The authors would like to thank the UC Davis Mouse Biology Program for breeding the mice. This research was supported by a grant from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

All animal studies and experiments were conducted under a protocol approved by the University of California, Davis Institutional Animal Care and Use Administrative Advisory Committee.
1. MUC1.Tg Mouse Breeding and Propagation
<ol>
	<li>The UC Davis Mouse Biology Program (MBP) breeds wild type C57BL/6 male mice with heterozygous MUC1.Tg C57BL/6 female mice to establish our breeding colony. MUC1.Tg offspring are delivered for studies as needed.</li>
	<li>MBP personnel clip the toes of the offs...

<ol>
	<li>Siegel, R., Naishadham, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> CA Cancer J. Clin. 63, 11-30 (2013).</li><li>Lynch, C. F., Davila, J. A., Ries, L. A. G., Young, J. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chapter+23.+Cancer+of+the+urinary+bladder.">Chapter 23. Cancer of the urinary bladder.</a> SEER Survival Monograph: Cancer Survival Among Adults: U.S. SEER Program, 1988-2001, Patient and Tumor Characteristics. , 07-6215 (2007).</li><li>Jacobs, B. L., Lee, C. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bladder+cancer+in+2010:+how+far+have+we+come.">Bladder cancer in 2010: how far have we come.</a> CA Cancer J. Clin. 60 (4), 244-272 (2010).</li><li>Sexton, W. J., Wiegand, L. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bladder+cancer:+a+review+of+non-muscle+invasive+disease.">Bladder cancer: a review of non-muscle invasive disease.</a> Cancer Control. 17 (4), 256-268 (2010).</li><li>Bohle, A., Jocham, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intravesical+bacillus+Calmette-Guerin+versus+mitomycin+C+for+superficial+bladder+cancer:+a+formal+meta-analysis+of+comparative+studies+on+recurrence+and+toxicity.">Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin versus mitomycin C for superficial bladder cancer: a formal meta-analysis of comparative studies on recurrence and toxicity.</a> J. Urol. 169 (1), 90-95 (2003).</li><li>Shokeir, A. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Squamous+cell+carcinoma+of+the+bladder:+pathology,+diagnosis+and+treatment.">Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder: pathology, diagnosis and treatment.</a> BJU Int. 93 (2), 216-220 (2004).</li><li>Rosenberg, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Progress+in+human+tumour+immunology+and+immunotherapy.">Progress in human tumour immunology and immunotherapy.</a> Nature. 411 (6835), 380-384 (2001).</li><li>Joudi, F. N., Smith, B. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Final+results+from+a+national+multicenter+phase+II+trial+of+combination+bacillus+Calmette-Guerin+plus+interferon+alpha-2B+for+reducing+recurrence+of+superficial+bladder+cancer.">Final results from a national multicenter phase II trial of combination bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus interferon alpha-2B for reducing recurrence of superficial bladder cancer.</a> Urol. Oncol. 24 (4), 344-348 (2006).</li><li>Lau, S. K., Weiss, L. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+expression+of+MUC1,+MUC2,+and+MUC5AC+in+carcinomas+of+various+sites:+an+immunohistochemical+study.">Differential expression of MUC1, MUC2, and MUC5AC in carcinomas of various sites: an immunohistochemical study.</a> Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 122 (1), 61-69 (2004).</li><li>Hollingsworth, M. A., Swanson, B. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mucins+in+cancer:+protection+and+control+of+the+cell+surface.">Mucins in cancer: protection and control of the cell surface.</a> Nat. Rev. Cancer. 4 (1), 45-60 (2004).</li><li>Scholfield, D. P., Simms, M. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MUC1+mucin+in+urological+malignancy.">MUC1 mucin in urological malignancy.</a> BJU Int. 91 (6), 560-566 (2003).</li><li>Devine, P. L., McKenzie, I. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mucins:+structure,+function,+and+association+with+malignancy.">Mucins: structure, function, and association with malignancy.</a> Bioessays. 14 (9), 619-625 (1992).</li><li>Jerome, K. R., Barnd, D. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cytotoxic+T-lymphocytes+derived+from+patients+with+breast+adenocarcinomas+recognize+an+epitope+present+on+the+protein+core+of+a+mucin+molecule+preferentially+expressed+by+malignant+cells.">Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes derived from patients with breast adenocarcinomas recognize an epitope present on the protein core of a mucin molecule preferentially expressed by malignant cells.</a> Cancer Res. 51 (11), 2908-2916 (1991).