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Syngeneic tobacco carcinogen–induced mouse lung adenocarcinoma model exhibits PD-L1 expression and high tumor mutational burden
Laura P. Stabile, Vinod Kumar, Autumn Gaither-Davis, Eric H. Huang, Frank P. Vendetti, Princey Devadassan, Sanja Dacic, Riyue Bao, Richard A. Steinman, Timothy F. Burns, Christopher J. Bakkenist
Laura P. Stabile, Vinod Kumar, Autumn Gaither-Davis, Eric H. Huang, Frank P. Vendetti, Princey Devadassan, Sanja Dacic, Riyue Bao, Richard A. Steinman, Timothy F. Burns, Christopher J. Bakkenist
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Resource and Technical Advance Oncology

Syngeneic tobacco carcinogen–induced mouse lung adenocarcinoma model exhibits PD-L1 expression and high tumor mutational burden

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Abstract

Human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) in current or former smokers exhibits a high tumor mutational burden (TMB) and distinct mutational signatures. Syngeneic mouse models of clinically relevant smoking-related LUAD are lacking. We established and characterized a tobacco-associated, transplantable murine LUAD cell line, designated FVBW-17, from a LUAD induced by the tobacco carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosoamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in the FVB/N mouse strain. Whole-exome sequencing of FVBW-17 cells identified tobacco-associated KrasG12D and Trp53 mutations and a similar mutation profile to that of classic alkylating agents with a TMB greater than 500. FVBW-17 cells transplanted subcutaneously, via tail vein, and orthotopically generated tumors that were histologically similar to human LUAD in FVB/N mice. FVBW-17 tumors expressed programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), were infiltrated with CD8+ T cells, and were responsive to anti–PD-L1 therapy. FVBW-17 cells were also engineered to express green fluorescent protein and luciferase to facilitate detection and quantification of tumor growth. Distant metastases to lung, spleen, liver, and kidney were observed from subcutaneously transplanted tumors. This potentially novel cell line is a robust representation of human smoking-related LUAD biology and provides a much needed preclinical model in which to test promising new agents and combinations, including immune-based therapies.

Authors

Laura P. Stabile, Vinod Kumar, Autumn Gaither-Davis, Eric H. Huang, Frank P. Vendetti, Princey Devadassan, Sanja Dacic, Riyue Bao, Richard A. Steinman, Timothy F. Burns, Christopher J. Bakkenist

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Figure 5

Bioluminescence imaging facilitates detection of subcutaneous tumor growth and metastasis.

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Bioluminescence imaging facilitates detection of subcutaneous tumor grow...
(A) FVBW-17 cells transduced with lentivirus for GFP-Luc showed high transduction efficiency by comparison with phase-contrast (left) and fluorescence microscopy (right). Scale bar: 100 μm. (B) Luciferase assay of GFP-Luc cells and control cells with varying cell number and quantification of luciferase assay (radiance). (C) Subcutaneous injection of FVBW-17 GFP-Luc cells (2.5 × 105) and tumor growth over 4 weeks monitored in vivo by IVIS imaging. (D) Ex vivo bioluminescence imaging of various organs was used to identify metastatic spread in lung, spleen, kidney, and liver. (E) Sites of metastases found on IVIS imaging from subcutaneous FVBW-17 tumors confirmed by H&E histology (original magnification, 4×, top panel; 20×, bottom panel). Scale bar: 100 μm. (F) Imaging of orthotopically injected cells.

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