1
|
Gifford AJ, Murray J, Fletcher JI, Marshall GM, Norris MD, Haber M. A Primer for Assessing the Pathology in Mouse Models of Neuroblastoma. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e310. [PMID: 34826366 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor in young children, arises from the sympathetic nervous system. Our understanding of neuroblastoma has been improved by the development of both genetically engineered and xenograft mouse models of the disease. Anatomical pathology is an essential component of the phenotyping of mouse models of cancer, characterizing the morphologic effects of genetic manipulation and drug treatment. The Th-MYCN model, the most widely used of several genetically engineered mouse models of neuroblastoma, was established by targeted expression of the human MYCN gene to murine neural crest cells under the control of the rat tyrosine hydroxylase promoter. Neuroblastoma development in Th-MYCN mice is preceded by neuroblast hyperplasia-the persistence and proliferation of neural crest-derived neuroblasts within the sympathetic autonomic ganglia. The neuroblastomas that subsequently develop morphologically resemble human neuroblastoma and carry chromosomal gains and losses in regions syntenic with those observed in human tumors. In this overview, we describe the essential pathologic features for investigators when assessing mouse models of neuroblastoma. We outline human neuroblastoma as the foundation for understanding the murine disease, followed by details of the murine sympathetic ganglia from which neuroblastoma arises. Sympathetic ganglia, both with and without neuroblast hyperplasia, are described. The macroscopic and microscopic features of murine neuroblastoma are explained, including assessment of xenografts and tumors following drug treatment. An approach to experimental design is also detailed. Increased understanding of the pathology of murine neuroblastoma should improve reproducibility and comparability of research findings and assist investigators working with mouse models of neuroblastoma. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Gifford
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Anatomical Pathology, NSW Heath Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jayne Murray
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
PATHBIO: an international training program for precision mouse phenotyping. Mamm Genome 2020; 31:49-53. [PMID: 32088735 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-020-09829-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Design and production of genetically engineered mouse strains by individual research laboratories, research teams, large-scale consortia, and the biopharmaceutical industry have magnified the need for qualified personnel to identify, annotate, and validate (phenotype) these potentially new mouse models of human disease. The PATHBIO project has been recently established and funded by the European Union's ERASMUS+ Knowledge Alliance program to address the current shortfall in formally trained personnel. A series of teaching workshops will be given by experts on anatomy, histology, embryology, imaging, and comparative pathology to increase the availability of individuals with formal training to contribute to this important niche of Europe's biomedical research enterprise. These didactic and hands-on workshops are organized into three modules: (1) embryology, anatomy, histology, and the anatomical basis of imaging, (2) image-based phenotyping, and (3) pathology. The workshops are open to all levels of participants from recent graduates to Ph.D., M.D., and veterinary scientists. Participation is available on a competitive basis at no cost for attending. The first series of Workshop Modules was held in 2019 and these will continue for the next 2 years.
Collapse
|
3
|
Bolon B, Newbigging S, Boyd KL. Pathology Evaluation of Developmental Phenotypes in Neonatal and Juvenile Mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 7:191-219. [DOI: 10.1002/cpmo.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kelli L. Boyd
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cardiff RD, Miller CH, Munn RJ. Analysis of mouse model pathology: a primer for studying the anatomic pathology of genetically engineered mice. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2014; 2014:561-80. [PMID: 24890215 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top069922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This primer of pathology is intended to introduce investigators to the structure (morphology) of cancer with an emphasis on genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models (GEMMs). We emphasize the necessity of using the entire biological context for the interpretation of anatomic pathology. Because the primary investigator is responsible for almost all of the information and procedures leading up to microscopic examination, they should also be responsible for documentation of experiments so that the microscopic interpretation can be rendered in context of the biology. The steps involved in this process are outlined, discussed, and illustrated. Because GEMMs are unique experimental subjects, some of the more common pitfalls are discussed. Many of these errors can be avoided with attention to detail and continuous quality assurance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Cardiff
- Center for Comparative Medicine and Center for Genomic Pathology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616
| | - Claramae H Miller
- Center for Comparative Medicine and Center for Genomic Pathology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616
| | - Robert J Munn
- Center for Comparative Medicine and Center for Genomic Pathology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Schofield PN, Vogel P, Gkoutos GV, Sundberg JP. Exploring the elephant: histopathology in high-throughput phenotyping of mutant mice. Dis Model Mech 2012; 5:19-25. [PMID: 22028326 PMCID: PMC3255539 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.008334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in gene knockout techniques and the in vivo analysis of mutant mice, together with the advent of large-scale projects for systematic mouse mutagenesis and genome-wide phenotyping, have allowed the creation of platforms for the most complete and systematic analysis of gene function ever undertaken in a vertebrate. The development of high-throughput phenotyping pipelines for these and other large-scale projects allows investigators to search and integrate large amounts of directly comparable phenotype data from many mutants, on a genomic scale, to help develop and test new hypotheses about the origins of disease and the normal functions of genes in the organism. Histopathology has a venerable history in the understanding of the pathobiology of human and animal disease, and presents complementary advantages and challenges to in vivo phenotyping. In this review, we present evidence for the unique contribution that histopathology can make to a large-scale phenotyping effort, using examples from past and current programmes at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals and The Jackson Laboratory, and critically assess the role of histopathology analysis in high-throughput phenotyping pipelines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul N Schofield
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Powell KA, Wilson D. 3-dimensional imaging modalities for phenotyping genetically engineered mice. Vet Pathol 2011; 49:106-15. [PMID: 22146851 DOI: 10.1177/0300985811429814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A variety of 3-dimensional (3D) digital imaging modalities are available for whole-body assessment of genetically engineered mice: magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM), X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT), optical projection tomography (OPT), episcopic and cryoimaging, and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Embryo and adult mouse phenotyping can be accomplished at microscopy or near microscopy spatial resolutions using these modalities. MRM and microCT are particularly well-suited for evaluating structural information at the organ level, whereas episcopic and OPT imaging provide structural and functional information from molecular fluorescence imaging at the cellular level. UBM can be used to monitor embryonic development longitudinally in utero. Specimens are not significantly altered during preparation, and structures can be viewed in their native orientations. Technologies for rapid automated data acquisition and high-throughput phenotyping have been developed and continually improve as this exciting field evolves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K A Powell
- Small Animal Imaging Shared Resource, The James Comprehensive Cancer Center Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|