Selective induction of melanomas in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) following postnatal administration of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea.

Following a single ip injection (50 mg/kg) of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) on postnatal day 7 or 20, 9 of 21 gerbils (43%) developed a total of 15 cutaneous melanomas. The mean survival time of tumor-bearing animals was 909 +/- 212 (SD) days. Neoplasms were preferentially located at sites with little hair and with high content of pigment cells (feet, ears, tail, or snout). Histologic studies on newborn gerbils indicated that ENU-induced malignant transformation occurred in differentiated melanocytes rather than in precursor cells of the neural crest.

Selective induction by N-nitrosoethylurea of oligodendrogliomas in fetal forebrain transplants.

Induction of neuroepithelial neoplasms by a single transplacental exposure to N-nitrosoethylurea (NEU) has been widely used as an experimental model for human brain tumors. NEU-induced gliomas are variably composed of neoplastic oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and ependymal cells. It has remained controversial whether these neoplasms originate from differentiated glia or from pluripotent precursor cells of the subependymal matrix layer. We have taken a novel approach to define the histogenesis of these gliomas based on neural grafting techniques and the extraordinary difference in susceptibility between the fetal and adult brain to neoplastic transformation by alkylnitrosoureas. Pregnant rats received a single i.v. dose of NEU (50 mg/kg) on the 14th day of gestation. One day later, suspensions were prepared from the fetal forebrain and stereotactically injected into the caudoputamen of adult rats. These host animals received additional i.v. injections of NEU (50 mg/kg each) 8 days and 9 weeks posttransplantation. After a mean survival time of 316 days, all animals developed brain tumors within the neural graft. Histopathologically, these neoplasms were classified as oligodendrogliomas, ranging from early neoplastic foci to large, infiltrating malignant tumors. The selective induction of oligodendrogliomas indicates that neoplastic transformation in the nervous system can occur in a differentiated glial cell or in a precursor cell committed to oligodendrocytic differentiation, and that transformation of a pluripotential stem cell is not necessary. Omission of the first (prenatal) dose of NEU led to a much lower tumor incidence, whereas this dose in itself, i.e., without additional postgrafting exposure, did not produce brain tumors in any of the experimental animals. This differential effect of pre- and postgrafting exposure to NEU constitutes the first in vivo evidence of a multistep development of brain tumors.

DNA alkylation in mice with genetically different susceptibility to 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis.

The formation and persistence of methylated purines was determined in mice that received a single s.c. injection of 1,2-[14C]dimethylhydrazine (15 mg/kg) and were allowed to survive for 12 or 60 hr. In mice with a low susceptibility to dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis (C57BL/Ha), concentrations of 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine in DNA of colon, ileum, and kidney were 40 to 60% less than in mice with a high incidence of colonic tumors (ICR/Ha). In hepatic DNA the extent of methylation was higher in C57BL/Ha than in ICR/Ha mice. The rate of loss of methylated purines from colon DNA was similar in both strains. In all organs investigated the metabolic incorporation of 14C into normal DNA bases was lower in C57BL/Ha than in ICR/Ha mice. It is concluded that the low carcinogenic response of C57BL/Ha mice is due to the smaller extent of initial alkylation of colon DNA, which probably reflects differences in the enzymic metabolism of the parent carcinogen.

Dimethylnitrosamine-induced inhibition of hepatic protein synthesis in vitro and the effect of pretreatment with cystamine or pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile.

Hepatic protein synthesis was investigated using a postmitochondrial supernatant system derived from the livers of rats that were given injections of a single dose of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), 30 mg/kg. The time course and extent of DMN-induced inhibition in vitro were identical to those reported for the incorporation of amino acids into liver proteins in vivo, maximum inhibition being about 70% at 5 hr. Addition of specific inhibitors of chain initiation (polyinosinic acid and aurin tricarboxylic acid) to the postmitochrondrial supernatant system from DMN-treated rats caused only a slight additional inhibition, indicating that DMN predominantly affects translation by a block of initiation. Treatment with cystamine prior to DMN administration completely abolished the depression of protein synthesis and reduced by more than 90% the methylation by [14C]DMN of purine bases in liver DNA. Pretreatment with pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile stimulated protein synthesis in controls but had no preventive effect in DMN-treated rats and did not reduce the extent of DNA alkylation in vivo.

