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An Essential Role of Maspin in Embryogenesis and Tumor Suppression

Sijana H Dzinic1,2, M Margarida Bernardo1,2, Xiaohua Li1,2

  • 1Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.

Cancer Research
|December 8, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Maspin deficiency in mice caused various epithelial abnormalities and cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma and prostate hyperplasia. This study defines maspin's context-specific tumor suppressor roles in a new mouse model.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Maspin (SerpinB5) is an epithelial-specific tumor suppressor.
  • Previous maspin-deficient mouse models have not definitively established its cancer-suppressive functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To generate a viable maspin-deficient mouse model to study its context-dependent functions in cancer and other pathologies.
  • To investigate the role of maspin in epithelial development and disease.

Main Methods:

  • Generated a mouse strain with exon 4 deletion in the Maspin gene.
  • Developed a breeding scheme to bypass embryonic lethality.
  • Phenotypically characterized the viable maspin-deficient mice.

Main Results:

  • Maspin deficiency led to reduced body weight and context-dependent epithelial abnormalities.
  • Observed pulmonary adenocarcinoma, mammary gland myoepithelial hyperplasia, prostate hyperplasia, and epidermal atrophy.
  • Cancer phenotypes were associated with increased inflammatory stroma and alopecia areata.

Conclusions:

  • Maspin plays context-specific tumor suppressor roles in epithelial tissues.
  • The developed mouse model is clinically relevant for studying maspin functions in cancer and autoimmune disorders.

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