PHOTORECEPTOR CELL TUMORS IN TRANSGENIC MICE

Purpose. To produce transgenic mice that express the SV40 T-antigen on cogene specifically in photoreceptor cells, giving rise to retinoblast oma tumors of photoreceptor cell origin; to characterize the mice with regard to transgene expression and pathology and to characterize the resulting tumors histologically.Methods. Transgenic mice were generate d that express T-antigen under the control of the murine interstitial retinol binding protein promoter. Results. All mice produced developed either ocular or intracranial tumors, or both, at an early age. One l ine of mice was generated, and all mice of this line develop both reti nal photoreceptor cell and pineal tumors by as early as 2 weeks of age . Cell lines have been established from both tumor types. Conclusions. These mice represent an animal model system for human trilateral reti noblastoma, in which retinoblastomas are accompanied by pineal tumors.