Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Comparing Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Model Established in Mouse Kidney and on Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane
05:36

Comparing Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Model Established in Mouse Kidney and on Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane

Published on: February 8, 2020

9.6K

MYC activation cooperates with Vhl and Ink4a/Arf loss to induce clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Sean T Bailey1,2, Aleisha M Smith1,2, Jordan Kardos1,2

  • 1Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.

Nature Communications
|June 9, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Researchers developed two mouse models for kidney cancer, mimicking human papillary and clear cell renal carcinoma (RCC). These models, driven by MYC activation and Vhl/Cdkn2a deletion, offer valuable tools for advancing renal carcinoma research.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Animal Models

Background:

  • Renal carcinoma (kidney cancer) is a prevalent and aggressive malignancy.
  • Its origins and resistance to chemotherapy are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and characterize novel mouse models for renal carcinoma.
  • To mimic the genomic alterations observed in human papillary (pRCC) and clear cell (ccRCC) subtypes.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of mouse models with specific genetic alterations (MYC activation, Vhl and Cdkn2a deletion).
  • Histological analysis and RNA sequencing (RNAseq) of induced kidney tumors.
  • Comparison of mouse tumor characteristics with human RCC subtypes.

Main Results:

  • MYC activation in mice led to highly penetrant papillary renal carcinoma (pRCC) resembling Type 2 pRCC.
  • Combined MYC activation with Vhl and Cdkn2a deletion (VIM model) produced kidney tumors closely simulating human clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC).
  • Both models exhibit high penetrance, short latency, and histologic fidelity.

Conclusions:

  • The developed mouse models accurately recapitulate key genomic alterations and histological features of human pRCC and ccRCC.
  • These models represent significant contributions to kidney cancer research, facilitating further studies into pathogenesis and treatment.

More Related Videos

Induction of Invasive Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma in Immune Intact Human MUC1 Transgenic Mice: A Model for Immunotherapy Development11:02

Induction of Invasive Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma in Immune Intact Human MUC1 Transgenic Mice: A Model for Immunotherapy Development

Published on: October 30, 2013

21.8K
Mosaic Zebrafish Transgenesis for Functional Genomic Analysis of Candidate Cooperative Genes in Tumor Pathogenesis09:45

Mosaic Zebrafish Transgenesis for Functional Genomic Analysis of Candidate Cooperative Genes in Tumor Pathogenesis

Published on: March 31, 2015

11.8K

Related Concept Videos

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
5.7K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.3K
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
4.8K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.9K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
6.1K
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
7.1K