TGF-alpha Transgenic Mice Research Articles

The zinc-finger protein KCMF1 is overexpressed during pancreatic cancer development and downregulation of KCMF1 inhibits pancreatic cancer development in mice

Potassium channel modulatory factor 1 (KCMF1) was found upregulated in a differential screen in the metaplastic epithelium in the pancreas of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha transgenic mice. Expression analysis indicated broad overexpression in human cancer tissues. Therefore, we investigated the hypothesis that KCMF1 promotes metaplastic changes and tumor development. KCMF1 represents an evolutionarily highly conserved protein with a 95% identity between human and zebrafish. KCMF1 is expressed during embryonic development and in the majority of adult tissues investigated. Upregulation of nuclear KCMF1 expression is evident in preneoplastic lesions and in several epithelial malignancies, such as pancreatic cancer in mice and humans. In cell culture and in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane model, KCMF1 enhances proliferation, migration and invasion of HEK-293 and Panc1 cells. In crossbreeding experiments, KCMF1-knockdown gene trap mice showed a reduced number and size of premalignant lesions and absence of pancreatic cancer formation in TGF-alpha transgenic mice. This effect is related to the decreased expression of G1 to S cell-cycle regulators such as cyclin D and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4. Our data support the hypothesis that KCMF1 mediates pro-oncogenic functions in vitro and in vivo and downregulation of KCMF1 results in the inhibition of pancreatic cancer formation in mice. These effects are mediated through downregulation of cell-cycle control genes such as cyclin D and CDK4.

Transforming growth factor‐α accelerates hepatocyte repopulation after hepatocyte transplantation

Although hepatocyte transplantation could be an alternative to orthotopic liver transplantation, many problems, such as rejection, location, required volume, and hepatocyte activity are currently unresolved. We previously demonstrated an anti-apoptotic effect in transgenic mice overexpressing transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha. We herein present the details of a successful hepatocyte transplantation using TGF-alpha transgenic mice. We used transgenic (TG) mice which overexpressed human TGF-alpha controlled by the metallothionein promoter. Wild-type mice were used as the controls (WT). Parenchymal hepatocytes were isolated from an adult mouse by the modified in situ perfusion method. The proliferation and resistance to Fas-induced apoptosis were examined in vitro. In addition, we transplanted the parenchymal hepatocytes into the peritoneal cavity of the WT mice. The TG hepatocytes showed higher proliferative activity and more resistance to Fas-induced apoptosis in comparison to the WT hepatocytes. Moreover, an immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the transplanted TG hepatocytes increased more in size and showed a higher expression of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor in comparison to the WT hepatocytes. We also observed that albumin was expressed in equal amounts in both types of transplanted hepatocytes. Cell transplantation with TGF-alpha overexpressing hepatocytes could preserve hepatocyte function.

Maspin expression inversely correlates with breast tumor progression in MMTV/TGF-alpha transgenic mouse model.

Maspin is a novel serine protease inhibitor (serpin) with tumor suppressive activity. To date, despite the mounting evidence implicating the potential diagnostic/prognostic and therapeutic value of maspin in breast and prostate carcinoma, the lack of a suitable animal model hampers the in vivo investigation on the role of maspin at different stages of tumor progression. In this study, we used MMTV/TGF-alpha transgenic mouse model to study the expression profile of maspin in mammary tumor progression. Histopathological examinations of MMTV/TGF-alpha transgenic mice revealed TGF-alpha expression leading to hyperproliferation, hyperplasia, and occasional carcinoma in mammary gland. Interestingly, when MMTV/TGF-alpha transgenic mice were breed to homozygocity, they also developed characteristic skin papillomas. Immunohistochemistry analysis of maspin expression in the breast tissues of TGF-alpha transgenic mice showed a direct correlation between down-regulation of maspin expression and tumor progression. The loss of maspin expression was concomitant with the critical transition from carcinoma in situ to invasive carcinoma. Subsequent in-situ hybridization analyses suggest that the down-regulation of maspin expression is primarily a transcriptional event. This data is consistent with the tumor suppressive role of maspin. Furthermore, our data suggests that MMTV/TGF-alpha transgenic mouse model is advantageous for in vivo evaluation of both the expression and the biological function of maspin during the slow multi-stage carcinogenesis of mammary gland.

