Mouse Prostate (mouse + prostate)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Peripheral T,cell tolerance occurs early during spontaneous prostate cancer development and can be rescued by dendritic cell immunization

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
Elena Degl'Innocenti
Abstract In the tumor-prone transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) mouse model we followed the fate of the immune response against the SV40 large T,antigen (Tag) selectively expressed in the prostate epithelium during the endogenous transformation from normal cells to tumors. Young (5,7-week-old) male TRAMP mice, despite a dim and patchy expression of Tag overlapping foci of mouse prostate intraepithelial neoplasia, displayed a strong Tag-specific cytotoxic T,lymphocyte (CTL) response after an intradermal injection of peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DC). This response was weaker than the one found in vaccinated wild-type littermates, and was characterized by a reduced frequency and avidity of Tag-specific CTL. Early DC vaccination also subverted the profound state of peripheral tolerance typically found in TRAMP mice older than 9,10,weeks. The DC-induced CTL response indeed was still detectable in TRAMP mice of 16,weeks, and was associated with histology evidence of reduced disease progression. Our findings suggest that tumor antigens are handled as self antigens, and peripheral tolerance is associated with in situ antigen overexpression and cancer progression. Our data also support a relevant role for DC-based vaccines in controlling the induction of peripheral tolerance to tumor antigens. [source]


Characterization of the nuclear matrix proteins in a transgenic mouse model for prostate cancer

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2002
Eddy S. Leman
Abstract The nuclear matrix (NM) contains a number of proteins that have been found to be associated with transformation. We have previously identified changes in the NM associated with prostate cancer. In this study, we examine the molecular changes that are associated with prostate cancer development in transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model by studying the differences in the NM proteins (NMPs). We collected prostates from the TRAMP males at six critical time points: 6 weeks (puberty), 11 and 19 weeks (development of mild hyperplasia), 25 weeks (development of severe hyperplasia), 31 and 37 weeks (development of neoplasia). The nuclear matrices from the prostates collected at these time points were then isolated and the NMPs were characterized by high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. We found three NMPs (E1A, E1B, and E1C) that were present in the 6-week-old prostate and two NMPs (E2A and E2B) that were present in the 11-week-old prostate. These NMPs were absent in the 31- and 37-week-old prostate. We also found five NMPs (E3A,E3E) that were present in the 31-week-old prostate, but absent in the earlier time points. In addition, three NMPs (Le1, Le2, Le3) were present at higher expression in the 6-, 11-, 19-, and 25-weeks old TRAMP prostates, but they were expressed lower during the development of neoplasia at 31- and 37-weeks old. Identification of these NMPs permits the development of novel markers that can characterize various stages of prostate cancer development as well as potentially therapeutic targets. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 203,212, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Interspecies comparison of prostate cancer gene-expression profiles reveals genes associated with aggressive tumors

THE PROSTATE, Issue 10 2009
Itai Kela
Abstract Prostate cancer (PC) is a heterogeneous disease whose aggressive phenotype is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. The identification of key molecules and pathways that play a pivotal role in PC progression towards an aggressive form is crucial. A major effort towards this end has been taken by global analyses of gene expression profiles. However, the large body of data did not provide a definitive idea about the genes which are associated with the aggressive growth of PC. In order to identify such genes, we performed an interspecies comparison between several human data sets and high quality microarray data that we generated from the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) strain. The TRAMP PC mimics the histological and pathological appearance as well as the aggressive phenotype of human PC (huPC). Analysis of the microarray data, derived from microdissected TRAMP specimens removed at different stages of the disease yielded genetic signatures delineating the TRAMP PC development and progression. Comparison of the TRAMP data with a set of genes representing the core expression signature of huPC yielded a limited set genes. Some of these genes are known predictors of poor prognosis in huPC. Interestingly, the modulation of genes responsible for the invasive phenotype of huPC occurs in TRAMP already during the transition to prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and onwards to localized tumors. We therefore suggest that critical oncogenic events leading to an aggressive phenotype of huPC can be studied in the PIN stage of TRAMP. Prostate 69:1034,1044, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Partially circumventing peripheral tolerance for oncogene-specific prostate cancer immunotherapy

