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T-cell lymphomas in v-Myb transgenic mice
P A Badiani1, D Kioussis, D M Swirsky
1CRC Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
Oncogene
|November 21, 1996
Summary
The v-Myb oncoprotein, when expressed in T cells, alters T cell development and increases helper T cells. This oncogene also promotes T cell lymphomas in mice, indicating its oncogenic potential in T cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The v-Myb oncoprotein, derived from avian myeloblastosis virus, is known to cause myeloid leukemia.
- Aberrant c-myb proto-oncogene expression can lead to lymphomas in various species and may contribute to human cancers.
- The role of v-Myb deregulation in T cell development and oncogenesis remains to be fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of v-Myb oncoprotein expression on T cell development.
- To determine if v-Myb is oncogenic in T cells.
Main Methods:
- Generation of transgenic mice with T-cell-specific expression of the v-Myb oncoprotein.
- Analysis of T cell development, including cell ratios and thymic involution, in v-Myb transgenic mice.
- Monitoring of tumor development in older transgenic animals.
Main Results:
- Ectopic v-Myb expression in T cells skewed the helper to cytotoxic T cell ratio by increasing CD4+ helper cells.
- v-Myb expression inhibited thymic involution, leading to elevated thymocyte and mature T cell numbers.
- A significant incidence of high-grade T cell lymphomas was observed in older v-Myb transgenic mice.
Conclusions:
- v-Myb oncoprotein plays a critical role in T cell development and homeostasis.
- v-Myb is oncogenic in T cells, capable of inducing T cell lymphomas.
- These findings highlight the potential involvement of v-Myb in T cell malignancies.