Effect of alpha-tocopherol on hepatocarcinogenesis in transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) transgenic mice treated with diethylnitrosamine.

To examine the potentially chemopreventive effects of alpha-tocopherol on hepatocarcinogenesis, we fed the transgenic mice line MT42, which overexpresses transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and which has been established as having a high incidence of liver tumor, with different concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and examined the hepatic tumorigenesis of these mice. At 3 weeks of age, MT42 male mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), 5 mg/kg body weight, to initiate the formation of liver tumors. The mice were divided into three groups: group A, control diet (20 mg/kg of alpha-tocopherylacetate); group B, deficient diet (less than 1 mg/kg); group C, supplemented diet (500 mg/kg). Neoplastic change was determined at 40 weeks of age. The incidence of adenomas (p < 0.05), the maximum tumor size (p < 0.01), the mean relative liver weight (p < 0.01), and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling indices of the non-tumor sites (p < 0.01) of group B were significantly higher than those of group C. No toxic effects of alpha-tocopherol were found. Alpha-tocopherol-deficient diet accelerated the hepatocarcinogenesis of TGF-alpha transgenic mice treated with DEN. At best, these data demonstrate that alpha-tocopherol-deficiency is not beneficial for prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis in this model. Alpha-tocopherol may be useful for the chemoprevention for liver cancer.

Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor in Transgenic Mice Causes Growth Retardation

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of peptides signals through the erbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases and plays important roles in development and tumorigenesis. Both EGF and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha only bind to erbB1 and activate it. The precursor of EGF is distinct from that of TGF-alpha in having eight additional EGF-like repeats. We have recently shown that the EGF precursor without these repeats is biologically active and leads to hypospermatogenesis in transgenic mice. Here we present evidence that the growth of transgenic mice widely expressing this engineered EGF precursor is also stunted. These mice were consistently born at half the normal weight and reached almost 80% of normal weight at adulthood. The mechanism involved a reduction of serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3. Chondrocyte development in the growth plate was affected, and osteoblasts accumulated in the endosteum and periosteum. Besides these novel findings on the in vivo effects of EGF on bone development, we observed no sign of tumor formation in our transgenic animals. In contrast to previous reports on TGF-alpha transgenic mice, we show that the biological functions of EGF and TGF-alpha are clearly distinct.

Attenuation of acute lung injury in transgenic mice expressing human transforming growth factor-alpha.

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is produced in the lung in experimental and human lung diseases; however, its physiological actions after lung injury are not understood. To determine the influence of TGF-alpha on acute lung injury, transgenic mouse lines expressing differing levels of human TGF-alpha in distal pulmonary epithelial cells under control of the surfactant protein C gene promoter were generated. TGF-alpha transgenic and nontransgenic control mice were exposed to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Teflon) fumes to induce acute lung injury. Length of survival of four separate TGF-alpha transgenic mouse lines was significantly longer than that of nontransgenic control mice, and survival correlated with the levels of TGF-alpha expression in the lung. The transgenic line expressing the highest level of TGF-alpha (line 28) and nontransgenic control mice were then compared at time intervals of 2, 4, and 6 h of PTFE exposure for differences in pulmonary function, lung histology, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein and cell differential, and lung homogenate proinflammatory cytokines. Line 28 TGF-alpha transgenic mice demonstrated reduced histological changes, decreased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid total protein and neutrophils, and delayed alterations in pulmonary function measures of airway obstruction compared with those in nontransgenic control mice. Both line 28 and nontransgenic control mice had similar increases in interleukin-1beta protein levels in lung homogenates. In contrast, interleukin-6 and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 levels were significantly reduced in line 28 transgenic mice compared with those in nontransgenic control mice. In the transgenic mouse model, TGF-alpha protects against PTFE-induced acute lung injury, at least in part, by attenuating the inflammatory response.

