Ret transgenic mouse model of spontaneous skin melanoma: focus on regulatory T cells. (25th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Umansky, Viktor; Sevko, Alexandra
• Is Part Of: Pigment cell & melanoma research. Volume 26:Number 4(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 457
• Page End: 463
• Publication Date: 2013-04-25
• Subjects: Melanoma -- Periodicals; Chromatophores -- Periodicals; Animal pigments -- Periodicals; 616.99477
• DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-1471

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="pcmr12104-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p> <italic>Ret</italic> transgenic mouse model of skin malignant melanoma is characterized by the overexpression of the human <italic>ret</italic> transgene in melanin‐containing cells. Transgenic mice spontaneously develop skin tumors with metastases in lymph nodes, lungs, liver, brain, and the bone marrow. Tumor lesions show typical melanoma morphology and express melanoma‐associated antigens. Although transgenic mice demonstrate an accumulation of melanoma antigen‐specific memory and effector T cells, their anti‐tumor effects could be blocked by highly immunosuppressive leukocytes enriched in the tumor microenvironment and in the periphery. Here, we discuss the role of one of the most potent immunosuppressive subset, regulatory T cells, in the melanoma progression in this model.</p> </abstract>