Transgenic Mice Carrying Wild Type Human Her-2 Under the Whey Acidic Promoter

This transgenic line expresses the human ERBB2 (HER2) gene in mammary gland and brain, displays tolerance to ERBB2 antigen and may be useful in testing ERBB2-based vaccines and immunotherapies.

Technology Summary

Her-2 positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that is positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2).  Presence of Her-2 promotes the growth of cancer cells and is caused by a genetic mutation.  1 in 5 breast cancers are labelled as Her-2 positive; these types of cancers tend to be more aggressive and less responsive to hormone treatment.

This technology is an animal model designed to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries develop Her-2 based vaccines or immunotherapeutic agents.

Key Advantages

• Animals tolerant to Her-2 and exhibit immune responses similar to those seen in humans

Market Opportunities

Available under LEAP license

• B6.Cg-Pds5b^{Tg(Wap-ERBB2)229Wzw/J}

Stage of Development

Pre-Clinical

References & Publications

Piechocki, M.P., Ho, Y.S., Pilon, A. and Wei, W.Z. Human ErbB-2 (Her-2) transgenic mice: A model system for testing Her-2 based vaccines, J. Immunol. 171: 5787-5794, 2003.