The Neurofibromatosis Therapeutic Acceleration Program (NTAP) supports programs that foster collaboration and encourage the open and timely sharing of results. The tools and knowledge that are generated in our programs are made available to the neurofibromatosis community to ensure discoveries are advanced as quickly as possible.
Tools currently available or in development at large are listed below and within this PDF document:
Reagents
| Project title/type | PI/contact | Tool Description/Features | Tool Status | Publications | Funded by NTAP |
| Ras Reference Reagents Initiative | Dominic Esposito | Collection of entry clones (both stop and no-stop versions) of Ras pathway genes (>180 genes) | Available. To learn more, click here | No | |
| Ras Reference Reagents Initiative | Dominic Esposito | Reagents for Producing Fully-Processed KRAS 4B Protein | Available. To learn more, click here | Gillette WK, et al., Sci Rep. 2015, 5:15916. doi: 10.1038/srep15916 | No |
| Ras Reference Reagents Initiative | Dominic Esposito | Collection of wild-type HRAS, NRAS, KRAS4a and KRAS4b genes, and mutant KRAS4b (N=36), KRAS4a (N=6), HRAS (N=7) and NRAS (N=7) genes. Available as Gateway entry clones, all are fully sequenced and have the same context to enable optimal correlation of phenotype with genotype. | Available. To learn more, click here | No | |
| Ras Reference Reagents Initiative | Dominic Esposito | Two sets of RAS cell lines: “RASless” mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), and patient-derived cancer cell lines that express mutant KRAS genes. | Available. To learn more, click here | No | |
| Role of Cumulative Genetic Defects in NF1 Tumorigenesis | Margaret (Peggy) Wallace | Polyclonal rabbit anti-neurofibromin: PcNFn27, Monoclonal rabbit anti-neurofibromin: McNFn27a and McNFn27b. Used for investigating tumor progression pathways in NF1 | Contact PI |
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No |
| Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) as a Modifier of NF1-Associated Tumorigenesis and a Potential Therapeutic Target | Susan Lindquist | pBabe vector encoding EGFP and pBabe vector encoding dominant-negative MEK1 mutant (Ser218Ala and Ser222Ala) | Contact PI | Dai C, et al. 2012. Loss of tumor suppressor NF1 activates HSF1 to promote carcinogenesis. J Clin Invest 122(10):3742-3754. | No |
Animal Models
| Project title/type | PI/contact | Tool Description/Features | Tool Status | Publications | Funded by NTAP |
| A Robust Plexiform Neurofibroma Model for Preclinical Drug Screening | Lu Le | Mouse model of pNF where disease formation is addresed at the level of cell of origin (Nf1-/- ;R26R-LacZ- Luciferase DNSC). Can be used for compounds screening studies. | Available. To learn more, click here | Chen Z, Liu C, Patel A, Lia C-P, Wang Y, Lu L. Cells of Origin in the Embryonic Nerve Roots for NF1-Associated Plexiform Neurofibroma, Cancer Cell 2014, November, 26(5), 596-599. | Yes |
| Development of a Preclinical NF1-MPNST Platform Suitable for Precision Oncology Drug Discovery and Evaluation | Angela Hirbe | PDX models of MPNST that capture genetic diversity at a broad level. | Not yet available – in development. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| Novel Therapeutics in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST) | Ping Chi | PDX models of MPNST that focus on specific signaling pathways associated with disease formation. | Not yet available – in development. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| Cutaneous Neurofibroma: Models, Biology and Translation | Piotr Topilko | Mouse model of cNF from which disease formation is addressed at the level of cell of origin (purported to be Prss56-positive BC cells). Data from identification and characterization of the cell type(s), among the BC derivatives in the skin. | Available. To learn more, click here | Radomska KJ, Coulpier F, Gresset A, Schmitt A, Debbiche A, Lemoine S, Wolkenstein P, Vallat JM, Charnay P, Topilko P. Cellular Origin, Tumor Progression, and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Cutaneous Neurofibromas Revealed by Mice with Nf1 Knockout in Boundary Cap Cells.Cancer Discovery. 2018 Oct 22. | Yes |
