Allelic Loss at the Tuberous Sclerosis (Tsc2) Gene Locus in Spontaneous Uterine Leiomyosarcomas and Pituitary Adenomas in the Eker Rat Model

Hereditary renal carcinomas (RCs) develop in virtually all Eker rats by the age of one year. Investigation of extra-renal primary tumors co-occurring in Eker rats late in life (at 2 years) additionally revealed enhanced development of hemangiosarcomas of the spleen, uterine leiomyosarcomas and pituitary adenomas, although the demonstrated predilection for these extra-renal tumors was not as complete as with RCs. We identified the germline mutated tuberous sclerosis ( Tsc2 ) gene as the predisposing Eker gene and revealed the tumor suppressor nature of Tsc2 gene function in renal carcinogenesis. In the present study, we examined allelic loss at the Tsc2 gene locus in uterine leiomyosarcomas and pituitary adenomas developing in hybrid F1 rats carrying the Eker mutation as well as in pituitary adenomas from non-carrier rats. We detected loss of heterozygosity in 4 of 11 uterine leiomyosarcomas (36%) and 11 of 31 pituitary adenomas (35%) from Eker rats but in none of 9 pituitary adenomas from non-carrier rats ( P <0.05), suggesting that inactivation of the Tsc2 gene is also a critical event in the pathogenesis of these extra-renal tumors. Our present data indicate that there might be different pathways for tumorigenesis of pituitary adenomas between Eker and non-carrier rats.     

Mapping a sex hormone-sensitive gene determining female resistance to liver carcinogenesis in a congenic F344.BN-Hcs4 rat

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is prevalent in human and rodent males. Hepatocarcinogenesis is controlled by various genes in susceptible F344 and resistant Brown Norway (BN) rats. B alleles at Hcs4 locus, on RNO16, control neoplastic nodule volume. We constructed the F344.BN-Hcs4 recombinant congenic strain (RCS) by introgressing a 4.41-cM portion of Hcs4 from BN strain in an isogenic F344 background. Preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions were induced by the "resistant hepatocyte" protocol. Eight weeks after initiation, lesion volume and positivity for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were much higher in lesions of F344 than BN rats of both sexes. These variables were lower in females than in males. Lesion volume and PCNA values of male RCS were similar to those of F344 rats, but in females corresponded to those of BN females. Carcinomatous nodules and HCC developed at 32 and 60 weeks, respectively, in male F344 and congenics and, rarely, in F344 females. BN and congenic females developed only eosinophilic/clear cells nodules. Gonadectomy of congenic males, followed by beta-estradiol administration, caused a decrease in Ar expression, an increase in Er-alpha expression, and development of preneoplastic lesions comparable to those from BN females. Administration of testosterone to gonadectomized females led to Ar increase and development of preneoplastic lesions as in F344 males. This indicates a role of homozygous B alleles at Hcs4 in the determination of phenotypic patterns of female RCS and presence at Hcs4 locus of a high penetrance gene(s), activated by estrogens and inhibited/unaffected by testosterone, conferring resistance to females in which the B alleles provide higher resistance.     

Carcinogen-specific gene expression profiles in short-term treated Eker and wild-type rats indicative of pathways involved in renal tumorigenesis

Eker rats heterozygous for a dominant germline mutation in the tuberous sclerosis 2 (Tsc2) tumor suppressor gene were used as a model to study renal carcinogenesis. Eker and corresponding wild-type rats were exposed to genotoxic aristolochic acid (AA) or non-genotoxic ochratoxin A (OTA) to elucidate early carcinogen-specific gene expression changes and to test whether Eker rats are more sensitive to carcinogen-induced changes in gene expression. Male Eker and wild-type rats were gavaged daily with AA (10 mg/kg body weight) or OTA (210 microg/kg body weight). After 1, 3, 7, and 14 days of exposure, renal histopathology, tubular cell proliferation, and Affymetrix gene expression profiles from renal cortex/outer medulla were analyzed. AA-treated Eker and wild-type rats were qualitatively comparable in all variables assessed, suggesting a Tsc2-independent mechanism of action. OTA treatment resulted in slightly increased cortical pathology and significantly elevated cell proliferation in both strains, although Eker rats were more sensitive. Deregulated genes involved in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT-Tsc2-mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, among other important genes prominent in tumorigenesis, in conjunction with the enhanced cell proliferation and presence of preneoplastic lesions suggested involvement of Tsc2 in OTA-mediated toxicity and carcinogenicity, especially as deregulation of genes involved in this pathway was more prominent in the Tsc2 mutant Eker rat.     