Mechanism of esophageal tumor induction in rats by N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine and its ring-methylated analog N-nitrosomethyl(4-methylbenzyl)amine.

The metabolism of the esophageal carcinogen N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (MBN) and its ring-methylated analog N-nitrosomethyl(4-methylbenzyl)amine (4-MeMBN) was investigated in male Wistar rats. When given in the drinking water, both compounds have been shown to induce a high incidence of esophageal carcinomas but, after systemic administration of equimolar doses, 4-MeMBN is considerably less toxic and carcinogenic than is MBN. Following a single i.v. injection, 4-MeMBN disappeared from serum faster than did MBN. After 5 hr, neither compound was detectable in serum. Within 12 hr after a single i.v. injection (0.017 mmol/kg) of [methyl-14C]-MBN, 49% of the radioactivity was exhaled as 14CO2, and less than 5% was in the urine, compared with only 13% as 14CO2 and 65% in the urine after an equimolar dose of 4-Me[methyl-14C]MBN. The urinary metabolite of 4-MeMBN was identified as its benzoic acid derivative. Methylation of DNA purines 4 hr after a single i.v. injection (0.017 mmol/kg) of [methyl-14C]MBN was highest in the esophagus (344 mumol 7-methylguanine per mol guanine), followed by liver, lung, and forestomach. Considerably less DNA methylation was produced by an equimolar dose of 4-MeMBN, with highest values in liver, followed by esophagus (22 mumol 7-methylguanine per mol guanine) and lung. However, s.c. injections of equitoxic doses of MBN (18 mg/kg) and 4-MeMBN (394 mg/kg) produced similar amounts of 7-methylguanine in esophageal nucleic acids. These data indicate that the lower toxicity and carcinogenicity of 4-MeMBN after systemic administration are due to the rapid formation (mainly in the liver) and excretion via the urine of its benzoic acid derivative. The strong carcinogenic effect of orally administered 4-MeMBN can be explained by direct uptake from the drinking water into the esophageal mucosa. Following a single i.v. injection (0.017 mmol/kg) of [methylene-14C]MBN and 4-Me[methylene-14C]MBN, no benzylated bases were detectable in rat tissues. This indicates that the bioactivation of these compounds is initiated predominantly by hydroxylation at the methylene bridge leading to a methylating rather than a benzylating intermediate as the ultimate carcinogen.

Interaction of the carcinogen 3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyltriazene with nucleic acids of various rat tissues and the effect of a protein-free diet.

The methylation by 3,3-[14C]dimethyl-1-phenyltriazene of nucleic acids in various rat tissues was investigated. Following a single s.c. injection of 3,3-[14C]dimethyl-1-phenyltriazene (50 mg/kg), approximately 40% of the radioactivity was subsequently exhaled as 14CO2. Expiration of 14CO2, metabolic 14C labeling of liver proteins, and formation of 7-[14C]methylguanine, the major reaction product with nucleic acid bases, were completed within about 15 hr. Minor alkylation products detectable in DNA were O6-methylguanine and 3-methyladenine. In cytoplasmic RNA, 1-methyladenosine, 3-methylcytidine, and O6-methylguanosine were present in addition to 7-methylguanosine. Concentrations of 7-methylguanine were highest in nucleic acids of kidney and liver. Among the other organs investigated (brain, lung, spleen, small intestine), 7-methylguanine levels showed little variation but were 4 to 7 times lower than those in liver and kidney. Feeding of a protein-free diet prior to 3,3-[14C]dimethyl-1-phenyltriazene administration reduced the formation of 7-methylguanine in liver and kidney RNA, whereas in the remaining organs the extent of methylation was markedly increased. The results are discussed with respect to the significance of methylation at specific sites in nucleic acids for the initiation of malignant transformation and the possible role of 3-methyl-1-phenyltriazene as the systemically distributed proximate carcinogen of 3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyltriazene.

Gene expression profiling of low-grade diffuse astrocytomas by cDNA arrays.

