[HTML][HTML] A Cre-conditional MYCN-driven neuroblastoma mouse model as an improved tool for preclinical studies

K Althoff, A Beckers, E Bell, M Nortmeyer, T Thor… - Oncogene, 2015 - nature.com
K Althoff, A Beckers, E Bell, M Nortmeyer, T Thor, A Sprüssel, S Lindner, K De Preter
Oncogene, 2015nature.com
Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer that originates from neural crest-derived cells, is the
most common deadly solid tumor of infancy. Amplification of the MYCN oncogene, which
occurs in approximately 20–25% of human neuroblastomas, is the most prominent genetic
marker of high-stage disease. The availability of valid preclinical in vivo models is a
prerequisite to develop novel targeted therapies. We here report on the generation of
transgenic mice with Cre-conditional induction of MYCN in dopamine β-hydroxylase …
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer that originates from neural crest-derived cells, is the most common deadly solid tumor of infancy. Amplification of the MYCN oncogene, which occurs in approximately 20–25% of human neuroblastomas, is the most prominent genetic marker of high-stage disease. The availability of valid preclinical in vivo models is a prerequisite to develop novel targeted therapies. We here report on the generation of transgenic mice with Cre-conditional induction of MYCN in dopamine β-hydroxylase-expressing cells, termed LSL-MYCN; Dbh-iCre. These mice develop neuroblastic tumors with an incidence of> 75%, regardless of strain background. Molecular profiling of tumors revealed upregulation of the MYCN-dependent miR-17–92 cluster as well as expression of neuroblastoma marker genes, including tyrosine hydroxylase and the neural cell adhesion molecule 1. Gene set enrichment analyses demonstrated significant correlation with MYC-associated expression patterns. Array comparative genome hybridization showed that chromosomal aberrations in LSL-MYCN; Dbh-iCre tumors were syntenic to those observed in human neuroblastomas. Treatment of a cell line established from a tumor derived from a LSL-MYCN; Dbh-iCre mouse with JQ1 or MLN8237 reduced cell viability and demonstrated oncogene addiction to MYCN. Here we report establishment of the first Cre-conditional human MYCN-driven mouse model for neuroblastoma that closely recapitulates the human disease with respect to tumor localization, histology, marker expression and genomic make up. This mouse model is a valuable tool for further functional studies and to assess the effect of targeted therapies.
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