The Edpm5 locus prevents the 'angiogenic switch' in an estrogen-induced rat pituitary tumor

Edpm5 is one member of a group of quantitative trait loci that are responsible for the difference in susceptibility to estrogen-induced prolactinoma between the Fischer 344 (F344) and Brown Norway (BN) strains. Upon chronic estrogen treatment F344 rats develop large, hemorrhagic and invasive pituitary tumors, which exhibit both tumor angiogenesis and neoplasia. In contrast, BN rats do not develop a tumor despite an estrogen-induced increase in lactotroph density. To investigate the role of Edpm5 in the development of these tumors, we have generated a novel congenic rat strain F344.BN-Edpm5BN by introgressing the segment of rat chromosome bearing Edpm5 from BN into the F344 strain background. Phenotypic differences between F344 and F344.BN-Edpm5BN must be due to a gene(s) within the chromosomal interval encompassing Edpm5. Through use of these strains, we find that Edpm5 specifically regulates the switch to angiogenic phenotype, independent of neoplasia. The F344.BN-Edpm5BN rats developed tumors, which exhibited significant growth, 7-fold greater mass than the pituitary of untreated rats, and neoplasia indistinguishable from that of the F344 strain. However, the F344.BN-Edpm5BN rat tumor had a non-angiogenic phenotype. After chronic estrogen treatment, there was no increase in microvessel count over untreated controls in F344.BN-Edpm5BN tumors, whereas F344 rat tumors showed a significant increase (P < 0.0005). The ultrastructural morphology of the pituitary blood vessels also did not show significant angiogenesis associated changes in F344.BN-Edpm5BN rat pituitary tumors. In contrast the parental strain F344 had pronounced angiogenic activity. The F344.BN-Edpm5BN strain also fails to express VEGF at the high levels seen in the F344 rat pituitary after estrogen treatment. Hence at least one gene that has a large impact, directly or indirectly, on the switch to angiogenic phenotype must reside within the chromosomal interval that is the Edpm5 quantitative trait locus.     

Niban gene is commonly expressed in the renal tumors: a new candidate marker for renal carcinogenesis

Functional inactivation of tuberous sclerosis 2 gene (Tsc2) leads to renal carcinogenesis in the hereditary renal carcinoma Eker rat models. Recent studies revealed a role of tuberin, a TSC2 product, in suppressing the p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K) activity via inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Phosphorylated S6 protein, a substrate of p70S6K, was expressed in the early lesions in Eker rats, and this expression was suppressed by the treatment of rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR. We previously isolated the novel gene Niban expressed in renal carcinogenesis of Eker rats. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of Niban was detected from early preneoplastic lesions in Eker rats. Interestingly, in contrast to the phosphorylated S6 protein, the expression of Niban was unchanged and early lesions still remained even after treatment with rapamycin. These results might suggest the existence of another pathway independent of mTOR-S6K pathway in Tsc2 mutant renal carcinogenesis. In addition, Niban was also expressed in other renal carcinoma models, including Tsc1 and Tsc2 knockout mice, and various types of human renal cell carcinomas. Thus, Niban was commonly expressed in renal carcinomas and might be a new marker for renal carcinogenesis.     

