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Thege FI, Rupani DN, Barathi BB, Manning SL, Maitra A, Rhim AD, Wörmann SM. A Programmable In Vivo CRISPR Activation Model Elucidates the Oncogenic and Immunosuppressive Functions of MYC in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 2022; 82:2761-2776. [PMID: 35666804 PMCID: PMC9357118 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Conventional genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) are time-consuming, laborious, and offer limited spatiotemporal control. Here, we describe the development of a streamlined platform for in vivo gene activation using CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) technology. Unlike conventional GEMMs, this model system allows for flexible, sustained, and timed activation of one or more target genes using single or pooled lentiviral guides. Myc and Yap1 were used as model oncogenes to demonstrate gene activation in primary pancreatic organoid cultures in vitro and enhanced tumorigenic potential in Myc-activated organoids when transplanted orthotopically in vivo. Implementation of this model as an autochthonous lung cancer model showed that transduction-mediated activation of Myc led to accelerated tumor progression and significantly reduced overall survival relative to nontargeted tumor controls. Furthermore, Myc activation led to the acquisition of an immune suppressive, "cold" tumor microenvironment. Cross-species validation of these results using publicly available RNA/DNA-seq datasets linked MYC to a previously described immunosuppressive molecular subtype in patient tumors, thus identifying a patient cohort that may benefit from combined MYC- and immune-targeted therapies. Overall, this work demonstrates how CRISPRa can be used for rapid functional validation of putative oncogenes and may allow for the identification and evaluation of potential metastatic and oncogenic drivers through competitive screening. SIGNIFICANCE A streamlined platform for programmable CRISPR gene activation enables rapid evaluation and functional validation of putative oncogenes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik I. Thege
- Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- CORRESPONDANCE: Fredrik I. Thege, , Sonja M. Wörmann, , MD Anderson Cancer Center, Zayed Building, Z3.2065, 6565 MD Anderson Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dhwani N. Rupani
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bhargavi B. Barathi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sara L. Manning
- Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andrew D. Rhim
- Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sonja M. Wörmann
- Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- CORRESPONDANCE: Fredrik I. Thege, , Sonja M. Wörmann, , MD Anderson Cancer Center, Zayed Building, Z3.2065, 6565 MD Anderson Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA
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