</li><li>Takahashi, T., Makiguchi, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+of+MUC1+on+myeloma+cells+and+induction+of+HLA-unrestricted+CTL+against+MUC1+from+a+multiple+myeloma+patient.">Expression of MUC1 on myeloma cells and induction of HLA-unrestricted CTL against MUC1 from a multiple myeloma patient.</a> J. Immunol. 153 (5), 2102-2109 (1994).</li><li>Choi, C., Witzens, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enrichment+of+functional+CD8+memory+T+cells+specific+for+MUC1+in+bone+marrow+of+patients+with+multiple+myeloma.">Enrichment of functional CD8 memory T cells specific for MUC1 in bone marrow of patients with multiple myeloma.</a> Blood. 105 (5), 2132-2134 (2005).</li><li>Barnd, D. L., Lan, M. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Specific,+major+histocompatibility+complex-+unrestricted+recognition+of+tumor-associated+mucins+by+human+cytotoxic+T-cells.">Specific, major histocompatibility complex- unrestricted recognition of tumor-associated mucins by human cytotoxic T-cells.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86 (18), 7159-7163 (1989).</li><li>Ioannides, C. G., Fisk, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cytotoxic+T-cells+from+ovarian+malignant+tumors+can+recognize+polymorphic+epithelial+mucin+core+peptides.">Cytotoxic T-cells from ovarian malignant tumors can recognize polymorphic epithelial mucin core peptides.</a> J. Immunol. 151 (7), 3693-3703 (1993).</li><li>Tang, C. K., Katsara, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Strategies+used+for+MUC1+immunotherapy:+human+clinical+studies.">Strategies used for MUC1 immunotherapy: human clinical studies.</a> Expert Rev. Vaccines. 7 (7), 963-975 (2008).</li><li>Mukherjee, P., Ginardi, A. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MUC1-specific+cytotoxic+T+lymphocytes+eradicate+tumors+when+adoptively+transferred+in+vivo.">MUC1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes eradicate tumors when adoptively transferred in vivo.</a> Clin. Cancer Res. 7, 848-855 (2001).</li><li>Acres, B., Limacher, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MUC1+as+a+target+antigen+for+cancer+immunotherapy.">MUC1 as a target antigen for cancer immunotherapy.</a> Expert Rev. Vaccines. 4 (4), 493-502 (2005).</li><li>Butts, C., Murray, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Randomized+phase+IIB+trial+of+BLP25+liposome+vaccine+in+stage+IIIB+and+IV+non-small-cell+lung+cancer.">Randomized phase IIB trial of BLP25 liposome vaccine in stage IIIB and IV non-small-cell lung cancer.</a> J. Clin. Oncol. 23 (27), 6674-6681 (2005).</li><li>Butts, C., Maksymiuk, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Updated+survival+analysis+in+patients+with+stage+IIIB+or+IV+non-small-cell+lung+cancer+receiving+BLP25+liposome+vaccine+(L-BLP25),+phase+IIB+randomized,+multicenter,+open-label+trial.">Updated survival analysis in patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small-cell lung cancer receiving BLP25 liposome vaccine (L-BLP25), phase IIB randomized, multicenter, open-label trial.</a> J. Cancer. Res. Clin. Oncol. 137 (9), 1337-1342 (2011).</li><li>Agrawal, B., Krantz, M. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+induction+of+primary+human+CD4++and+CD8++T+cell+responses+against+cancer-associated+MUC1+peptide+epitopes.">Rapid induction of primary human CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses against cancer-associated MUC1 peptide epitopes.</a> Int. Immunol. 10 (12), 1907-1916 (1998).</li><li>Palmer, M., Parker, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phase+I+study+of+the+BLP25+(MUC1+peptide)+liposomal+vaccine+for+active+specific+immunotherapy+in+stage+IIIB/IV+non-small-cell+lung+cancer.">Phase I study of the BLP25 (MUC1 peptide) liposomal vaccine for active specific immunotherapy in stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer.</a> Clin. Lung Cancer. 3 (1), 49-57 (2001).</li><li>Walsh, M. D., Hohn, B. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mucin+expression+by+transitional+cell+carcinomas+of+the+bladder.">Mucin expression by transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder.</a> Br. J. Urol. 73 (3), 256-262 (1994).</li><li>Murray, A., Simms, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Production+and+characterization+of+rhenium-188-C595+antibody+for+radioimmunotherapy+of+transitional+cell+bladder+cancer.">Production and characterization of rhenium-188-C595 antibody for radioimmunotherapy of transitional cell bladder cancer.</a> J. Nucl. Med. 42 (5), 726-732 (2001).</li><li>Hughes, O., Bishop, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Targeting+superficial+bladder+cancer+by+the+intravesical+administration+of+67copper-labelled+anti-MUC1+mucin+monoclonal+antibody+C595.">Targeting superficial bladder cancer by the intravesical administration of 67copper-labelled anti-MUC1 mucin monoclonal antibody C595.