Consistent with the multiple objectives of PA-08-208, """"""""Pilot Studies in Pancreatic Cancer"""""""", we are proposing to develop a novel experimental model of human pancreatic cancer that will facilitate the identification of novel genetic and epigenetic aberrations underlying PanIN formation. The central hypothesis guiding this work is that by studying molecular and cellular changes at the very earliest time points following oncogenic Kras activation, even prior to the onset of morphologic PanIN formation, we will gain unique insight into the mechanisms underlying the true initiation of pancreatic cancer, in a manner that will allow effective chemoprevention and/or pharmacologic termination of PanIN progression. In pursuit of this goal, we are proposing to study the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. We are currently generating a new mouse model in which a lox-stop-lox-GFP::KrasG12D cassette encoding a GFP-KrasG12D fusion is knocked into the endogenous Kras locus. Unlike prior models, this approach will allow for the direct visualization and FACS-based isolation of specific cell populations in which oncogenic Kras has been activated, even prior to the onset of morphologic change. This will not only allow genetic, epigenetic and functional analyses to be performed with unprecedented temporal resolution, it will also allow for these analyses to be carried out on the level of individual cells, allowing an entirely novel view of cellular heterogeneity within both forming PanINs and invasive later lesions. To test the above hypothesis, we will pursue the following Specific Aims: First, we will visualize the earliest cellular responses to LSL-GFP::KrasG12D activation in the acinar and ductal compartments using a novel in vitro culture system, and will determine the signaling pathways mediating these responses;second, we will generate and compare high resolution temporal mapping of the pre-PanIN and PanIN transcriptomes following cell type-specific activation of LSL-GFP::KrasG12D in acinar and ductal lineages;and third, we will generate and compare high resolution temporal mapping of surface marker expression in individual cells following activation of LSL-GFP::KrasG12D in the acinar and ductal lineages. Together, these Aims will provide highly innovative and important insights into the earliest events in PanIN formation, as well as an initial glimpse at the onset of cellular heterogeneity during Kras-mediated neoplasia.

Public Health Relevance

This application seeks funding to generate a novel murine model of human pancreatic cancer, in a manner that will allow the direct visualization, isolation and characterization of tumor cells with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21CA158898-01
Application #
8095001
Study Section
Molecular Oncogenesis Study Section (MONC)
Program Officer
Mietz, Judy
Project Start
2011-04-01
Project End
2013-03-31
Budget Start
2011-04-01
Budget End
2012-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$214,020
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Choi, Eunyoung; Hendley, Audrey M; Bailey, Jennifer M et al. (2016) Expression of Activated Ras in Gastric Chief Cells of Mice Leads to the Full Spectrum of Metaplastic Lineage Transitions. Gastroenterology 150:918-30.e13
Hendley, Audrey M; Wang, Yue J; Polireddy, Kishore et al. (2016) p120 Catenin Suppresses Basal Epithelial Cell Extrusion in Invasive Pancreatic Neoplasia. Cancer Res 76:3351-63
Wang, Yue J; Bailey, Jennifer M; Rovira, Meritxell et al. (2013) Sphere-forming assays for assessment of benign and malignant pancreatic stem cells. Methods Mol Biol 980:281-90