Gene expression profiling of p53(+/-) knockout and wild-type mice following diethylstilbestrol administration

The use of genetically modified mice in cancer risk assessment: challenges and limitations

The use of genetically modified (GM) mice to assess carcinogenicity is playing an increasingly important role in the safety evaluation of chemicals. While progress has been made in developing and evaluating mouse models such as the Trp53⁺/⁻, Tg.AC and the rasH2, the suitability of these models as replacements for the conventional rodent cancer bioassay and for assessing human health risks remains uncertain. The objective of this research was to evaluate the use of accelerated cancer bioassays with GM mice for assessing the potential health risks associated with exposure to carcinogenic agents. We compared the published results from the GM bioassays to those obtained in the National Toxicology Program's conventional chronic mouse bioassay for their potential use in risk assessment. Our analysis indicates that the GM models are less efficient in detecting carcinogenic agents but more consistent in identifying non-carcinogenic agents. We identified several issues of concern related to the design of the accelerated bioassays (e.g., sample size, study duration, genetic stability and reproducibility) as well as pathway-dependency of effects, and different carcinogenic mechanisms operable in GM and non-GM mice. The use of the GM models for dose-response assessment is particularly problematic as these models are, at times, much more or less sensitive than the conventional rodent cancer bioassays. Thus, the existing GM mouse models may be useful for hazard identification, but will be of limited use for dose-response assessment. Hence, caution should be exercised when using GM mouse models to assess the carcinogenic risks of chemicals.

Gadd45 in modulation of solid tumors and leukemia

The stress response gadd45 gene family participates in cell cycle control, cell survival, apoptosis, maintenance of genomic stability, DNA repair, and active DNA demethylation, in response to environmental and physiological stress including oncogenic stress. Given these diverse functions, it is anticipated that gadd45 genes can influence the initiation and progression of malignancy and the response to different treatments. This chapter will provide an overview of how the different members of the gadd45 gene family are expressed in different tumors and leukemia, how this may impact on progression of disease, and what happens when expression is manipulated. Studies from human tumor/leukemia samples, cell lines, and animal models are included in this review. An overriding theme is that each of the gadd45 genes has both tumor suppressor and tumor promoter functions, dependent on the tissue/cell type and transforming event.

The clock gene Per2 is required for normal platelet formation and function

INTRODUCTION

Apoptotic cell death is a highly regulated genetic program, which has been observed in mature megakaryocytes fragmenting into platelets. The clock gene Per2, a key component of core clock oscillator, was involved in affecting both cell cycle control and apoptosis. Thus, loss of Per2 function may be considered potential influence of platelet formation and function.

METHODS

Per2-null mice and C57BL/6 mice were used in the study. Bleeding time, platelet count, megakaryocyte count, megakaryocyte ploidy, megakaryocyte apoptosis, rate of proplatelet formation, clot retraction, platelet aggregation and secretion were performed to evaluate thrombopoiesis and hemostasis. Quantitative RT-PCR was employed to analyze genes expression in liver, bone marrow and enriched megakaryocytes.

RESULTS

The Per2-null mice had nearly 50% platelet counts in peripheral blood. Per2-null platelets were compromised in their ability to aggregate and secretion, consistent with a marked reduction in the number of dense and a-granules. Megakaryocytes from Per2-null mice showed no significant variation in number but increased in ploidy. Ultrastructural examination of Per2-null megakaryocytes revealed many vacuoles in demarcation membranes and reduction in platelet granules. Megakaryocytes from Per2-null bone marrow decreased the rate of proplatelet formation and impaired apoptosis. Per2-null mice showed increased both in Tpo in livers and its receptors C-mpl in bone marrow, and the megakaryocytes from these mice decreased P53 expression, consequently increased Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 level.

CONCLUSIONS

The clock gene Per2 modulating the apoptosis of megakaryocytes was required for platelet formation and function.