</a> J. Clin. Oncol. 18 (2), 363-370 (2000).</li><li>Conn, I. G., Crocker, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HMFG-2+as+a+prognostic+indicator+in+superficial+bladder+cancer.">HMFG-2 as a prognostic indicator in superficial bladder cancer.</a> J. Clin. Pathol. 41 (11), 1191-1195 (1988).</li><li>Hughes, O., Denley, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MUC1+mucin+expression+in+transitional+cell+carcinoma+of+the+bladder:+a+target+for+diagnosis+and+therapy+with+monoclonal+antibody+C595.">MUC1 mucin expression in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: a target for diagnosis and therapy with monoclonal antibody C595.</a> J. Urol. Pathol. 12, 185-197 (2000).</li><li>Rowse, G. J., Tempero, R. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tolerance+and+immunity+to+MUC1+in+a+human+MUC1+transgenic+murine+model.">Tolerance and immunity to MUC1 in a human MUC1 transgenic murine model.</a> Cancer Res. 58 (2), 315-321 (1998).</li><li>Mukherjee, P., Madsen, C. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mucin-1+specific+immunotherapy+in+a+mouse+model+of+spontaneous+breast+cancer.">Mucin-1 specific immunotherapy in a mouse model of spontaneous breast cancer.</a> J. Immunother. 26 (1), 47-62 (2003).</li><li>McCormick, D. L., Ronan, S. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Influence+of+total+dose+and+dose+schedule+on+induction+of+urinary+bladder+cancer+in+the+mouse+by+N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxy-butyl)nitrosamine.">Influence of total dose and dose schedule on induction of urinary bladder cancer in the mouse by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxy-butyl)nitrosamine.</a> Carcinogenesis. 2 (3), 251-254 (1981).</li><li>Wurz, G. T., Gutierrez, A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antitumor+effects+of+L-BLP25+antigen-specific+tumor+immunotherapy+in+a+novel+human+MUC1+transgenic+lung+cancer+mouse+model.">Antitumor effects of L-BLP25 antigen-specific tumor immunotherapy in a novel human MUC1 transgenic lung cancer mouse model.</a> J. Transl. Med. 11, 10-1186 (2013).</li><li>Kunze, E., Schauer, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stages+of+transformation+in+the+development+of+N-butyl-N-(4hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine-induced+transitional+cell+carcinomas+in+the+urinary+bladder+of+rats.">Stages of transformation in the development of N-butyl-N-(4hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine-induced transitional cell carcinomas in the urinary bladder of rats.</a> Z Krebsforsch Klin. Onkol. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol. 87 (2), 139-160 (1976).</li><li>Crallan, R. A., Georgopoulos, N. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experimental+models+of+human+bladder+carcinogenesis.">Experimental models of human bladder carcinogenesis.</a> Carcinogenesis. 27 (3), 374-381 (2006).</li><li>Samma, S., Uemura, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+induction+of+carcinoma+in+situ+in+dog+urinary+bladder+by+sequential+treatment+with+N-methyl-N'-nitrosourea+and+N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine.">Rapid induction of carcinoma in situ in dog urinary bladder by sequential treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitrosourea and N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine.</a> Gann. 75 (5), 385-387 (1984).</li><li>Bornhof, C., Wolfrath, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Induction+of+urinary+bladder+urothelial+cancers+in+the+rabbit+by+dibutylnitrosamine+with+an+artificial+bladder+calculus+as+cocarcinogen.">Induction of urinary bladder urothelial cancers in the rabbit by dibutylnitrosamine with an artificial bladder calculus as cocarcinogen.</a> Urologe A. 28 (6), 339-343 (1989).</li><li>Irving, C. C., Tice, A. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inhibition+of+N-n-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-induced+urinary+bladder+cancer+in+rats+by+administration+of+disulfiram+in+the+diet.">Inhibition of N-n-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-induced urinary bladder cancer in rats by administration of disulfiram in the diet.</a> Cancer Res. 39 (8), 3040-3043 (1979).</li><li>Mehta, N. R., Wurz, G. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=L-BLP25+vaccine+plus+letrozole+induces+a+TH1+immune+response+and+has+additive+antitumor+activity+in+MUC1-expresssing+mammary+tumors+in+mice.">L-BLP25 vaccine plus letrozole induces a TH1 immune response and has additive antitumor activity in MUC1-expresssing mammary tumors in mice.</a> Clin. Cancer Res. 18 (10), 2861-2871 (2012).</li></ol>