Renal carcinogenesis: genotype,phenotype and dramatype

Cancer is a heritable disorder of somatic cells. Environment and heredity are both important in the carcinogenic process. The Eker rat model of hereditary renal carcinoma (RC) is an example of a Mendelian dominantly inherited predisposition to a specific cancer in an experimental animal. Forty years after the discovery of the Eker rat in Oslo, we and Knudson's group independently identified a germline retrotransposon insertion in the rat homologue of the human tuberous sclerosis ( TSC2 ) gene. To our knowledge, this was the first isolation of a Mendelian dominantly predisposing cancer gene in a naturally occurring animal model. Recently, we discovered a new hereditary renal carcinoma in the rat. This rat was named the "Ninon'rat and its predisposing ( Nihon ) gene could be a novel renal tumor suppressor gene. This article will review the utility of these unique models for the study of problems in carcinogenesis; e.g., species-specific differences in tumorigenesis, cell stage and tissue/cell-type specific tumorigene-sis, multistep carcinogenesis, modifier gene(s) in renal carcinogenesis, cancer prevention and the development of therapeutic treatments which can be translated to human patients, as well as how environmental factors interact with cancer susceptibility gene(s). (Cancer Sci 2003; 94: 142 – 147)     

Estrogen treatment enhances hereditary renal tumor development in Eker rats

Hormonal influences are known to affect the development of renal cell carcinoma in man and laboratory animal models. We tested the hypothesis that estrogen treatment or ovariectomy of rats modulates renal tumor development using tuberous sclerosis 2 (Tsc2) heterozygous mutant (Eker) rats in which a germline mutation predisposes the animals to renal cell tumor development. Two-month-old female wild-type and Eker rats were ovariectomized or sham-operated and treated with placebo or 5 mg 17beta-estradiol in s.c. pellets for 6 or 10 months. Rats were examined at 8 or 12 months of age, at which time the numbers of renal tumors and preneoplastic foci were quantitated and the severity of nephropathy was assessed. In contrast to what may have been expected, prolonged estrogen treatment enhanced the development of hereditary renal cell tumors, with a 2-fold greater number of preneoplastic and neoplastic renal lesions compared with untreated Eker rats. Ovariectomized Eker rats had 33% fewer renal lesions than the unmanipulated control group. No tumors or preneoplastic lesions were present in wild-type rats at either time point. Estrogen treatment increased the severity of nephropathy in both wild-type and Eker rats, whereas ovariectomy was protective against nephropathic changes. Although estrogen is not a rat renal carcinogen, it enhanced the development of hereditary renal cell tumors when administered to Eker rats. Eker rats heterozygous for a mutation in the Tsc2 locus provide a good model in which to study how genetic and hormonal factors contribute to the development of renal cell tumors and to understand the influence genetic susceptibility has on the development of renal cell carcinoma.      

SHORT COMMUNICATION: The BN rat strain carries dominant hepatocarcinogen resistance loci

The phylogenetically distant F344 and BN rat strains and their(BNxF344) F1 hybrids were compared for susceptibility to hepatocarcinogenesisusing the ‘resistant hepatocyte’ model. Quantitativestereological analysis of frequency (number/liver) and size(mean volume and volume fraction) of placental form glutathioneS-transferase (GST-P)-positive lesions was carried out at 8,15 and 32 weeks after diethylnitrosamine initiation. The number/liverof GST-P-positive lesions at any time point was slightly higherin BN and (BNxF344)F1 rats than in F344 rats, but not statisticallydifferent. However, mean volume and volume fraction of GST-P-positivelesions were much higher in F344 than in both BN and (BNxF344)F1 rats at any time point, with a difference of up to >10-fold.GST-P-positive lesions exhibited a significantly higher labelingindex and much lower remodeling in male F344 than in BN and(BNxF344) F1 rats. HCCs were present at 54–57 weeks afterinitiation in 77% of male F344 and in no (BNxF344) F1 rats andat 70 weeks HCCs were observed in 100% of male F344 and in 23%of (BNxF344) F1 rats. These results suggest that the BN ratstrain is resistant to hepatocarcinogenesis and that its resistanceis genetically transmitted as a dominant character to F1 hybridsof the BN strain with the F344 susceptible strain.     