Diffuse astrocytoma WHO grade II is a well-differentiated, slowly growing tumor that has an inherent tendency to progress to anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) and, eventually, to glioblastoma (WHO grade IV). Little is known about its molecular basis, except for p53 mutations that are found in >60% of cases. In a search for additional genetic alterations, we carried out gene expression profiling of 11 diffuse astrocytomas using cDNA expression arrays. Expression of six genes (TIMP3, c-myc, EGFR, DR-nm23, nm23-H4, and GDNPF) was detected in 64-100% of diffuse astrocytomas, but not in nontumorous brain tissue. Seven genes (AAD14, SPARC, LRP, PDGFR-alpha, 60S ribosomal protein L5, PTN, and hBAP) were found to be up-regulated more than 2-fold in 20-60% of cases, whereas 11 genes (IFI 9-27, protein kinase CLK, TDGF1, BIN1, GAB1, TYRO3, LDH-A, adducin 3, GUK1, CDC10, and KRT8) were down-regulated to less than 50% of normal levels in 64-100% of cases. Semiquantitative conventional reverse transcription-PCR was performed for 11 genes, 9 of which showed an expression profile similar to that obtained with cDNA expression arrays. Immunohistochemical staining for SPARC showed cytoplasmic immunoreactivity of neoplastic cells in all diffuse astrocytomas analyzed. These results indicate significant changes in gene expression in diffuse astrocytomas, but it remains to be shown which of these are causally related to the transformation of glial cells.

Expression of Fas/APO-1 during the progression of astrocytomas.

Fas/APO-1 (CD95) is an apoptosis-signaling receptor molecule on the surface of cells. To investigate the possible role of Fas during malignant transformation of glial cells, we analyzed the expression of Fas mRNA by reverse transcription-PCR in human astrocytic brain tumors. Expression was found in 1 of 4 (25%) juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO grade I), 1 of 9 (11%) low-grade astrocytomas (WHO grade II), 6 of 12 (50%) anaplastic astrocytomas (WHO grade III), and all of 9 glioblastomas (WHO grade IV). Thus, the frequency of Fas expression appears to correlate with the malignancy grade of astrocytomas. The soluble form of the Fas mRNA lacking the transmembrane domain was detected in one anaplastic astrocytoma and in two glioblastomas.

Organ and cell specificity of DNA methylation by N-nitrosomethylamylamine in rats.

N-Nitrosomethylamylamine (NMAA) is a potent carcinogen in rodents with the esophagus as the principal target organ. The present study aims at an assessment of DNA methylation by NMAA in various rat tissues and an identification of cell populations actively involved in its bioactivation. Adult male F344 rats received a single i.p. dose of N-nitroso[methyl-14C]amylamine (0.1 mmol/kg). After 6 h organs were removed and the DNA was extracted, hydrolyzed in 0.1 M HCl, and subjected to radiochromatography on Sephasorb-HP. Highest levels of DNA alkylation were found in esophagus (798 mumol 7-methylguanine/mol mol guanine), followed by nasal epithelium (672 mumol) and liver (624 mumol). Trachea, lung, forestomach, and kidney had considerably lower levels of alkylation and in glandular stomach, spleen, and duodenum, values were close to the limit of detection. Specific target cell populations were identified autoradiographically and by immunohistochemistry using a rabbit antiserum to O6-methyldeoxyguanosine. In the esophagus, NMAA was selectively metabolized by the basal cells of the mucosa. In the respiratory tract, O6-methyldeoxyguanosine was almost exclusively present in the tracheal and bronchiolar epithelia. In the nasal cavity, labeled nuclei were found in both the olfactory and the respiratory epithelium and in the serous glands. Our studies indicate that NMAA and related asymmetrical nitrosamines are, in addition to liver, preferentially metabolized in tissues derived from the ventral entoderm, including the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.

Differential proliferative response of gastric mucosa during carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in susceptible ACI rats, resistant Buffalo rats, and their hybrid F1 cross.