| Cutaneous Neurofibroma: Models, Biology and Translation | Lu Le | Mouse xenograft model of cNF involving murine derived SKPs with HoxB7 and cell of origin lineage marker. | Available. To learn more, click here | Chen Z, Mo J, Brosseau JP, Shipman T, Wang Y, Liao CP, Cooper JM, Allaway RJ, Gosline SJ, Guinney J, Carroll TJ, Le LQ. Spatiotemporal Loss of NF1 in Schwann Cell Lineage Leads to Different Types of Cutaneous Neurofibroma Susceptible to Modification by the Hippo Pathway. Cancer Discov. 2019 Jan;9(1):114-129 | Yes |
| Genetically engineered mouse model for plexiform neurofibroma | Wade Clapp | Mouse model based on Krox20;Nf1flox/−; Used for drug screening, dosing schedules for selumetinib, and patterns of resistance. | Available. To learn more, click here | Yang FC, Ingram DA, Chen S, et al. Nf1- dependent tumors require a microenvironment containing Nf1+/- and c-kit-dependent bone marrow. Cell. 2008;135(3):437-448. PMCID: PMC2788814. | No |
| Genetically engineered mouse model for plexiform neurofibroma | Wade Clapp | Mouse model based on Nf1flox/flox;Postn-Cre; Used for drug screening, and patterns of resistance. | |||
| Genetically engineered mouse model for plexiform neurofibroma | Nancy Ratner | Mouse model based on DhhCre-Nf1fl/fl ; Used for drug screening and gene expression analysis studies | Available. To learn more, click here | Wu J, Williams JP, Rizvi TA, Kordich JJ, Witte D, Meijer D, Stemmer-Rachamimov AO, Cancelas JA, Ratner N. Plexiform and dermal neurofibromas and pigmentation are caused by Nf1 loss in desert hedgehog-expressing cells. Cancer Cell. 2008 Feb;13(2):105-16. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2007.12.027. | No |
| Genetically engineered mouse model for plexiform neurofibroma | Robert Kesterson | Mutation specific model (Nonsense mutation (c.2041C>T; p.Arg681*) and Missense mutation (c.2542G>C; p.Gly848Arg)) for testing of therapeutics. | Available. To learn more, click here | Kairong Li, Ashley N. Turner, Min Chen, Stephanie N. Brosius,Trenton R. Schoeb, Ludwine M. Messiaen, David M. Bedwell, Kurt R. Zinn, Corina Anastasaki, David H. Gutmann, Bruce R. Korf, and Robert A. Kesterson. Mice with missense and nonsense NF1 mutations display divergent phenotypes compared with human neurofibromatosis type I. Dis Model Mech. 2016 Jul 1; 9(7): 759–767 | No |
| Genetically engineered mouse model for MPNST | Karen Cichowski, Tyler Jacks | Mouse model based on transgenic Nf1 Nf1+/-; p53+/- ; used for drug screening, safety, and biomarker studies | Available. To learn more, click here | Cichowski K, Shih TS, Schmitt E, Santiago S, Reilly K, McLaughlin ME, Bronson RT, Jacks T. Mouse models of tumor development in neurofibromatosis type 1. Science. 1999 Dec 10;286(5447):2172-6. | No |
| The Use of Nf1 and Nf2 Mutant Mouse Strains in the Investigation of Gene Function and Disease Development | Tyler Jacks | Model of glioblastoma: Nf1 +/-; Trp53 +/- | Available. To learn more, click here | Reilly KM et al. 2000. Nf1;Trp53 mutant mice develop glioblastoma with evidence of strain- specific effects. Nature Genetics 26(1):109-113. | |
| Genetically engineered mouse model for cerebellar defects | Yuan Zhu | Mouse model based on Nestin-CreER+; Nf1fl/fl or flox/+ | Available. To learn more, click here | Kim E, Wang Y, Kim SJ, Bornhorst M, Jecrois ES, Anthony TE, Wang C, Li YE, Guan JL, Murphy GG, Zhu Y. Transient inhibition of the ERK pathway prevents cerebellar developmental defects and improves long-term motor functions in murine models of neurofibromatosis type 1. Elife. 2014 Dec 23;3. doi: 10.7554/eLife.05151. | No |
| Molecular Regulation of Endothelial Cells by NF-1 | Kevin Pumiglia | Inducible knockdown of Nf1 in the vascular endothelium: CAD5-CreERT2/Rosa26-LSL-td-Tomato/NF1flox/flox | Contact PI | No | |
| Neurofibromin Function in Chondrocytes | Florent Elefteriou | Mouse model to assess Nf1 loss of function in chondrocytes | Contact PI | Wang W, et al. 2011. Mice lacking Nf1 in osteochondroprogenitor cells displays skeletal dysplasia similar to patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. Human Molecular Genetics 20(20):3910-3924. | No |
