Inducible Loss of One Apc Allele in Lrig1-Expressing Progenitor Cells Results in Multiple Distal Colonic Tumors with Features of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
AJP Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
Published online on May 15, 2014
Abstract
Individuals with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) harbor a germline mutation in APC. The major clinical manifestation is development of multiple colonic tumors at a young age due to stochastic loss of the remaining APC allele. Extra-colonic features may occur, including periampullary tumors, gastric abnormalities, and congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE). The objective of this study was to develop a mouse model that simulates these features of FAP. To accomplish this, we combined our Lrig1-CreERT2/+ mice with Apcfl/+ mice, eliminated one copy of Apc in Lrig1+ progenitor cells with tamoxifen injection and monitored tumor formation in the colon by colonoscopy and positron emission tomography (PET). Initial loss of one Apc allele in Lrig1+ cells results in a predictable pattern of preneoplastic changes, culminating in multiple distal colonic tumors within 50 days of induction, as well as the extra-colonic manifestations of FAP mentioned above. We show that tumor formation can be monitored by noninvasive PET imaging. This inducible stem cell-driven model recapitulates features of FAP and offers a tractable platform to monitor therapeutic interventions over time by colonoscopy and non-invasive imaging.