Genome editing of Nf1, Pten, and Trp53 in neonatal mice induces glioblastomas positive for oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2

• Published in: Journal of Toxicologic Pathology Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 359 - 365
• Main Authors: Yamamoto, Hiromi, Yamamura, Keisuke, Nagasaki, Haruka, Suzuki, Takamasa, Ninomiya, Fumiko, Matsubara, Kenji, Harada, Naomoto, Ohkubo, Shuichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo JAPANESE SOCIETY OF TOXICOLOGIC PATHOLOGY 01.01.2021; The Japanese Society of Toxicologic Pathology; Japan Science and Technology Agency; Japanese Society of Toxicologic Pathology
• Subjects: animal model; Editing; Electroporation; Forebrain; genome editing; Genomes; Glial fibrillary acidic protein; Glioblastoma; in vivo electroporation; Microvasculature; mouse; Neonates; Neurofilaments; oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2; Proteins; PTEN protein; Short Communication; Transcription factors; Tumor cells; Tumors
• ISSN: 0914-9198; 1881-915X; 1347-7404
• DOI: 10.1293/tox.2021-0029

To generate a mouse glioblastoma model by genome editing, we introduced Cas9 protein and guide RNAs specific for Nf1, Pten, and Trp53 into the neonatal mouse forebrain by electroporation. We found a high incidence (approximately 90%) of glial tumor development, including glioblastomas, 15 weeks later. The histological features of the tumors were similar to those of diffuse gliomas and, in some cases, similar to human glioblastomas, with microvascular proliferation (glomeruloid structure). In addition, unlike glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive glioblastomas generated using a similar method in a previous model, the majority of tumor cells were positive for oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2, but negative for GFAP and neurofilaments. One base pair insertions identical to those seen in a previous model were found around the target sequences in Nf1, Pten, and Trp53, and additional deletions were found only in Pten. Considering that the histological characteristics were different from those seen in the previous model, our new model provides an additional research tool to investigate the early stages of glioblastoma development.