THE PROSTATE, Issue 7 2008
Yilin C. Neeley
Abstract BACKGROUND Failure of cancer immunotherapy is essentially due to immunological tolerance to tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), as these antigens are also expressed in healthy tissues. METHODS Here, we used transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice, which develop lethal prostate cancer due to prostate-specific expression of SV40 T antigen (Tag), to evaluate effects of prostatic transformation on oncogene TAA-specific tolerance and to test the possibility of breaking such tolerance using a modified recombinant vaccinia virus. RESULTS We showed that Tag expression in TRAMP mice is uniquely extra-thymic, and levels of prostatic Tag expression positively correlate with malignant transformation of the prostate. Yet, young tumor-free TRAMP mice were tolerant to Tag antigen. We therefore attempted overcoming such peripheral oncogene-specific T cell tolerance through immunization with a vaccinia construct encoding Tag immunogenic epitopes. This vaccination modality showed that oncogene-specific tolerance was successfully overcome by effective in vivo priming of Tag-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). However, this was restricted to young TRAMP mice. Tag-specific CTL from "tumor naïve" young TRAMP mice showed significant anti-tumor efficacy in vivo by eliminating established heterotopic prostate tumors and prolonging survival in SCID mice harboring Tag-expressing tumors. In contrast, older TRAMP mice with established prostate tumors exhibited oncogene-specific tolerance as evidenced by failure to generate Tag-specific CTL following Tag-specific immunization. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral tolerance can be overcome for effective anti-tumor therapy following oncogene-specific immunization. However, this ability to elicit oncogene-specific CTL is impeded in the tumor-bearing host, in the context of increased oncogene expression associated with tumor progression. Prostate 68: 715,727, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Prostate-Specific genes and their regulation by dihydrotestosterone

THE PROSTATE, Issue 3 2008
Ma Ci
Abstract BACKGROUND Prostate is a well-known androgen-dependent tissue. METHODS By sequencing 4,294,186 serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) tags, we have investigated the transcriptomes of normal mouse prostate, liver, testis, lung, brain, femur, skin, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, vagina, ovary, mammary gland, and uterus in order to identify the most abundant and tissue-specific transcripts in the prostate, as well as to target the androgen responsive transcripts specifically regulated in the prostate. Small interference RNA (siRNA) in LNCaP cells was applied to validate the roles of prostate-specific/enriched ARGs in the growth of human prostate cancer cells. RESULTS The most abundant transcripts were involved in prostatic secretion, energy metabolism and immunity. Previously well-known prostate-specific transcripts, including many transcripts involved in prostatic secretion, polyamine biosynthesis and transport, and immunity were specific/enriched in the prostate. Only 22 transcripts among 114 androgen-regulated genes (ARGs) in the mouse prostate were modulated by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in two or more tissues. The siRNA results showed that inhibition of HSPA5 and MAT2A gene expression repressed growth of human cancer LNCaP cells. Conclusions The current study globally assessed the transcriptome of the prostate and revealed the most abundant and tissue-specific transcripts which are responsible for the unique functions of this organ. These prostate-specific ARGs might be used as targets to develop safe and effective gene-based therapy for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. Prostate 68: 241,254, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Loss of Nkx3.1 expression in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate model

THE PROSTATE, Issue 16 2007
Carlise R. Bethel
Abstract BACKGROUND The transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model has been extensively characterized at the histological and molecular levels, and has been shown to mimic significant features of human prostate cancer. However, the status of Nkx3.1 expression in the TRAMP model has not been elucidated. METHODS Immunohistochemical analyses were performed using dorsal, lateral, and ventral prostate (VP) lobes from ages 6 to 30 weeks. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses were performed to determine relative mRNA expression. RESULTS Heterogeneous loss of Nkx3.1 was observed in hyperplastic lesions of the ventral, dorsal, and lateral lobes. At 6 weeks of age, the ventral lobe displayed profound loss of Nkx3.1. Diminished Nkx3.1 protein was observed in well- to moderately-differentiated cancer lesions of all lobes. Poorly differentiated (PD) tumors stained negatively for Nkx3.1. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed the presence of Nkx3.1 mRNA in each lobe at all ages, albeit reduced to variable levels. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that disease progression in the TRAMP model may be driven by loss of function of Nkx3.1, in addition to p53 and Rb. Lobe-specific disease progression in the TRAMP model correlates with the reduction of Nkx3.1 protein. Regulation of Nkx3.1 expression during tumorigenesis appears to occur by post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. Prostate 67: 1740,1750, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin are required for prostate regeneration