Acinar-ductal-carcinoma sequence in transforming growth factor-alpha transgenic mice.

Transgenic mice overexpressing transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) display an expansion of intrapancreatic fibroblasts and a progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix. This massive fibrosis is associated with an increase in pancreatic size and weight. In parallel, tubular complexes appear that are composed of acinar cells with a decreased height. These acinar cell lose zymogen granules and become transitional cells, which subsequently gain duct cell features. In animals older than one year dysplastic lesions develop, which originate from tubular complexes. Occasionally these dysplastic foci transform to papillary and cystic pancreatic carcinoma. These tumors are positive for the duct-specific antigen Duct-1 and carbonic anhydrase activity indicative of ductal differentiation. Tumors overexpress the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor and p53, but lack K-ras mutations. These data suggest an acinar-ductal-carcinoma sequence in TGF-alpha transgenic mice.

Hepatocyte growth factor in transgenic mice.

In order to clarify the function of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in vivo, we have developed transgenic mice expressing HGF in the liver. The bromodeoxyuridine labelling indices in livers from HGF transgenic mice were doubled, compared to those from wild type mice. Livers of HGF transgenic mice expressed high levels of c-myc, which was the consequence of increased transcription rates through the c-myc promoter. After 70% partial hepatectomy, the livers of HGF transgenic mice recovered in half the time needed for their normal siblings. Since we found that HGF inhibits growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro, we have made two kinds of double transgenic mice: HGF/TGF alpha and HGF/c-myc mice. The double transgenic mice expressing both HGF and TGF alpha had lower tumour yields, compared to TGF alpha transgenic mice. The HGF/c-myc double transgenic mice had a lower incidence of hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) and HCC in comparison with c-myc transgenic mice. In HGF/c-myc mice, there were more apoptotic cells and less mitotic cells than c-myc transgenic mice. These data indicate that HGF inhibits growth and occurrence of HCC in vivo. We also found that HGF protects liver from D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced injury. Hepatic prostaglandin E 2 (PGE2) contents in HGF transgenic mice were much higher than those in wild type mice, and were associated with hepatic HGF contents. An anti-HGF antibody inhibits production of PGE2 in liver after D-GalN administration. These data suggest that HGF protects liver from D-GalN-induced injury through increased liver PGE2 production. The data obtained from HGF transgenic mice suggests the possibility that HGF could be applicable for therapy of human liver diseases in the future.

Reactivation of the maternally imprinted IGF2 allele in TGFalpha induced hepatocellular carcinomas in mice.

The Insulin like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene is expressed in several types of tumors in humans and mice and has been implicated as an important growth factor in tumor progression. IGF2 expression in the TGF alpha transgenic mice was analysed in liver and tumors from animals which also contained one or two functional IGF2 alleles. In a two by two mating experiment using transgenic mice containing either a TGF alpha transgene or a IGF2 gene knockout, we have investigated whether IGF2 imprinting is reversed during hepatocarcinogenesis and the consequences of IGF2 expression for tumor growth. We observed that: (1) 100% of the hepatocellular carcinomas expressed IGF2 (2) the normally imprinted maternal allele is active in the tumors in which the paternal allele is knocked out and (3) all three of the murine IGF2 promoters upstream of the reactivated maternal alleles are transcriptionally active in tumors. We also observed that the total tumor burden of animals with two wild type IGF-2 alleles (paternal and maternal) was the same as the tumor burden in animals which contained only a single reactivated maternal allele. The 100% incidence of reactivation of the imprinted maternal allele suggests that IGF2 expression is selected during murine hepatocarcinogenesis and can substitute for the paternal allele when it is inactivated.

Activation of erbB2 and c-src in phorbol ester-treated mouse epidermis: possible role in mouse skin tumor promotion.