| Identification of the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Osseous Manifestations of NF1 in Murine and Human Systems | Feng-Chun Yang | NF1 skeletal mouse model with reduced bone mineral density, reduced calcium ossification, reduced bone turnover, and increased ratio of spinal canal area to vertebral body area | Contact PI | Xiaohua W, et al. 2011. The haploinsufficient hematopoietic microenvironment is critical to the pathological fracture repair in murine models of neurofibromatosis Type 1. Public Library of Science 6(9):e24917. | No |
| Somatostatin and CD26: New Approach for the Treatment of NF1 Tumors | Slawomir Antoszczyk | MPNST sciatic nerve sheath tumor mouse model in immune competent mice | Contact PI | Antoxzczyk S, et al. 2014. Treatment of orthotopic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors with oncolytic herpes simplex virus. Neuro Oncol, first published online January 26, 2014 | No |
| Preclinical Mouse Models of Neurofibromatosis | Kevin Shannon | Model of myeloproliferative disorder: Mx1-Cre; Nf1flox/flox | Contact PI | Le DT et al. 2004. Somatic inactivation of NF1 in hematopoietic cells results in a progressive myeloproliferative disorder. Blood 103(11):4243-4250. | No |
| In Vivo Models of NF-1: The Nervous System and Tumorigenesis | Luis Parada | Conditional knockout of Nf1 in neurons: Synapsin 1-Cre; Nf1flox/flox ; Nf1+/-; p53+/- cis | Available. To learn more, click here | Zhu Y et al. 2001. Ablation of NF1 function in neurons induces abnormal brain development of cerebral cortex and reactive gliosis in the brain. Genes & Development 15(7):859-876.
Vogel KS, et al. 1999. Mouse tumor model for neurofibromatosis type 1. Science 286(5447):2176-2179. |
No |
| Porcine model for evaluating neurofibromatosis type 1 | Jill Weimer | Yucatan miniswine with Exon 42 deletion (NF1+/ex42del), produced via recombinant adeno- assisted virus mediated gene targeting and somatic cell nuclear transfer, that recapitulates molecular and phenotypic hallmarks of the human disease. Can be used for studying biology of NF type 1 disease pathogenesis and testing of therapeutics. | Available. To learn more, click here | White, K. et al. A porcine model of neurofibromatosis type 1 that mimics the human disease. JCI Insight. 2018 Jun 21; 3(12): e120402. | No |
| Porcine model for evaluating neurofibromatosis type 1 | David Largaspaeda | Ossabaw miniswine with R1947 mutation (NF1+/R1947*) model, produced via gene editing by TALEN, that recapitulates molecular and phenotypic hallmarks of the human disease, for studying biology of NF type 1 disease pathogenesis and testing of therapeutics. | Available. To learn more, click here | Isakson, S. et al. Genetically engineered minipigs model the major clinical features of human neurofibromatosis type 1 Commun Biol. 2018; 1: 158. | No |
| Zebrafish models for neurofibromatosis type 1 | Thomas Look | Zebrafish model of NF1 that recapitulates molecular and phenotypic hallmarks of the human disease, for studying biology of NF type 1 disease pathogenesis and testing of therapeutics. | Available. To learn more, click here | Shin J, et al. Zebrafish neurofibromatosis type 1 genes have redundant functions in tumorigenesis and embryonic development. Dis Model Mech. 2012 Nov;5(6):881-94. | No |
| Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors as Potential Pharmaceutical Targets for Neurofibroma Formation | Michael Stern | Drosophila models, entailing D42>CaMKIIT287D, D42>CaMKIIT287A, D42>ala, DFaKCG1,D42>DFaK+, DFaKCG1, D42>CaMKIIT287D, D42>PI3KDN, CaMKIIT287D, D42>PI3K-CAAX, ala, DFaKCG1,D42>PI3K- CAAX, DmGluRA112b;D42>CaMKIIT287D, DmGluRA112b; D42>+ | Contact PI | Lin C et al. 2011. The metabotropic glutamate receptor activates the lipid kinase PI3K in Drosophila motor neurons through calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase DFaK. Genetics 188:601-613. | No |
| Control of Growth Within Drosophila Peripheral Nerves by Ras and Protein Kinase A | Michael Stern | Drosophila models, entailing D42>PI3K-CAAX, DmGluRA112b;D42>PI3K-CAAX, D42>PI3KDN, Foxo21/Foxo25, Foxo21/Foxo25;OK6>PI3KDN, D42>PI3K- CAAX;Foxo+, OK6>PI3KDN, D42>Foxo+, D42>PI3K- CAAX;S6KDN, D42>S6KACT, D42>S6KDN, gli>RasV12, PI3K2H1;gli>RasV12, gli>PI3KDN,RasV12, gli>PI3K-CAAX, PI3K2H1/PI3KA;gli>PI3K-CAAX, MZ709>PI3K-CAAX, gli- RafF179, gli>RalV20, Akt4226;gli>PI3K-CAAX, Akt4226/+;gli>PI3K-CAAX, gli>PI3K-CAAX;Foxo+(f19-5), gli>PI3K-CAAX, Foxo+(m3-1), gli>PI3K-CAAX, GFP | Contact PI | Howlett E, et al. 2008. A PI3-kinase-mediated negative feedback regulates neuronal excitability. Public Library of Science Genetics 4 e1000277.