The effect of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) on the proliferative characteristics of the pyloric epithelium was investigated in ACI and Buffalo rats and their F1 rats, which are susceptible, resistant, and resistant, respectively, to gastric carcinogenesis by this chemical. After injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd), DNA synthesizing cells in the pyloric epithelium were stained immunohistochemically with anti-BrdUrd antibody. The average number and range of distribution of cells labeled with BrdUrd in the pyloric glands were significantly larger in ACI rats than in Buffalo or F1 rats after administration of MNNG (83 micrograms/ml in the drinking water) for 2 or 16 weeks. In control rats given tap water for 2 weeks, there was no significant difference in these values in the three groups (Experiment 1). The distribution of cells that were labeled with [methyl-3H]MNNG in the pyloric epithelium was measured by histoautoradiography, and the distribution of cells double labeled with both [methyl-3H]MNNG and BrdUrd was also analyzed. Rats were given 83 micrograms/ml of MNNG in their drinking water for 2 weeks and then received [methyl-3H]MNNG by gavage and an injection of BrdUrd 2 and 1 h, respectively, before sacrifice. The average number of double labeled cells (i.e., replicating cells exposed to MNNG) was significantly larger in ACI rats than in Buffalo or F1 rats. In control rats given tap water without MNNG for 2 weeks, there was no significant difference in these values in the three groups (Experiment 2). Cells double labeled with [methyl-3H]MNNG and BrdUrd are considered to be cells with the potential to establish mutations (cell population at risk of MNNG-induced carcinogenesis). Our results show that, after MNNG treatment, the size of this cell population is larger in susceptible ACI rats than in resistant Buffalo and F1 rats. Thus, differential responses of the gastric mucosa to MNNG may be a key factor in the difference of susceptibility to gastric carcinogenesis between ACI and Buffalo rats.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-induced methylation of DNA bases in various rat organs and the effect of pretreatment with disulfiram.

The extent and persistence of methylated purines were determined in DNA of various rat organs following a single s.c. injection of 1,2-di[14C]methylhydrazine. Maximum alkylation of purine bases occurred within 12 hr, with highest concentrations in liver, followed by colon, ileum, and kidney. Over a period of 3 days, O6-methylguanine was removed much more slowly from colon, the principal target organ for carcinogenesis, than from ileum or liver DNA. Dietary pretreatment of rats with disulfiram is known to prevent 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis and was found to reduce DNA alkylation to less than 1% of that detected in animals treated with 1,2- di[14C]methylhydrazine alone.

p53 mutations in nonastrocytic human brain tumors.

Genomic DNA from 51 primary human brain tumors was screened for the presence of mutations in the tumor suppressor gene, p53, using the polymerase chain reaction and single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, followed by direct DNA sequencing. Mutations leading to an amino acid change were found in 2 of 17 (12%) oligodendrogliomas and 2 of 19 (11%) medulloblastomas but none of 15 ependymomas. Sites of mutations were in exon 5 (codon 141), exon 6 (codon 193 and 213), and exon 7 (codon 246). In addition, there were silent mutations in exon 6 (codon 213) in one oligodendroglioma and in one ependymoma. This study points to the possible role of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in some central nervous system neoplasms of divergent histogenesis.

Methylation versus ethylation of DNA in target and nontarget tissues of Fischer 344 rats treated with N-nitrosomethylethylamine.

Bioactivation of N-nitrosomethylethylamine can be initiated by hydroxylation of either the methyl or ethyl moiety leading to an ethylating or methylating intermediate, respectively. This study was designed to determine which of these metabolic pathways predominates in vivo and to what extent DNA is alkylated in the target and nontarget tissues. Adult male Fischer 344 rats received a single i.p. or p.o. dose (4.4 mg/kg, 0.05 mmol/kg) of N-nitrosomethylethylamine, 14C-labeled in either the methyl or ethyl group (survival time, 4 h). DNA was analyzed by Sephasorb-HP chromatography following acid hydrolysis in 0.1 M HCl. Concentrations of 7-methylguanine in hepatic DNA were 170-200 times higher than those of 7-ethylguanine. This is approximately 2.6 times the 7-methylguanine:7-ethylguanine ratio of 68, observed when DNA is reacted in vitro with equimolar amounts of the direct alkylating agents N-nitrosomethylurea and N-nitrosoethylurea, suggesting that hydroxylation at the alpha-position of the ethyl group of N-nitrosomethylethylamine proceeds at about 2.6 times the rate as at the methyl group. Concentrations of 7-methylguanine in liver were approximately 15 times higher than in kidney, 100 times higher than in esophagus, and 200 times higher than in lung. Addition of ethanol to the drinking water (5%) caused a slight interorgan shift in metabolism with a decrease in the 7-methylguanine ratio for liver:esophagus by 50% and an increase in the 7-methylguanine ratio for liver:kidney by 40%.

Selective mutation of codons 204 and 213 of the p53 gene in rat tumors induced by alkylating N-nitroso compounds.

