Figure 1.

Overview of the Consomic Xenograft Model (CXM). (A) Reduced susceptibility to mammary tumors (DMBA-induced) in SS.BN3 consomic rats (n = 14) compared with SS (n = 40), as reported previously by Adamovic et al (16). ***P<0.001 as determined by Fisher’s exact test using Bootstrap.(B) Schematic representation of the SS and SS.BN3 genomes that were modified by TALEN-mediated editing of the IL2Rγ gene. The numbered bars represent chromosomes that are derived from SS (white) or BN (black). Note that the only genetic differences between SS^IL2Rγ and SS.BN3^IL2Rγ are the inheritance of chromosome 3 from the SS or BN rats. (C) The transgenically labeled human 231^Luc+ breast cancer cells were orthotopically implanted in the MFP (indicated by dashed lines) of SS^IL2Rγ and SS.BN3^IL2Rγ rats. Tumor progression (e.g., growth, vasculogenesis, and metastasis) were tracked over the duration of the experiment. (D) Because the 231^Luc+ tumor cells are the same between strains (gray), any differences in tumor progression can be attributed to differences in the SS^IL2Rγ (green) and SS.BN3^IL2Rγ (blue) microenvironments.