In recent work we showed that the EGF receptor (EGFr) was activated in tumor promoter treated mouse epidermis (Cell Growth & Differentiation, 6: 1447-1455, 1995). In the present study, we have investigated the possible role of other erbB family members in the process of tumor promotion. Both erbB2 and erbB3, but not erbB4, were expressed in cultured mouse keratinocytes and in mouse epidermis in vivo. In cultured mouse keratinocytes, EGF stimulated rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of erbB2 followed by a time-dependent degradation of erbB2 protein. Furthermore, an increase in erbB2:EGFr heterodimer formation was also induced by EGF. In contrast to the results with erbB2, EGF did not induce tyrosine phosphorylation, the degradation of erbB3, or erbB3:EGFr heterodimer formation in cultured keratinocytes. Further analyses revealed that c-src kinase activity was dramatically elevated in cultured mouse keratinocytes exposed to EGF. In mouse epidermis following multiple treatments with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), the phosphotyrosine content of erbB2 was significantly elevated in a dose-dependent manner. Concomittantly, erbB2:EGFr heterodimer formation and c-src kinase activity were also elevated in TPA-treated epidermis. Structure-activity relationships with several phorbol ester analogs showed that the elevated phosphorylation of erbB2 in mouse epidermis followed closely with tumor promoting ability. Activation of erbB2 and c-src kinase were also observed in the epidermis of TGF alpha transgenic mice where expression of human TGF alpha was targeted to basal keratinocytes with the human K14 promoter. Collectively, the current data suggest that the activation of erbB2 in phorbol ester treated skin can be explained solely by a mechanism involving elevation of EGFr ligands and activation of the EGFr. In addition, activation of c-src may be an important downstream effector in mouse keratinocytes both in vivo and in vitro, following activation of the EGFr, erbB2, or both.

Enhanced sensitivity to tumor growth and development in multistage skin carcinogenesis by transforming growth factor-alpha-induced epidermal growth factor receptor activation but not p53 inactivation.

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) can stimulate keratinocyte proliferation and function as an autocrine tumor promoter in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated TGF alpha-transgenic mouse skin. In this study, we examined the effect of ectopic TGF alpha transgene expression on skin tumor growth and progression after DMBA initiation in the presence of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Both the multiplicity and size of skin tumors arising in TGF alpha-transgenic mice were significantly higher than those of the nontransgenic parental CD-1 strain. There were more dysplastic papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in the transgenic animals as well. ProTGF alpha protein was expressed in transgenic papillomas, but mature TGF alpha was not detected. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) appeared to be downregulated and was associated with enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of several substrates in TGF alpha-transgenic mouse tumors. Characteristic codon 61 mutations in the Ha-ras gene were found in most of the papillomas and SCCs induced by DMBA and TPA in transgenic as well as nontransgenic mice. However, no p53 gene mutations were found in any skin tumors from either transgenic or control animals. Analysis of cellular proliferation in both DMBA-TPA-induced papillomas and in skin 48 h after TPA treatment alone revealed significantly more DNA synthesis in TGF alpha-transgenic mice relative to controls. These results demonstrate that TGF alpha, through EGFR overstimulation, can act synergistically with TPA to induce the formation, growth, and development of DMBA-initiated skin tumors containing classic Ha-ras gene mutations but not p53 gene inactivation.

Transgenic mice reveal roles for TGFalpha and EGF receptor in mammary gland development and neoplasia.

