Title:
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Functional evaluation of human colorectal cancer modifiers in the ApcMin/+ genetic model
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Alterations in expression of a number of human genes have been identified as being
essential in the transition of an adenoma to a carcinoma. The genes coding for
Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) , E-cadherin (COH1) and IGF2I Mannose 6phosphate
receptor (IGF2R) are imprinted, epigenetically silenced and mutated
respectively in colorectal cancer. I evaluated the functional consequence of changes
in Ig!2, Cdh1 and Igf2r allelic dosage on intestinal adenoma development in the
Apd'inl+ intestinal adenoma model. Igf210ss of imprinting (L1H1gml+1j and Cdh1 haploinsufficiency
(Cdh1+1
.) alone both resulted in the significant elongation of the intestinal
crypt. In combination with Apcf1inl+ increased allelic Igf2 expression led to increased
adenoma growth independent of systemic growth, and increased adenoma nuclear
l3-catenin staining combined with a reduction in E-Cadherin levels. The introduction
of a transgene expressing a soluble form' of the full length IGF-II/ Mannose 6phosphate
receptor (sIGF2R) in the intestine, which acted as a specific inhibitor of
IGF-II ligand bioavailability (ligand trap), rescued the Igf2 LOI dependent Apcf1inl+
intestinal and adenoma phenotype. Combination of Cdhrl
. with Apcf1inl+ resulted in
an increase in adenoma number independent of any change in adenoma
progression. Increased Igf2r gene dosage' as a result of a targeted deletion within
the imprinting mechanism present on the maternal allele in combination with Apcf1inl+
caused a significant reduction in intestinal and colonic adenoma number. The
combinations of these modifications resulted in an additive phenotype within the
crypts of .!J.H1gml+P, Cdh1+1
., Apc+l+ mice and possible synergistic effects in the
presence of Apcf1inl+ that resulted in a peri-natal lethality phenotype of .!J.H1gml+p
,
Cdh1+1
', Apcf1iril+ mice. These data suggested that allelic dosage of Igf2, Cdh1 and
Igf2r genes had modest modifier activity alone. However when either combined
together, or with the Apcf1inl+ tumour initiating mutation, exerted potent additive and
synergistic activity in vivo.
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