Impact of the genetic background of transgenic mice upon the formation and timing of choroid plexus papillomas

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Abstract
Transgenic mice harboring the SV40 large T antigen gene in a C57Bl/6J genetic background (SV11) first express this gene at 1–2 weeks of age, develop papillomas of the choroid plexus by 80–90 days, and die within 125 days after birth. Transgenic mice harboring the same transgene in a (SV11‐C57Bl/6J × NZW/lacJ) F1 genetic background express considerably lower levels of the transgene mRNA at comparable times after birth. As a consequence, tumor development and death are delayed. The NZW mice appear to contribute a dominant negative regulator for the expression of the SV40 large T antigen transgene, which in turn has a dramatic effect upon the time of appearance of tumors and the death of these transgenic animals.