RNA sequencing investigating the role of TNC in tumor progression using FVB TNC WT and TNC KO mice grafted with NT193 shC cells or NT193 shTNC cells

MMTV-NeuNT transgenic mouse model harbors an activated form of Neu (NeuNT). Mice develop stochastically multifocal mammary adenocarcinomas that metastasize to the lung (Muller et al., 1988). MMTV-NeuNT mouse model exhibits both intravascular and parenchymal metastasis which provides a good tool to comprehensively study breast cancer metastasis. In this study, we investigated the role of tenascin C (TNC) in tumor progression using the a syngeneic orthotopic grafting mouse model. NT193 cell line was isolated from MMTV-NeuNT TNC WT tumor tissue. TNC expression in these cells was turned down through shRNA strategy, giving rise to NT193 shTNC cells and their respective control NT193 shcTNC. These cells were grafted orthotopically into syngeneic FVB mice either WT or KO for TNC. In FVB WT mice, NT193 shcTNC tissue was treated with AMD3100 (plerixafor) (Sigma, A5602) at 5 mg/kg/day by peritumoral injection for 2 weeks before processing with NT193 shcTNC and NT193 shTNC tissue receiving phosphate buffered saline as a control.