Renal carcinogenesis, hepatic hemangiomatosis, and embryonic lethality caused by a germ-line Tsc2 mutation in mice

Germ-line mutations of the human TSC2 tumor suppressor gene cause tuberous sclerosis (TSC), a disease characterized by the development of hamartomas in various organs. In the Eker rat, however, a germ-line Tsc2 mutation gives rise to renal cell carcinomas with a complete penetrance. The molecular mechanism for this phenotypic difference between man and rat is currently unknown, and the physiological function of the TSC2/Tsc2 product (tuberin) is not fully understood. To investigate these unsolved problems, we have generated a Tsc2 mutant mouse. Tsc2 heterozygous mutant (Tsc2+/-) mice developed renal carcinomas with a complete penetrance, as seen in the Eker rat, but not the angiomyolipomas characteristic of human TSC, confirming the existence of a species-specific mechanism of tumorigenesis caused by tuberin deficiency. Unexpectedly, approximately 80% of Tsc2+/- mice also developed hepatic hemangiomas that are not observed in either TSC or the Eker rat. Tsc2 homozygous (Tsc2-/-) mutants died around embryonic day 10.5, indicating an essential function for tuberin in mouse embryonic development. Some Tsc2-/- embryos exhibited an unclosed neural tube and/or thickened myocardium. The latter is associated with increased cell density that may be a reflection of loss of a growth-suppressive function of tuberin. The mouse strain described here should provide a valuable experimental model to analyze the function of tuberin and its association with tumorigenesis.     

Establishment of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system to detect the amino terminal secretory form of rat Erc/Mesothelin

By representational difference analysis, we previously identified the rat Erc (Expressed in renal carcinoma) gene that was more abundantly expressed in the renal carcinoma tissues of Eker rats than in the rat normal kidney. In this study, we raised antibodies against the amino-terminal portion of the rat Erc, and demonstrated the existence of a approximately 30-kDa secretory form in the supernatant of cultured cells derived from rat renal carcinoma. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system using these antibodies detected high concentrations of this form in the sera of Eker rats bearing renal carcinomas, and in the sera of rats transplanted with mesothelioma cells. Mesothelin, a human homolog of the rat Erc, was recently reported to be a serum marker of malignant mesothelioma. The prognosis of mesothelioma is poor and there is no effective treatment at present. There are several rat model systems of mesothelioma that may be promising tools in the development of an antimesothelioma treatment. We hope our ELISA to detect the soluble form of rat Erc/Mesothelin is useful in the rat model system to exploit the antimesothelioma therapy to be used in human cases.     

BN rat myeloid leukemia transferred to the (LEW x BN)F1 rat.

The BN rat myelocytic leukemia was transferred to (LEW x BN)F1 rats. In the F1 host the growth, dissemination, and response of this leukemia to chemotherapy were predictable, stable through serial passage, and similar to this leukemia's behavior in the parent strain. Rats given 10(7) spleen cells iv from leukemic donors died in about 3 weeks if untreated or responded to cytosine arabinoside even after overt leukemia had developed. This animal leukemia is useful as a model for human acute myelocytic leukemia.     

Genetics of susceptibility of rats to trigeminal schwannomas induced by neonatal administration of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea

A genetic analysis was done on the induction of trigeminal schwannomas by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea [(ENU) CAS: 759-73-9] in susceptible LE rats, resistant WF rats, and their F1, F2, and reciprocal backcross hybrids. Both sexes of all strains were given a neonatal sc injection of 40 mg ENU/kg body weight and were sacrificed at 6 months after treatment. Many neurogenic tumors were induced in the central nervous system of all strains of rats. However, the incidence of trigeminal schwannomas in LE rats was 93% in males and 86% in females, whereas in WF rats the incidence was 24% in males and 20% in females. F1 and F2 hybrids showed an intermediate susceptibility (62 and 82% in F1 males, 79 and 86% in F2 males, 26 and 38% in F1 females, and 65 and 77% in F2 females). The incidence in hybrids backcrossed to LE was high (90 and 100% in males and 77 and 83% in females), and the incidence in hybrids backcrossed to WF was low (35 and 38% in males and 11 and 7% in females). The findings suggest that susceptibility to the induction of trigeminal schwannomas by ENU does not result from the expression of genes that are simple dominant or recessive genes. A genetic model involving three independently segregating loci may explain the experimental results. In all strains of rats, particularly the F1 hybrids, males were more susceptible than females to the induction of trigeminal schwannomas by ENU.     