The successful induction of invasive transitional and squamous cell bladder carcinoma in human MUC1.Tg mice offers a preclinical model for Immunotherapy development. Immunotherapeutic studies require the use of a spontaneous, immune intact model in order to evaluate the inflammatory response to tumor progression over time as well as the immune response to immunotherapy. In a spontaneous tumor development model, the tumor microenvironment remains intact and the tumors develop at a more representative growth rate that allo...

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer and the eighth leading cause of cancer deaths in American men. In the United States, an estimated 72,500 new cases and 15,000 deaths from bladder cancer are expected among men and women combined in 20131. The incidence of bladder cancer is approximately three times as high in men compared to women. In the United States, transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) account for over 90% of cases, while squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) have an incidence of less than 2%2. The overall relative 5-year survival rate for papillary TCC is 91.5% compared to only 30.9% for SCC2. Although noninvasive papillary TCCs account for approximately 75% of cases at the time of diagnosis, even with treatment more than 50% of patients will experience a recurrence within 5 years, with up to 30% of these patients progressing to muscle invasive disease3,4. Typical treatment regimens for non-muscle invasive disease include transurethral resection (TUR) followed by intravesical chemotherapy. In patients with high-grade Ta or T1 tumors, a repeat TUR may be performed prior to chemotherapy3,4. For those patients with low-grade Ta recurrences or high-grade Ta or T1 lesions, TUR followed by adjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy in the form of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) may be used3,4. Intravesical BCG has been shown to be superior to intravesical mitomycin C with respect to time to recurrence5. For T2 muscle invasive disease, radical cystectomy with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the recommended course of treatment3. In patients with SCC, radical cystectomy appears to be the most effective treatment6. Given the very high rates of recurrence despite the best treatments available, there is clearly a need for new, more effective therapies for bladder cancer.
Expanding new immunotherapies for bladder cancer is one possible approach that may hold promise for extending disease-free survival. Historically, BCG has been the only effective immunotherapy for bladder cancer. Its mechanism of action is thought to involve the nonspecific induction of a T-helper 1 (Th1) type immune response via increasing levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN-&#947;)4. Cellular, or Th1 immunity, is critical in cancer immunotherapy as humoral, or Th2, immunity has never been shown to be effective against solid tumors, with the exception of antibodies directed against growth factor receptors7. In an attempt to improve upon the benefits of BCG monotherapy, IFN-&#945; 2B/BCG combination immunotherapy was evaluated in a phase II clinical trial with inconclusive results8. An alternative approach to immunotherapy for bladder cancer may be to target tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), the identification of which has made cancer immunotherapy more specific7.
One such TAA is mucin 1 (MUC1), which is a cell surface glycoprotein overexpressed in many epithelial cell cancers such as bladder, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer9,10. The expression and modification of MUC1 is also substantially altered during carcinogenesis, such that underglycosylation exposes antigenic sequences of amino acids known as variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) on the peptide core. While MUC1 is a self-molecule, these immunodominant VNTR regions are not normally exposed due to extensive glycosylation, and thus they are seen by the immune system as foreign11,12. Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) that specifically recognize MUC1 epitopes have been isolated from the tumor-draining lymph nodes of breast cancer patients13, as well as the blood and bone marrow of myeloma patients14,15, making MUC1 a potential target for a cellular immune response. The immunodominant VNTRs of the underglycosylated form of MUC1 are recognized by CTLs, resulting in the destruction of tumor cells16-19. Native cellular and/or humoral immune responses to cancerous MUC1 are, however, not strong enough to eliminate tumors. To augment the already existing weak immune response to MUC1, synthetic immunodominant peptides can be introduced through vaccination to generate a CTL response strong enough to be of clinical benefit18,20. A MUC1 liposomal vaccine has already been shown to increase survival in lung cancer patients21,22, generate CTLs capable of killing MUC1-positive tumor cells, and produce a Th1-polarized cytokine response23,24. With a high level of MUC1 expression9,11,25, bladder cancer is a logical candidate for testing MUC1-directed immunotherapy26,27. Furthermore, MUC1 has potential as a prognostic factor in bladder cancer28, MUC1 expression in TCC is significantly associated with stage and grade, and metastatic TCC has been shown to continue to express MUC129.
In order to evaluate the potential utility of MUC1-directed immunotherapy in bladder cancer, we developed an immune intact human MUC1 (hMUC1)-expressing transgenic (MUC1.Tg) mouse model of bladder cancer congenic on the C57BL/6 background30. Human MUC1 is expressed as a self-protein under the control of its own promoter, resulting in a tissue expression pattern consistent with that observed in humans30,31. The mice were induced with the known bladder carcinogen N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (OH-BBN)32, and then the resulting tumors were evaluated for hMUC1 expression and tumor type and grade. To assess the effect of the carcinogen on Th1/Th2 cytokine levels during tumor development, serum samples were collected periodically for multiplex analysis. Mice were then treated with a MUC1-targeted peptide vaccine, and the serum cytokine and immune responses were evaluated by multiplex fluorometric microbead immunoassay and ELISpot.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Reagent&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (OH-BBN)</td>
