Takashi Nonoyama

Point Mutations of the c-H-ras Gene in Spontaneous Liver Tumors of Transgenic Mice Carrying the Human c-H-ras Gene

Spontaneous proliferative liver lesions were found in 15 (13 males and 2 females) of 244 (122 of each sex) transgenic (Tg) mice carrying the human prototype c-H-ras gene (rasH2). The liver lesions included 3 foci of cellular alteration, 1 hepatocellular adenoma, 5 hepatocellular carcinomas, and 4 hepatic hemangiosarcomas in the males and 1 focus of cellular alteration and 1 hepatocellular carcinoma in the females. The mutation patterns of the human and endogenous mouse c-H-ras codon 61 in these proliferative liver lesions were analyzed by DNA amplification using polymerase chain reaction, single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP), and oligonucleotide dot blot hybridization. The hepatocellular carcinomas in 4 males and 1 female contained a point mutation in the mouse c-H-ras gene: 3, 1, and 1 carcinomas had a CAA to AAA transversion at the first base of codon 61, a CAA to CTA transversion, and a CAA to CGA transition at the second base of codon 61, respectively. No point mutations in the human c-H-ras transgene were detected in any hepatocellular carcinoma. All 4 hepatic hemangiosarcomas had a CAG to CTG transversion at codon 61 of the human c-H-ras gene, but no point mutations were detected in codon 61 of the mouse c-H-ras gene. No mutations in human or mouse c-H-ras codon 61 were detected in altered cell foci or hepatocellular adenoma. These results indicate that spontaneous liver tumors in rasH2 Tg mice contain different mutation patterns depending on the histologic type or cell origin of the tumors (i.e., hepatocellular carcinomas or hepatic hemangiosarcomas). The absence of similar mutations in foci of cellular alteration and the hepatocellular adenoma suggests that the occurrence of codon 61 point mutations is a late event in the progression of hepatocellular neoplasia in rasH2 Tg mice.

Carcinogen dose-dependent variation in the transgene mutation spectrum in urethane-induced lung tumors in transgenic mice carrying the human prototype c-Ha-ras gene

Urethane-induced lung tumors and their genetic changes were investigated in transgenic (Tg) mice carrying a human prototype c-Ha-ras gene (rasH2 mice). Male and female rasH2 mice and non-transgenic (non-Tg) littermates were injected intraperitoneally with 1000 mg/kg of urethane once or three times at 2-day intervals. Hyperplasias and adenomas of the lung were observed in all animals of each group from week 10, and carcinomas were observed in male and female rasH2 mice of the triple injection group from week 10 and female non-Tg mice of the single injection group at 15/20 weeks. The multiplicities of lung proliferative lesions including hyperplasias, adenomas and carcinomas, in treated rasH2 mice were significantly higher than those in treated non-Tg mice. CAG to CTG transversions were observed in the c-Ha-ras gene in these lung proliferative lesions of rasH2 mice of the single injection group at high incidence (male: 58.3%, female: 62.5%), but no mutations of the mouse c-Ki-ras gene were evident in either rasH2 or non-Tg mice. In the triple injection group, transgene mutations were detected at a relatively low incidence, and mouse c-Ki-ras gene mutations(CAA to CGA) were observed in both rasH2 and non-Tg mice. These results suggest that the variation of the lesions induced by different doses of urethane was not the cause of the variation of the mutation spectrum and mutations of both transgene and mouse c-K-ras gene are not principal genetic events in urethane-induced lung proliferative lesions in rasH2 mice.

