simplified tumour model established via Epstein-Barr virus-encoded, nasopharyngeal carcinoma-derived oncogene latent membrane protein 1 in immunocompetent mice

• Published in: Laboratory animals (London) Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 193 - 203
• Main Authors: Chow, Kai-Ping N, Wu, C.C, Chang, H.Y, Chang, C, Chang, Y.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.04.2008
• Subjects: animal disease models; Animals; BALB 3T3 Cells; carcinoma; Carcinoma - immunology; Cell Line, Tumor; Disease Models, Animal; DNA, Neoplasm - chemistry; DNA, Neoplasm - genetics; Human herpesvirus 4; Immunocompetence; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Mice, SCID; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - genetics; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - immunology; nasopharynx; Neoplasm Transplantation; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Transfection; Viral Matrix Proteins - biosynthesis; Viral Matrix Proteins - genetics; Viral Matrix Proteins - immunology; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); oncogene latent membrane protein 1 (N-LMP1); tumour mouse model
• ISSN: 0023-6772; 1758-1117
• DOI: 10.1258/la.2007.006037

The expression and immune modulation of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded oncogene latent membrane protein 1 (N-LMP1) is essential in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In previous studies, cell transformation has been induced by the expression of EBV-encoded N-LMP1 in non-tumour BALB/c-3T3 cells and these cells have then been used to form tumours in T-cell-deficient nude mice. However, studies using this model have been limited by the lack of a competent immune system. To facilitate the study of immune components in N-LMP1-driven oncogenesis, we herein developed a simplified N-LMP1-derived tumour model in immunocompetent mice. Cell transformation was induced by the expression of N-LMP1 in BALB/c-3T3 cells, and these transformants were used to induce oncogenesis in BALB/c mice. In contrast to the 100% successful tumour-induction rate in nude mice treated with monodispersed transformed cells, the tumour incidence in BALB/c mice was only 5-36%. However, the transplantation of tumour fragments into BALB/c mice yielded a reproducible tumour-induction rate of >85%, which is acceptable for most of the research needs. This novel model of N-LMP1-directed oncogenesis in an immunocompetent environment may serve as an important platform for the future assessment of N-LMP1-targeted tumour therapies.