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha)4 and/or the EGF receptor (EGFR) are frequently overexpressed by human and rodent breast tumors, as well as tumor-derived cell lines. Additionally, various observations suggest a role for TGFalpha and the EGFR signaling system in normal mouse mammary gland development. Recently, several laboratories have established TGFalpha transgenic mice with which to study the role of this growth factor in normal and neoplastic mammary biology. Examination of these mice revealed that overexpression of TGFalpha has profound consequences for this tissue. Most strikingly, transgenic mice expressing TGFalpha under the control of tissue-specific and nonspecific promoters stochastically developed focal mammary tumors with an incidence and latency that was markedly affected by pregnancy. Most TGFalpha-induced tumors were well-differentiated adenomas/adenocarcinomas, although some were undifferentiated and locally invasive. Distant metastases were only occasionally observed. Administration of the genotoxic carcinogen, 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), dramatically accelerated mammary tumorigenesis induced by the TGFalpha transgene, raising the possibility that TGFalpha acts as a promoter in this tissue. Mice harboring dual transgenes encoding TGFalpha and either wild-type ERBB2 or c-myc displayed markedly accelerated tumorigenesis compared to mice carrying any of the single transgenes alone, indicative of potent cooperativity. Moreover, tumorigenesis in the bitransgenic mice was less dependent on pregnancy, and tumors were generally more malignant in appearance. Finally, TGFalpha also affected mammary gland dynamics. TGFalpha transgenic mice consistently displayed precocious alveolar development, were variably impaired with respect to lactation, and showed markedly reduced postlactional involution. As a result, the glands of multiparous females accumulated hyperplastic lesions that generally resembled milk-producing alveoli. Limited data support the hypothesis that these lesions were precursors to TGFalpha-induced tumors. In summary, these various findings underscore the potential importance of TGFalpha for cellular differentiation and transformation in the mammary gland. They also establish TGFalpha transgenic mice as a powerful model with which to study the role of EGFR signaling molecules in this dynamic tissue.

Histochemical analysis of hyperplastic stomach of TGF-alpha transgenic mice.

Hypertrophic gastric mucosa in transgenic mice overexpressing transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha showed mucosal cellular hyperplasia with dysplasia, suppression of gastric acid secretion, and chief and parietal cell depletion. In order to clarify the effects of TGF-alpha on the gastric mucosa, we analyzed the stomach of TGF-alpha transgenic mice by mucin histochemical staining and immunohistochemical analysis of TGF-alpha. In transgenic mice, especially those older than 3 months, the fundic gland was notably atrophic but the total mucosa was thickened. The mucous neck cells were hypersecretory and associated with abnormal sulfation. Mucosal hyperplasia was caused by proliferation of surface epithelial cells, associated with formation of intracytoplasmic lumina. The hyperplastic foveolar cells revealed production of a high amount of sialomucin. In addition, the involved stomach regionally revealed collagenous fibrosis in the submucosal layer. The wide distribution of TGF-alpha in the hyperplastic foveolar cells was in sharp contrast to negative expression in the foveolar cells in the control mice. These findings demonstrated the various regulatory functions of TGF-alpha in mucin production, fibrogenesis, and neck cell proliferation in the stomach.

Potentiation of diethylstilbestrol-induced alterations in the female mouse reproductive tract by transforming growth factor-alpha transgene expression.

Neonatal estrogen exposure causes numerous abnormalities in the female reproductive tract, including carcinogenesis. One mechanism by which neonatal estrogen elicits teratogenic and carcinogenic effects is epigenetic and involves the modulation of a number of estrogen-regulated genes including epidermal growth factor (EGF). Because of the evidence that there is an integral relationship between the EGF family, estrogen action, and the regulation of the growth and differentiation of the reproductive tract, we used transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) transgenic mice to investigate the interaction of constitutive TGF alpha expression with the potent estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the induction of reproductive-tract alterations. Our study was designed to determine whether TGF alpha expression could modulate DES-induced carcinogenesis of the female mouse reproductive tract. The animals were homozygous TGF alpha transgenic female mice from the MT42 line and the parental CD-1 outbred mice. The presence of the TGF alpha transgene significantly increased the incidence of DES-induced vaginal adenosis, uterine endometrial hyperplasia, uterine polyps, hypospadia, benign ovarian cysts, and pituitary adenomas. However, constitutive TGF alpha expression did not promote reproductive-tract neoplasia. This study demonstrates that TGF alpha participates in the regulation of developmental and morphogenic events in the Müllerian duct and urogenital sinus, suggesting a role for TGF alpha in the pathogenesis of reproductive-tract diseases. Furthermore, we showed that although constitutive expression of the TGF alpha transgene did have an effect on the reproductive tract, TGF alpha overexpression alone could not substitute for DES as a reproductive-tract carcinogen or as a promoter of uterine neoplasia, indicating that DES-induced carcinogenesis requires events in addition to the overexpression of this single peptide growth factor.