A Novel Gene "Niban" Upregulated in Renal Carcinogenesis: Cloning by the cDNA-amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Approach

A modified AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) method was employed to isolate genes differentially expressed in renal carcinogenesis of Tsc2 gene mutant (Eker) rats. One gene, selected for further investigation, was named "Niban" ("second" in Japanese), because it is the second new gene to be found after Erc (expressed in renal carcinoma) in our laboratory. Importantly, "Niban" is well expressed even in small primary rat Eker renal tumors, more than in progressed cell lines, and is also expressed in human renal carcinoma cells, but not in normal human or rat kidneys. Chromosome assignment was to RNO 13 in the rat, and HSA 1. This "Niban" gene is a candidate as a marker for renal tumor, especially early-stage renal carcinogenesis.     

A novel gene "Niban" upregulated in renal carcinogenesis: cloning by the cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism approach.

A modified AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) method was employed to isolate genes differentially expressed in renal carcinogenesis of Tsc2 gene mutant (Eker) rats. One gene, selected for further investigation, was named "Niban" "second" in Japanese), because it is the second new gene to be found after Erc (expressed in renal carcinoma) in our laboratory. Importantly, "Niban" is well expressed even in small primary rat Eker renal tumors, more than in progressed cell lines, and is also expressed in human renal carcinoma cells, but not in normal human or rat kidneys. Chromosome assignment was to RNO 13 in the rat, and HSA 1. This "Niban" gene is a candidate as a marker for renal tumor, especially early-stage renal carcinogenesis.     

Genetic bases of estrogen-induced tumorigenesis in the rat: mapping of loci controlling susceptibility to mammary cancer in a Brown Norway x ACI intercross

Exposure to estrogens is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Our laboratory has shown that the ACI rat is uniquely susceptible to 17beta-estradiol (E2)-induced mammary cancer. We previously mapped two loci, Emca1 and Emca2 (estrogen-induced mammary cancer), that act independently to determine susceptibility to E2-induced mammary cancer in crosses between the susceptible ACI rat strain and the genetically related, but resistant, Copenhagen (COP) rat strain. In this study, we evaluate susceptibility to E2-induced mammary cancer in a cross between the ACI strain and the unrelated Brown Norway (BN) rat strain. Whereas nearly 100% of the ACI rats developed mammary cancer when treated continuously with E2, BN rats did not develop palpable mammary cancer during the 196-day course of E2 treatment. Susceptibility to E2-induced mammary cancer segregated as a dominant or incompletely dominant trait in a cross between BN females and ACI males. In a population of 251 female (BN x ACI)F(2) rats, we observed evidence for a total of five genetic determinants of susceptibility. Two loci, Emca4 and Emca5, were identified when mammary cancer status at sacrifice was evaluated as the phenotype, and three additional loci, Emca6, Emca7, and Emca8, were identified when mammary cancer number was evaluated as the phenotype. A total of three genetic interactions were identified. These data indicate that susceptibility to E2-induced mammary cancer in the BN x ACI cross behaves as a complex trait controlled by at least five loci and multiple gene-gene interactions.     

Strain difference in regulation of pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) in estrogen-induced pituitary tumorigenesis in rats.

Recently a novel oncogene, PTTG (pituitary tumor transforming gene) was isolated from a rat pituitary tumor cell line whose expression is apparently correlated with pituitary tumorigenesis. In the rat, estradiol (E(2)) is known to induce anterior pituitary hyperplasia. The effects of E(2), however, vary greatly among rat strains. Therefore we examined the expression of PTTG and its regulation by E(2) in F344, Wistar, Brown-Norway and Donryu rats. Four-week-old females were ovariectomized and a pellet containing 10 mg of E(2) was given s.c. Total RNA was isolated from the pituitary gland and PTTG mRNA was measured with a competitive RT-PCR technique. The F344 strain was the most susceptible to E(2) induction of pituitary tumorigenesis, followed by Wistar and Brown-Norway, while no increase in pituitary weight was noted in Donryu rats. PTTG mRNA in the gland was induced by E(2) within 48 - 72 h in F344 and Wistar, but not in Brown-Norway or Donryu strains. These data suggest that PTTG expression may at least in part be responsible for strain differences in E(2)-induced pituitary tumorigenesis.     