Lavery W, et al. 2007. Phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase and Akt nonautonomously promote perineural glial growth in Drosophila peripheral nerves. Journal of Neuroscience27:279-288. |
No |
Methods
| Project title/type | PI/contact | Tool Description/Features | Tool Status | Publications | Funded by NTAP |
| Improving Cognitive and Behavioral Function in NF1 Genetically Engineered Mice | David Gutmann | PET technique to detect and evaluating promising agents for attention deficit in Nf1 mutant mice | Available. To learn more, click here | Brown JA, et al. 2011. PET imaging for attention deficit preclinical drug testing in neurofibromatosis-1 mice. Exp Neurol 232(2):333-338 | No |
| Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Calmodulin Inhibitors for the Treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors | Steve Carroll | Orthotopic xenografting method for luciferase-tagged MPNST cells | Available. To learn more, click here | Turk AN, et al. 2011. Orthotopic xenografting of human luciferase-tagged malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor cells for in vivo testing of candidate therapeutic agents.
Journal of Visualized Experiments 49 Byer SJ, et al. 2011. |
No |
| Interchromosomal Associations that Alter NF1 Gene Expression Can Modify Clinical Manifestations of Neurofibromatosis 1 | Andrew Hoffman | Associated chromosome trap (ACT) assay | Available. To learn more, click here | Ling J and Hoffman AR. 2011. Associated chromosome trap for identifying long-range DNA interactions. J Vis Exp 23(50) 2621. | No |
Non-animal Models
| Project title/type | PI/contact | Tool Description/Features | Tool Status | Publications | Funded by NTAP |
| Plexiform Neurofibroma Model Systems for Preclinical Drug Screening | Ray Mattingly | 3D co-culture model of pNF | Available. To learn more, click here | Kraniak JM, Chalasani A, Wallace MR, Mattingly RR. Development of 3D Culture Models of Plexiform Neurofibroma and Initial Application for Phenotypic Characterization and Drug Screening. Exp Neurol. 2018; J299(Pt B):289-298. PMID: 29055717 | Yes |
| TRAPping the metabolic adaptations of plexiform neurofibroma | Giorgio Colombo | Computational model of TRAP1 at the level of unique allosteric binding sites. | Not yet available – In development. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| A 3D Cutaneous Neurofibroma Model for Automated High-Throughput Drug Screenings | Alice Soragni | 3D organoid model of cNF using patient derived tissues | Not yet available – in development. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| Deconstruction and Reconstitution of NF1 Cutaneous Neurofibromas | Ray Mattingly | Cell culture model of cNF using patient derived tissues | Not yet available – in development. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| Exploring Neurofibromin Function in a Yeast Model of NF1 | Aaron Gitler | S. cerevisiaeLira strains: 1. 1Δ mutant, 2. ira2Δ mutant | Contact PI | No
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Biospecimens
| Project title/type | PI/contact | Tool Description/Features | Tool Status | Publications | Funded by NTAP |
| Perpetuating NF1+/- and NF1-/- plexiform neurofibroma-derived tumor cells through the generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells | Edu Serra | Authenticated and characterized iPS cells from pNFs, which are a replenishable source of cells for studying biology of pNF and models generation. Available to order from CRMB. | Available. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| Development of a PNF Cellular Assay for HTS | Margaret (Peggy) Wallace | Semi-immortalized, characterized cells of pNF which are a replenishable source of cells for studying biology of pNF. Available for ordering from ATCC. | Available. To learn more, click here | Li H, Chang LJ, Neubauer D, Muir D, Wallace MR, Immortalization of human normal and NF1 neurofibroma schwann cells. Laboratory Investigation 2016 Oct; 96:1105–1115.