Interactions of TCDD with signal transduction and neoplastic development in c-myc transgenic and TGF-alpha transgenic mice

The environmental pollutant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is one of the most potent tumour promoters in rodent liver (Pitot et al. 1980). TCDD enhances the expansion of preneoplastic liver foci finally leading to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The exact mechanism of action of TCDD as a tumour promoter, however, in particular the role of dioxin receptor-mediated signalling pathways, is unknown. Recently, it has been shown, that TCDD inhibits apoptosis of preneoplastic hepatocytes rather than enhancing their proliferation (Stinchcombe et al. 1995).

Interactions of TCDD with signal transduction and neoplastic development in c-myc transgenic and TGF-alpha transgenic mice

Interactions of TCDD with signal transduction and neoplastic development in c-myc transgenic and TGF-alpha transgenic mice

Molecular analyses of liver tumors in c-myc transgenic mice and c-myc and TGF-alpha double transgenic mice.

It has been demonstrated that co-expression of c-myc and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) as transgenes in the mouse liver results in a tremendous acceleration of neoplastic development in this organ as compared to expression of either transgene alone [Murakami, H., et al. (1993) Cancer Res., 53, 1719-1723]. In order to clarify the roles of transgenes and additional other genetic alterations during hepatocarcinogenesis, we analyzed liver tumors developed in albumin/c-myc transgenic mice and albumin/c-myc and MT-1/TGF-alpha double transgenic mice. High expression of TGF-alpha transgene was found in nine of 14 (64%) liver tumors in double transgenic mice, suggesting that TGF-alpha overexpression confers growth advantage during hepatocarcinogenesis. Only one of 14 (7%) liver tumors in double transgenic mice and none of 13 liver tumors in c-myc transgenic mice showed overexpression of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II). This result was in contrast to the report by Takagi et al. [Takagi, H., et al. (1992) Cancer Res., 52, 5171-5177] which showed overexpression of IGF-II in 75% of liver tumors in TGF-alpha transgenic mice and suggested that the presence of c-myc transgenes together with TGF-alpha from an early stage of hepatocarcinogenesis may lead to different carcinogenic pathways which are independent of IGF-II overexpression. Expression of c-myc transgene was found in most of the liver tumors, but at lower levels than non-tumorous parts of the liver in c-myc and double transgenic mice. These results suggest that c-myc transgene expression cooperates with TGF-alpha in the early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis but has growth disadvantage in later stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. There was no evidence of mutational activation of the H-ras gene or mutational inactivation of the p53 gene in any liver tumors developed in c-myc or double transgenic mice.

TGFα can act as a chemoattractant to perioptic mesenchymal cells in developing mouse eyes

Growth factors are believed to play an important role in regulating cell fate and cell behavior during embryonic development. Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) superfamily, is a small polypeptide growth factor. Upon binding to its receptor, the EGF receptor (EGFR), TGF alpha can exert diverse biological activities, such as induction of cell proliferation or differentiation. To explore the possibility that TGF alpha might regulate cell fate during murine eye development, we generated transgenic mice that express human TGF alpha in the lens under the control of the mouse alpha A-crystallin promoter. The transgenic mice displayed multiple eye defects, including corneal opacities, cataracts and microphthalmia. At early embryonic stages TGF alpha induced the perioptic mesenchymal cells to migrate abnormally into the eye and accumulate around the lens. In situ hybridization revealed that the EGFR mRNA is highly expressed in the perioptic mesenchyme, suggesting that the migratory response is mediated by receptor activation. In order to test this model, the TGF alpha transgenic mice were bred to EGFR mutant waved-2 (wa-2) mice. We found that the eye defects of the TGF alpha transgenic mice are significantly abated in the wa-2 homozygote background. Because the EGFR mutation in the wa-2 mice is located in the receptor kinase domain, this result indicates that the receptor tyrosine kinase activity is critical for signaling the migratory response. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that TGF alpha is capable of altering the migratory decisions and behavior of perioptic mesenchyme during eye development.

