Viral oncogenes drive biphenotypic lymphoproliferative malignancy in transgenic mice

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the cause of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and viral oncogenic proteins, Tax and Hbz, are critical drivers of malignancy. Expression of both CD2 and CD20 has been described in a subset of ATLL cases. Transgenic mice were engineered to monitor lymphoma and leukemia after expression of Hbz and doxycycline-inducible Tax in activated T cells under the regulation of the human granzyme B (GZMB) promoter. These mice spontaneously developed lymphoproliferative disease characterized by the expansion and transformation of Cd2 + Cd20 + cells resulting in lymphoma and / or leukemia with involvement of spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. Single cell and bulk RNAseq analyses were used to characterize differences in gene expression in the Cd2 + Cd20 + cells and between mice with acute leukemia vs. lymphoma and found enrichment of Cd30 in leukemia. Doxycycline regulated the expression of Tax-associated genes, was essential for the maintenance of a subset of tumors, and resulted in the unexpected elimination of activated (Gzmb+) T cells. Full exome sequencing implicated tumor suppressors in development of leukemia. This represents a novel murine model of HTLV-1 mediated oncogenesis, a unique window into the development of Cd2 + Cd20 + tumors, and a powerful tool for discovery and evaluation of molecular drivers and therapeutic targets of ATLL.