The long-term objective of this research is to determine the role of the TGFb type III (TGFbRIII) receptor in TGFb-related processes in normal and cancerous growth, particularly in hepatocytes. A conditional knockout of the TbRIII gene will be made using the Cre/lox system. We will create one strain of mice which will carry in the germline the TbRIII gene flanked by the Cre target sequence, lox(P). To make a hepatocyte- specific knockout, these mice will be crossed with transgenic mice in which Cre expression is both hepatocyte-specific and inducible (gift of Prof. Pierre Chambon, IgBMC, France) the knockout phenotype will be assessed by standard histological methods combined with in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to assess potential alterations in specific genes (e.g. TGFb- and growth-associated genes). In addition, the level of cell turnover in liver will be assessed by BrdU incorporation and terminal dUTP nick end labeling. The effects of TBRIII deficiency on TGFb-induced changes in growth will be directly examined in vitro in primary cultures of hepatocytes. Finally, in vivo studies will be performed to determine how TbRIII deficiency affects spontaneous and carcinogen-induced liver tumorigenesis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32CA090034-02
Application #
6514909
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-N (01))
Program Officer
Lohrey, Nancy
Project Start
2002-07-01
Project End
Budget Start
2002-07-01
Budget End
2003-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$46,584
Indirect Cost
Name
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Melbourne
State
Country
Australia
Zip Code
Jeffries, Shawn K; Catley, Delwyn; Okuyemi, Kolawole S et al. (2004) Use of a brief Smoking Consequences Questionnaire for Adults (SCQ-A) in African American smokers. Psychol Addict Behav 18:74-7
Stenvers, Kaye L; Tursky, Melinda L; Harder, Kenneth W et al. (2003) Heart and liver defects and reduced transforming growth factor beta2 sensitivity in transforming growth factor beta type III receptor-deficient embryos. Mol Cell Biol 23:4371-85