Kidney and esophageal tumors induced by alkylating N-nitroso compounds in rats contain a high incidence (75-100%) of G----A transition mutations in the p53 gene. These are almost selectively (89%) located in the first base of codon 204 and the second base of 213, leading to amino acid substitutions Glu----Lys and Arg----Gln, respectively. In contrast to human neoplasms, a considerable fraction of rat kidney and esophageal tumors carries multiple p53 mutations. All nephroblastomas induced by transplacental exposure to N-nitrosoethylurea and 56% of esophageal tumors induced by N-nitrosomethylurea showed double mutations in codons 204 and 213 of exon 6. The selective targeting of p53 codons by alkylating nitrosamines may provide a basis for molecular epidemiological studies on this class of chemical carcinogens.

Oncogene complementation in fetal brain transplants.

Using a neural transplantation model and retrovirus-mediated gene transfer, we have introduced the oncogenes v-Ha-ras and v-myc into the developing rat brain. Upon insertion of a construct encoding v-Ha-ras and the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase marker gene, the retroviral vector was found to be expressed in neurons, astrocytes, and endothelial cells of the graft. After latency periods of several months, fascicular neoplasms with expression of S-100 protein were observed in 50% of the transplants. The foreign genes were shown to be highly expressed in the tumors and in intact donor cells, by 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside histochemistry, indicating that an activated Ha-ras oncogene has the potential to initiate neoplastic transformation of glial cells. Introduction of the v-myc oncogene into 15 grafts resulted in only a single primitive neuroectodermal tumor. However, simultaneous expression of the v-Ha-ras and v-myc genes yielded highly malignant, polyclonal neoplasms in all recipient animals, as early as 13 days after transplantation, from which cell lines could be easily derived. In addition, neoplastic transformation was also observed in vitro following introduction of ras and myc into embryonic forebrain cultures and into newborn cerebellar cultures. These data indicate a powerful complementary transforming effect of ras and myc on neural progenitors in vivo and in vitro. Coexpression of ras and myc may, therefore, provide a highly efficient tool for transforming neural precursor cells in distinct segments of the central nervous system at different stages of development.

p53 mutations are associated with 17p allelic loss in grade II and grade III astrocytoma.

Loss of genetic material on the short arm of chromosome 17 is observed in approximately 40% of human astrocytomas (WHO grades II and III) and in approximately 30% of cases of glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV). Previous studies of glioblastoma multiforme have shown that the p53 gene, located on the short arm of chromosome 17, is frequently mutated in these glioblastomas. To explore whether lower-grade astrocytomas are also associated with corresponding mutations of the p53 gene, we have investigated a series of 22 human astrocytomas of WHO grades II and III both for loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 17p and for p53 mutations. Mutations in the conserved regions of the p53 gene were identified by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis of exons 5, 6, 7, and 8 and were verified by direct DNA sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products. p53 mutations were observed in 3 of 8 grade II astrocytomas and 4 of 14 grade II astrocytomas. In all 22 tumors, allelic loss of the short arm of chromosome 17 was investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. One-half of the grade II astrocytomas (4 of 8) and grade III astrocytomas (7 of 14) exhibited allelic loss on chromosome 17p. Mutations in the p53 gene were exclusively observed in tumors with allelic loss on 17p. Our results show that p53 mutations are not restricted to glioblastoma multiforme and may be important in the tumorigenesis of lower-grade astrocytomas and that p53 mutations in lower-grade astrocytomas are associated with loss of chromosome 17p. These findings are consistent with a recessive mechanism of action of p53 in WHO grade II and III astrocytoma tumorigenesis.

Loss of DCC expression and glioma progression.

The deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) gene, a candidate tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 18q21, encodes a neural cell adhesion molecule family protein that is most highly expressed in the nervous system. To address the hypothesis that DCC may play a role in glioma development and/or progression, we examined DCC expression by immunohistochemistry in 57 resected human astrocytic tumors. Overall, low-grade astrocytomas were predominantly DCC positive (15 of 16, or 94%), whereas high-grade tumors significantly less often expressed the DCC protein (27 of 41, or 66%; P = 0.03). We were able to directly assess the relationship between DCC expression and tumor progression in 15 patients who initially presented with a low-grade astrocytoma and subsequently recurred with a glioblastoma. Within this panel of paired lesions from the same patient, 14 of 15 (93%) low-grade tumors expressed the DCC protein, whereas only 7 of 15 (47%) corresponding glioblastomas were DCC positive. We also observed that secondary glioblastomas resulting from malignant progression of low-grade astrocytomas were more often DCC negative (8 of 15, or 53%) compared with primary or de novo glioblastomas (6 of 26, or 23%; P = 0.05). These findings implicate DCC inactivation in glioma progression and also demonstrate that DCC expression is preferentially, but not exclusively, lost in the genetic pathway to secondary glioblastoma multiforme.