THE PROSTATE, Issue 5 2007
Gui-min Wang
Abstract BACKGROUND The regulation of the prostate size by androgens may be partly the result of androgen effects on the prostatic vasculature. We examined the effect of changes in androgen levels on the expression of a variety of angiogenic factors in the mouse prostate and determined if vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and the angiopoietins are involved in the vascular response to androgens. METHODS Expression of angiogenic factors in prostate was quantitated using real-time PCR at different times after castration and after administration of testosterone to castrated mice. Angiopoietins were localized in prostate by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The roles of VEGF and the angiopoietins in regeneration of the prostate were examined in mice inoculated with cells expressing soluble VEGF receptor-2 or soluble Tie-2. RESULTS Castration resulted in a decrease in VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, placenta growth factor, FGF-2, and FGF-8 expression after 1 day. In contrast, VEGF-D mRNA levels increased. No changes in angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), hepatocyte growth factor, VEGF receptor-1, VEGF receptor-2, or tie-2 mRNA levels were observed. Administration of testosterone to castrated mice had the opposite effect on expression of these angiogenic factors. Ang-2 was expressed predominately in prostate epithelial cells whereas Ang-1 was expressed in epithelium and smooth muscle. Inoculation of mice with cells expressing soluble VEGF receptor-2 or Tie-2 blocked the increase in vascular density normally observed after administration of testosterone to castrated mice. The soluble receptors also blocked the increase in prostate weight and proliferation of prostatic epithelial cells. CONCLUSION VEGF-A and angiopoietins are required for the vascular response to androgens and for the ability of the prostate to regenerate in response to androgens. Prostate 67: 485,499, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Constitutive activation of PI3K-Akt and NF-,B during prostate cancer progression in autochthonous transgenic mouse model

THE PROSTATE, Issue 3 2005
Sanjeev Shukla
Abstract BACKGROUND Cancer progression is usually facilitated by independent growth signals that may lead to increased cell survival and evasion of apoptosis. Phosphatidylinositol 3,-OH kinase (PI3K)-Akt and transcription factor NF-,B are important signaling molecules and key survival factors involved in the control of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and oncogenesis. Although PI3K-Akt and NF-,B have been implicated in the development and progression of prostate cancer, expression of these molecules during progression of autochthonous disease has not been elucidated. METHODS Prostate cancer growth and progression in autochthonous transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice and male non-transgenic littermates were observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Expression patterns of PI3K-Akt, NF-,B, I,B, and associated signaling molecules during different stages of cancer progression in these mice were examined by Western blot analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), kinase assay, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Sequential MRI and gross analysis of prostate gland exhibited increasing prostate volume associated with the development and progression of prostatic adenocarcinoma in TRAMP mice, compared to male non-transgenic littermates. Differential protein expression of PI3K, phosphorylated-Akt (Ser473), I,B, and its phosphorylation, IKK kinase activity, NF-,B/p65, p50, DNA binding, and transcriptional-regulated genes, viz., Bcl2, cyclin D1, MMP-9, and VEGF were observed during prostate cancer progression in TRAMP mice, compared to male non-transgenic littermates. Expressions of these molecules were significantly increased during cancer progression observed at 24 and 32 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS Differential expression pattern of PI3K-Akt, NF-,B and I,B during prostate cancer progression in TRAMP mice suggest that these molecules represent potential molecular targets for prevention and/or therapeutic intervention. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Evidence for downregulation of calcium signaling proteins in advanced mouse adenocarcinoma

THE PROSTATE, Issue 2 2005
Viola C. Ruddat
Abstract BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is the leading cancer related death in America. Gleason grading is currently the predominant method for prediction, with only few biomarkers available. More biomarkers, especially as they relate to cancer progression are desirable. METHODS The abundance of several important proteins in prostate tissue was compared between wild-type mouse dorsal prostate and well-differentiated transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) mouse dorsal prostates, and between wild-type mouse dorsal prostate and poorly-differentiated TRAMP mouse tumor tissue. 2DIGE method in conjunction with MALDI-ToF and Western blots was used to determine differential expression. RESULTS In TRAMP dorsal prostates with well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, there were few significant changes in the protein abundances compared to wild-type dorsal prostates, with the exception of increases in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and beta tubulin, two proteins implicated in cell proliferation, and a more than 2-fold increase in Hsp60, a protein involved in the suppression of apoptosis. In the poorly-differentiated tumors, the changes in protein abundance were substantial. While some of those changes could be related to the disappearance of stromal tissue or the appearance of epithelial tissue, other changes in protein abundance were more significant to the cancer development itself. Most notable was the overall decrease in calcium homeostasis proteins with a 10-fold decrease in calreticulin and Hsp70 and a 40-fold decrease in creatine kinase bb in the cancerous tissue. CONCLUSIONS Proteomics of TRAMP mice provide an excellent method to observe changes in protein abundance, revealing changes in pathways during cancer progression. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]