Cause of failure of lactation in mouse mammary tumor virus/human transforming growth factor alpha transgenic mice.

Transgenic female mice bearing human transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) cDNA under the control of the mouse mammary tumor virus enhancer/promoter became pregnant but failed lactation. TGF alpha mRNA was detected in the mammary glands of these mice by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. By the use of collagenase-dissociated mammary epithelial cells, the binding of prolactin to its receptor was determined before and after parturition. At the end of pregnancy, the binding in TGF alpha transgenic (TGF alpha [+]) mice was small and its amount was comparable to that in the TGF alpha negative (TGF alpha [-]) mice. On the day of parturition, prolactin binding in TGF alpha (+) mice increased approximately 1.9-fold (insignificant), while that in TGF alpha (-) mice elevated over 5.3-fold (P < 0.01). The binding sites per cell were also higher in TGF alpha (-)mice. Radioimmunoassay of prolactin suggested that in TGF alpha (+) mice the low level of prolactin binding after parturition was not due to masking effect of serum prolactin. Among six TGF alpha (+) mice assayed, one mother with the highest prolactin binding activity (3.7-fold increase) initiated lactation, but the others did not. As there was little difference between groups in the growth and synthesis in the mammary glands, it was concluded that the failure of lactation in TGF alpha (+) mice is principally due to the lack of elevation of mammary prolactin receptor after parturition. At present, the role of TGF alpha in this process is obscure; however, TGF alpha was revealed not to interfere with the binding of prolactin to the receptor.

Rapid development of hepatic tumors in transforming growth factor alpha transgenic mice associated with increased cell proliferation in precancerous hepatocellular lesions initiated by N-nitrosodiethylamine and promoted by phenobarbital.

The carcinogenic and tumor-promoting effects of human transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) overexpression were examined in a two-stage chemical carcinogenesis protocol using TGF-alpha transgenic mouse line MT42. Male MT42 and CD-1 mice received a single i.p. injection of 5 mg N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN)/kg body wt at 15 days of age, and were placed on a diet containing 0.05% of phenobarbital (PB) from 4 weeks of age for 35 weeks. DEN-, PB-treated and saline-injected animals in each strain were used as controls. A total of three sequential sacrifices (at 10, 23 and 37 experimental weeks) was performed. Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) developed earlier at high incidence (100%) after 23 experimental weeks in MT42 mice receiving DEN/PB, while CD-1 mice had a 40% incidence of HCCs only after week 37. HCCs also developed in the DEN-initiated MT42 mice at 80% incidence after week 23, but no HCCs were observed in the DEN-initiated CD-1 mice. PB induced preneoplastic foci (67%), adenomas (33%) and HCCs (33%) after 37 weeks in MT42 mice, but no lesions were found in CD-1 mice. Thus, the carcinogenic response to DEN and/or PB was accelerated in the MT42 transgenic mice. Furthermore, PB promotion was observed from week 10 in MT42 mice and week 23 in CD-1 mice. Thus, the promoting effect of PB was also accelerated in the MT42 transgenic mice. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling indices of hepatocellular foci and adenomas in DEN- or DEN/PB-treated MT42 mice were significantly higher than those of CD-1 mice. TGF-alpha expression determined by immunohistochemistry revealed higher levels in these lesions than in hepatocytes of surrounding parenchyma of MT42 transgenic mice. In conclusion, TGF-alpha transgenic mice clearly demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in the DEN initiation and PB promotion regime, possibly through a mechanism of increased hepatocyte proliferation in precancerous lesions (foci and adenomas), driven by high expression of the mitogen TGF-alpha in these lesions.