Soluble decoy receptor 3 is expressed by malignant gliomas and suppresses CD95 ligand-induced apoptosis and chemotaxis.

Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) is a newly identified soluble protein that binds to CD95 ligand (CD95L) and inhibits its proapoptotic activity. Here we report that DcR3 is expressed by the majority of long-term and ex vivo malignant glioma cell lines as well as in human glioblastoma in vivo. Expression of DcR3 correlates with the grade of malignancy: 15 of 18 (83%) glioblastomas (WHO grade IV) but none of 11 diffuse astrocytomas (WHO grade II) exhibited DcR3 immunoreactivity. We also demonstrate that human malignant glioma cells engineered to release high amounts of DcR3 into the cell culture supernatant are protected from CD95L-induced apoptotic cell death. In contrast, DcR3 does not confer protection from the death ligand Apo2 ligand (TRAIL). Importantly, ectopic expression of DcR3 resulted in substantial differences in immune cell infiltration in the 9L rat gliosarcoma model. Thus, the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as microglia/macrophages into glioma was substantially decreased in DcR3-producing tumors compared with control tumors. Chemotaxis assays revealed that DcR3 counteracts the chemotactic activity of CD95L against microglial cells in vitro. These findings suggest that DcR3 may be involved in the progression and immune evasion of malignant gliomas.

Cell type-specific tumor induction in neural transplants by retrovirus-mediated oncogene transfer.

Using a neural transplantation model which mimics structural and functional properties of the normal rat brain to a high extent, we have taken a novel approach to study the transforming potential of activated oncogenes in the developing brain. Single cell suspensions prepared from fetal rat brains were infected with replication-defective retroviral vectors encoding oncogenes and stereotaxically injected into the caudoputamen of adult F344 rats. Rats carrying transplants expressing the polyoma middle T antigen developed endothelial hemangiomas in the graft which in 70% of the recipient animals led to fatal cerebral hemorrhage within 13-50 days after transplantation. Expression of the v-src gene caused astrocytic and mesenchymal tumors with a 70% incidence after latency periods of 2-6 months, but no endothelial lesions. It was found by in situ hybridization that these oncogenes are expressed in all cell types present in the graft. This indicates that cell-type specific transformation is due to differential susceptibility of the respective target cell to the oncogenes, rather than selective integration or expression of the retroviral construct. The highly efficient gene transfer by retroviral vectors into fetal brain transplants provides a challenging experimental strategy to study differentiation and oncogenesis in the CNS.

Angiogenic activity of the K-fgf/hst oncogene in neural transplants.

Using retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into neural transplants, we have expressed the human K-fgf/hst oncogene in the central nervous system. Single-cell suspensions of fetal rat brains were removed at embryonic days 13 and 14, exposed to a retroviral vector encoding the K-fgf oncogene and stereotaxically implanted into the caudate putamen of syngenic adult Fisher rats. Recipient animals were sacrificed at intervals of 6-16 months without evidence of neurological impairment. Mock-infected grafts showed the characteristic histopathological appearance of organotypically differentiated neural transplants. In contrast, grafts exposed to the K-fgf gene exhibited abundant capillary proliferation and capillary angiomas. By in situ hybridization analysis and immunohistochemistry, expression of K-fgf was detected in neural cells adjacent to vascular proliferations. Neurons and glia with abundant K-fgf transcripts were morphologically unaffected. In order to examine the transforming potential of the K-fgf gene in the nervous system, we combined retrovirus-mediated transfer of the K-fgf oncogene with a single transplacental exposure of the donor animals to the neurotropic carcinogen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (NEU). However, this combination of transforming agents did not result in tumor formation in the grafts. These results provide evidence for a powerful angiogenic effect of K-fgf on the developing brain in vivo.