the oncogenic process. Consistent with this idea is the detection of hybrid MMTV-Wnt-10B transcripts in BR6 tumor cells. T cells which produce abundant Wnt-10B mRNA were also found to produce protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Hardiman
- Department of Molecular Biology, DNAX Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Jonkers J, Berns A. Retroviral insertional mutagenesis as a strategy to identify cancer genes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 1996; 1287:29-57. [PMID: 8639705 DOI: 10.1016/0304-419x(95)00020-g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J Jonkers
- The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Division of Molecular Genetics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|