Examination of the involvement of the Stat6-regulated genes, Gfi-1 and Gfi-1b, in the development of a lymphoproliferative disease in mice

Abstract

Mouse models (that develop or can be stimulated to develop lymphomas) are used to examine cancer-related processes. Mouse models can be effective tools used to identify new, early, and pre-malignant markers of lymphomas. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) 6 is a transcription factor activated through the Jak-Stat pathway. Transgenic mice expressing a constantly activated Stat6 (Stat6VT) were previously generated and characterized to have altered lymphocyte homeostasis. Some of these Stat6VT mice developed a lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD). LPD, including lymphomas, develops when lymphocytes are overproduced or act abnormally. These Stat6VT mice may serve as a model for examining lymphoma development. In order to characterize the altered lymphocytes and determine if LPD observed in the Stat6VT mice is characteristic of lymphoma, RT-PCR analysis and Western analysis were done to examine if the presence of Stat6VT alters the expression of the cell cycle genes Gfi-1 and Gfi-1b and if these genes differ in LPD Stat6VT verses control mice.