Reference SummaryRobinson C, Cancer Res 2006 Nov 15;66(22):10786-94

Title

A novel SV40 TAg transgenic model of asbestos-induced mesothelioma: malignant transformation is dose dependent.

Authors

Robinson C; van Bruggen I; Segal A; Dunham M; Sherwood A; Koentgen F; Robinson BW; Lake RA

Journal

Cancer Res

Volume

66

Issue

22

Year

2006

Pages

10786-94

Abstract

Although it has been clear for >40 years that mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos, not all patients with this disease have a history of asbestos exposure. Other factors, including non-asbestos fibers and ionizing radiation, are known to cause malignant transformation of mesothelial cells. In addition, it is likely that genetics will play some role in susceptibility. Recently, it has been suggested that SV40 viral oncogenes could contribute to the carcinogenicity of asbestos. To better understand the role of SV40, we used the mesothelin promoter to construct MexTAg mice that express SV40 large T antigen (TAg) in the mesothelial compartment. We generated four MexTAg lines that carry high, intermediate, and low copy numbers of the transgene. All of these mice show a relatively low level of spontaneous tumor development. High-copy, 299h mice rapidly developed mesotheliomas when exposed to asbestos, and these tumors were faster growing and more invasive than those developing in wild-type and single-copy (266s) mice. In addition, we found a direct relationship between transgene copy number and survival after exposure to asbestos. A single copy of TAg was sufficient to immortalize mesothelial cells in vitro, but these cells did not show evidence of malignant transformation. In contrast, cell lines developed from mesothelial cells of animals carrying multiple copies of TAg were growth factor independent and could be cloned at limiting dilution in soft agar. These data provide the first in vivo demonstration of co-carcinogenicity between SV40 and asbestos.

Links

J:116125 – MGI References
17108115 – National Library of Medicine/PubMed

Models

Strain Model Name Treatment Agent(s) Organ Affected Frequency Model Details
C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)299hLake Mesothelium foci
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

7.69

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)266sLake Mesothelium foci
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

12.5

C57BL/6J Mesothelium foci
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

18.18

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)299hLake Mesothelium mesothelioma
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

100

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)266sLake Mesothelium mesothelioma
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

0 - 100

C57BL/6J Mesothelium mesothelioma
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

86.67 - 100

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)304iLake Mesothelium mesothelioma
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

100

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)299hLake Mesothelium mesothelioma Mesothelium

0

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)304iLake Mesothelium mesothelioma Mesothelium

0

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)266sLake Mesothelium mesothelioma Mesothelium

0

C57BL/6J Mesothelium mesothelioma Mesothelium

0

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)299hLake Mesothelium mesothelioma - malignant - epithelioid
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

7.69

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)299hLake Mesothelium mesothelioma - malignant - sarcomatoid
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

69.23

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)266sLake Mesothelium mesothelioma - malignant - sarcomatoid
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

12.5

C57BL/6J Mesothelium mesothelioma - malignant - sarcomatoid
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

18.18

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)299hLake Mesothelium tumor - benign
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

23.08

C57BL/6-Tg(MSLN-TAg)266sLake Mesothelium tumor - benign
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

62.5

C57BL/6J Mesothelium tumor - benign
  • crocidolite asbestos
Mesothelium

45.45