			<td>TCI America</td>
			<td>B0938</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>20 G Gavage Needles</td>
			<td>Popper &#38; Sons, Inc.</td>
			<td>7921</td>
			<td>Stainless steel</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Peptide Vaccine</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>investigational agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BD Microtainers</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>365957</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue Cassettes</td>
			<td>Simport</td>
			<td>M490-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10% Neutral Buffered Formalin</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>SF100-4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lysis Buffer</td>
			<td>Pierce</td>
			<td>87787</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Halt Protease &#38; Phosphatase inhibitor cocktail</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>78444</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit</td>
			<td>Pierce</td>
			<td>23225</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse Cytokine 20plex Kit</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>LMC006</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Magnetic Microsphere Beads</td>
			<td>Luminex</td>
			<td>MC100xx-01</td>
			<td>xx is the bead region</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-mouse TNF- Capture Antibody</td>
			<td>BD Pharmingen</td>
			<td>551225</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-mouse TNF- Detection Antibody</td>
			<td>BD Pharmingen</td>
			<td>554415</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-mouse IFN- Capture Antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab10742</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-mouse IFN- Detection Antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab83136</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS, pH 7.4</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P3813-10PAK</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tween-20</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>BP337-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Assay Buffer</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>L-MAB</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cytokine Standard</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>MXM8070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Multi-screen HTS 96well filter plates</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>MSBVN1210</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SA-PE</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>SA10044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100 m Nylon Tissue Sieves</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>352360</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Splenocyte Separation Media</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>17-829E</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TNF- /IL-4 ELISpot plates</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>ELD5217</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit Anti-MUC1 monoclonal antibody</td>
			<td>Epitomics</td>
			<td>2900-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat Anti-actin monoclonal antibody</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A1978</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-rabbit HRP antibody</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>W401B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-mouse HRP antibody</td>
			<td>Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.</td>
			<td>SC-2005</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PVDF membrane</td>
			<td>BioRad</td>
			<td>162-0174</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mini Protean TGX Precast Gels</td>
			<td>BioRad</td>
			<td>456-1083</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Muse Count &#38; Viability Kit</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>MCH100104</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MUC1 Antibody</td>
			<td>BD Pharmingen</td>
			<td>550486</td>
			<td>IHC antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Animal Research Peroxidase Kit</td>
			<td>Dako</td>
			<td>K3954</td>
			<td>IHC staining</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>[header]</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Equipment and Software</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Millipore plate vaccum apparatus</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>MSVMHTS00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Luminex Lx200</td>
			<td>Millipore / Luminex</td>
			<td>40-013</td>
			<td>Manufactured by Luminex, distributed by Millipore</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Luminex Xponent Software</td>
			<td>Millipore / Luminex</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Version 3.1; included with Luminex Lx200</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Milliple Analyst Software</td>
			<td>Milliplex / VigeneTech</td>
			<td>40-086</td>
			<td>Version 5.1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Muse Cell Analyzer</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>0500-3115</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Muse Software</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Version 1.1.0.0; included with Analyzer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting Microscope</td>
			<td>Unitron</td>
			<td>Z730</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Graphpad Prism Software</td>
			<td>Graphpad Software Inc.</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Version 5.1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mini Protean Tetra Cell Gel apparatus</td>
			<td>BioRad</td>
			<td>165-8001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trans Blot SD Cell and PowerPac</td>
			<td>BioRad</td>
			<td>170-3849</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