Spontaneous Proliferative Lesions in the Nasopharyngeal Meatus of F344 Rats

Spontaneous proliferative lesions in the nasopharyngeal meatus were identified as the cause of death in 12 of 1,600 male and 5 of 1,600 female Fischer 344 (F344) rats used in 2-yr carcinogenicity studies; none of the lesions were considered treatment related. All the rats showed dyspnea, abdominal distension, and clinical deterioration. Gross features were characterized by simultaneous occurrence of conspicuous gaseous distension of the intestinal tract, especially in the ileum and cecum, and focal nodular lesions in the nasopharyngeal meatus. Histopathologically, the nasopharyngeal meatus was partially obstructed by the following proliferative lesions: 3 areas of hyperplasia of the ectopic sebaceous glands in the soft and hard palate, 4 areas of squamous metaplasia (SM) with massive hyperkeratosis, 5 squamous cell papillomas (SCPs), and 5 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). No pathological changes were found in the distended portion of the intestinal tract. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of the proliferative lesions from the nasopharyngeal meatus were examined for the presence of mutations in the c-H-ras and c-K-ras genes. In vitro amplification of DNA using a polymerase chain reaction was combined with a nonisotopic method for selective oligonucleotide hybridization. Two of the 4 SM lesions, 3 of the 5 SCPs, and 5 of the 5 SCCs contained 1-3 point mutations in the c-H-ras and/or c-K-ras gene. Immunohistochem-ically, overexpression of p53 protein was found in 1 area of SM with a dysplastic lesion and 2 SCCs. These findings indicate that detailed examination of the upper respiratory system, including the nasopharyngeal meatus, may be particularly helpful for identifying primary occult lesions in F344 rats that show only gut distension at necropsy in long-term toxicity studies. In addition, mutations of the ras genes may be an important step in the early stages of carcinogenesis in the rat nasopharyngeal meatus, whereas p53 mutations could occur relatively late.

Spontaneous erythroleukemia in a 16-Wk-old female Slc:SD rat

I Drug Safety Research Laboratories, Hikari Branch, Takeda Ctiemical Industries, Ltd., 4720 Mitsui, Hikari-shi, Yatiiagtcfii, Japan =Laboratory Anittral Center, Kirruanroto University Medical School, 2-2-1 Honjo. Kirtiiattioto-shi, Kitmariioto, Japan 3Instittite for Experittietital Animals, The University of Tsukuba, Tennodai, Sakura-tnura, Niifiari-gin, Ibaraki, Japan 4Drtig Safety Research Laboratories, Takeda Ctreniical Itidiutries, Ltd., 6101 Hittruro-rho, Takatsuki-ski, Osaka, Japan

Secondary Polycythemia in Male B6C3F1 Mice with Spontaneously Occurring Hepatocellular Carcinomas

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cause of polycythemia occurring in control male B6C3F, mice with hepatocellular carcinomas from 2-yr carcinogenicity studies. Erythrocyte counts and plasma erythropoietin levels in these mice were significantly increased compared to those in nontumor-bearing mice. Hepatocellular carcinomas in the mice were well differentiated, and the neoplastic hepatocytes contained either or both of 2 types of intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies; one was relatively large and weakly eosinophilic (pale inclusion body), while the other was relatively small and strongly eosinophilic (globular inclusion body). The pale eosinophilic inclusions but not the globular ones were immunohistochemically positive for erythropoietin. Ultrastructurally, the erythropoietin-positive inclusions were characterized by granular materials in dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting increased protein synthesis. Erythropoietin-negative inclusions were dense bodies that were not surrounded by a delimiting membrane. These findings indicate that polycythemia in hepatocellular carcinoma-bearing mice occurs secondary to excess synthesis and secretion of erythropoietin by neoplastic hepatocytes.

Spontaneous Follicular Center Cell Lymphomas of B Cell Origin in Cataract Mice

Spontaneous lymphomas from a strain of hereditary cataract (CAC‐nct/+) mice were examined by light and electron microscopy and by immunohistochemical reaction for the mouse heavy and light immunoglobulin chains. Lymphomas occurred in 28 out of 45 male cataract mice and in 34 out of 52 females at 25 to 65 weeks of age. All of the lymphoma‐bearing mice showed an enlargement of the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes, and some mice also had hepatomegaly. Morphologically, all tumors were composed of a mixed population of small and large cells. Neoplastic cells had features of follicular center cell lymphomas, such as scant to moderate amounts of cytoplasm and cleaved and/or round nuclei with a large nuclear‐to‐cytoplasmic ratio. Large cells were often admixed with small cells, and had vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli juxtaposed to the nuclear membrane. Intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions were observed in occasional cells, but Golgi apparatus was poorly developed and rough‐surfaced endoplasmic reticulum was scant, unlike those in plasma cells. C‐particles were seen in all lymphoma‐bearing mice by electron microscopy. Intracisternal A‐particles were detected in some mice. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic lymphoid cells were positive for the kappa light chain and the surface/cytoplasmic immunoglobulin M. These results indicate that lymphoid cell neoplasms found in hereditary cataract mice originate from follicular center B cells.