Genetic role of rat macrophage cytotoxicity against tumor.

Macrophages from the Lewis (Le) rat strain are significantly more cytotoxic to a Moloney sarcoma tumor both in vivo and in vitro, than are macrophages from the Brown Norway (BN) strain. Activity of macrophages from (Le x BN)F1 rats that are histocompatible with the Moloney sarcoma tumor is directed toward tumor and/or virus-associated antigens and is expressed as a dominant genetic trait. Experiments with backcross rats suggest that the genetic factors are unrelated to the major histocompatibility locus (AgB) of the rats. BN microphages, although not active against tumor and/or viral antigens, can become cytotoxic to cells displaying Le alloantigens.     

p53 status in spontaneous and dimethylnitrosamine—induced renal cell tumors from rats

Rats carrying the Eker tumor–susceptibility mutation (Eker rats) are predisposed to developing renal cell carcinoma. Rats heterozygous for the Eker mutation develop spontaneous multiple bilateral renal cell tumors by the age of 1 yr. In a previous study, Eker-mutation carrier and noncarrier rats were exposed to the renal carcinogen dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), and male rats carrying the Eker mutation exhibited a 70-fold increase in the induction of renal adenomas and carcinomas when compared with noncarrier rats. In this study, spontaneous and DMN-induced rat renal cell tumors (adenomas and carcinomas) were analyzed for mutations of the p53 gene by direct sequencing of cDNA polymerase chain reaction products. There were no mutations in p53 cDNA derived from renal tumors from six untreated rats. Mutations were found in one of 15 of the DMN-induced tumors: a transition at codon 140, CCT → CTT, in a renal adenoma. Additionally, seven cell lines derived from spontaneous renal cell tumors did not contain mutations in p53. The low frequency of p53 mutations (one of 21 renal cell tumors and none of seven cell lines derived from renal cell tumors) indicates that the development of both spontaneous and carcinogen-induced renal tumors involved a non–p53-dependent pathway. As p53 is infrequently mutated in human renal cell carcinomas and in rat renal mesenchymal tumors, it is likely that a tumor suppressor gene or genes other than p53 are involved in the development of renal cancer. © 1995 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Fine mapping reveals multiple loci and a possible epistatic interaction within the mammary carcinoma susceptibility quantitative trait locus, Mcs5

To identify high-frequency, low-penetrance breast cancer modifier genes, we have developed a rat genetic model that uses the Wistar-Kyoto (WKy) inbred strain, resistant to developing 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary carcinogenesis, as a congenic donor and the susceptible Wistar-Furth (WF) strain as the recipient. Here, data from congenic rat lines containing smaller WKy genomic intervals of the Mcs5 quantitative trait locus region are presented to fine map three independently acting Mcs5 subloci. WKy-homozygous females from congenic lines defining Mcs5a, Mcs5b, and Mcs5c averaged, respectively, 4.0 +/- 0.4, 11.6 +/- 0.6, and 3.5 +/- 0.4 mammary carcinomas per rat. These phenotypic values are statistically different from the WF-homozygous phenotype value of 8.0 +/- 0.4, which is the baseline phenotype used for these experiments. We identified a likely Mcs5a x Mcs5b epistatic interaction that results in masking the increased susceptibility effect of the Mcs5b WKy allele by the Mcs5a WKy allele. We also provide evidence for a Mcs5a x Mcs5c interaction that is synergistic to decrease mammary carcinoma susceptibility below the additive effects of WKy alleles at each locus independently. The Mcs5 subloci are currently localized to 1.0, 7.5, and 4.5 Mb of rat chromosome 5, and the orthologous regions are on human chromosome 9 and mouse chromosome 4. These loci will provide unbiased candidate gene loci for evaluation in human case-control association studies.