induction of invasive transitional cell bladder carcinoma in immune intact human muc1 transgenic mice:  a model for immunotherapy development

A preclinical model of invasive bladder cancer was developed in human mucin 1 (MUC1) transgenic (MUC1.Tg) mice for the purpose of evaluating immunotherapy and/or cytotoxic chemotherapy. To induce bladder cancer, C57BL/6 mice (MUC1.Tg and wild type) were treated orally with the carcinogen N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (OH-BBN) at 3.0 mg/day, 5 days/week for 12 weeks. To assess the effects of OH-BBN on serum cytokine profile during tumor development, whole blood was collected via submandibular bleeds prior to treatment and every four weeks. In addition, a MUC1-targeted peptide vaccine and placebo were administered to groups of mice weekly for eight weeks. Multiplex fluorometric microbead immunoanalyses of serum cytokines during tumor development and following vaccination were performed. At termination, interferon gamma (IFN-&#947;)/interleukin-4 (IL-4) ELISpot analysis for MUC1 specific T-cell immune response and histopathological evaluations of tumor type and grade were performed. The results showed that: (1) the incidence of bladder cancer in both MUC1.Tg and wild type mice was 67%; (2) transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) developed at a 2:1 ratio compared to squamous cell carcinomas (SCC); (3) inflammatory cytokines increased with time during tumor development; and (4) administration of the peptide vaccine induces a Th1-polarized serum cytokine profile and a MUC1 specific T-cell response. All tumors in MUC1.Tg mice were positive for MUC1 expression, and half of all tumors in MUC1.Tg and wild type mice were invasive. In conclusion, using a team approach through the coordination of the efforts of pharmacologists, immunologists, pathologists and molecular biologists, we have developed an immune intact transgenic mouse model of bladder cancer that expresses hMUC1.

The preclinical assessment of the effects of novel immunotherapies and combinations in bladder cancer requires the development of an appropriate animal model. In our transgenic mouse model, induction with the chemical carcinogen OH-BBN resulted in a high rate of bladder cancer incidence of predominantly TCC with some SCC, which is similar to bladder cancer in humans. To determine tumor histology, MUC1 expression status and the immune response to the peptide vaccine treatment, 21 MUC1.Tg and 18 wild type mice were euthani...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Induction of Invasive Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma in Immune Intact Human MUC1 Transgenic Mice:  A Model for Immunotherapy Development at JoVE.com

Induction of Invasive Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma in Immune Intact Human MUC1 Transgenic Mice:  A Model for Immunotherapy Development

An N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-induced bladder cancer model was developed in human mucin 1 (MUC1) transgenic mice for the purpose of testing MUC1-directed immunotherapy. After administering a MUC1-targeted peptide vaccine, a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to MUC1 was confirmed by measuring serum cytokine levels and T-cell specific activity.

A preclinical model of invasive bladder cancer was developed in human mucin 1 (MUC1) transgenic (MUC1.Tg) mice for the purpose of evaluating immunotherapy ...

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