DEVELOPMENT OF THYMIC CARCINOMA IN TRANSGENIC MICE EXPRESSING SV40 T-ANTIGEN

We produced transgenic mice using SV40 Tag gene under the control of i ts own enhancer and promoter. Three transgenic lines (SNU-SVT125, 127, 248) consistently developed thymic carcinoma as well as choroid plexu s carcinoma and dysplastic renal tubule. In SNU-SVT248 line, SV40 Tag transgene was expressed at thymus, spleen and kidney. Thymic epitheliu m showed high level expression of SV40 Tag in immunohistochemistry. Hi stopathological and electron microscopic analysis revealed that poorly differentiated carcinoma was derived from type 2 to 4 thymic epitheli al cell. Our transgenic mice would provide a model for studies on the pathogenesis of thymic carcinoma and on the regulation of thymopoiesis by epithelial cells.