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Yes |
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A Nerve Sheath Tumor Bank from Patients with NF1 |
Christine Pratilas | High quality clinically annotated biospecimen library including tissues, cells, genomic data, and PDX available to the NF1 global research community | Available. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| Genetic Studies of Neurofibromatosis | Margaret (Peggy) Wallace | Semi-immortalized, characterized cells of cNF , whose use is aimed at elucidating the underlying biology of cNF | Not yet available – In development. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| Leveraging human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to determine the impact of patient-derived NF1 gene mutations on peripheral sensory neuron-driven Schwann cell growth | David Gutmann | Isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells harboring NF1-patient germline NF1 gene mutations, useful for studying effects of sensory neuorons driven Schwann cell growth. | Not yet available – in development. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| Modeling cNF with human Schwann cells via tunable and reversible control of NF1 protein | Gabsang Lee | Model of human SC development with the ability to tunably control NF expression, for studying the underlying biology of cNF. | Not yet available – in development. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as Potential Therapeutic Agents in NF1 | Jonathan Chernoff | NF1 gene repair vector designed to replace the disrupted Nf1 allele in a mouse model by restoring exon 31. | Contact PI | Yes | |
| Receptor Tyrosine Kinases as Targets for Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors in NF1 Patients | Victor Felix Mautner | MPNST cell lines: 1) 1507 (loss of heterozygosity in p53; splicing mutation in intron 23-1 and a deletion in exon 10a of NF1). 2) 1844 (loss of heterozygosity in NF1 region) | Contact PI | Reuss DE, et al. 2013. Sensitivity of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor cells to TRAIL is augmented by loss of NF1 through modulation of MYC/MAD and is potentiated by curcumin through induction of ROS. PLoS One 8(2):e57152 | Yes |
| Molecular Mechanisms of Schwann Cell Proliferation in NF1 | George Devries | Immortalized human NF1 MPNST cell line: T265-2C | Contact PI | Lee PR, et al. 2004. Transcriptional profiling in an MPNST-derived cell line and normal human Schwann cells. Neuron Glia Biology 1(2):135- 147. | Yes |
Clinical
| Project title/type | PI/contact | Tool Description/Features | Tool Status | Publications | Funded by NTAP |
| Development of Patient Reported Outcomes System for Patients with NF1-Associated Plexiform Neurofibromas using Mixed Method Approach | Jin Shei Lai | PRO measure in pNF developed using a mixed-methods approach, whose methodology may be used for intervention studies. | Available. To learn more, click here | Lai, J.S., Jensen, S.E., Patel, Z., Listernick, R., Charrow, J. (2017). Using a qualitative approach to conceptualize concerns of patients with neurofibromatosis Type 1 associated plexiform neurofibromas (pNF) across the lifespan. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, 173(1), 79-87.
Patel, Z.S., Jensen, S.E., Lai, J.S. (2016). Considerations for conducting qualitative research with pediatric patients for the purpose of PRO development. Quality of Life Research, 25, 2193-2199. |
Yes |
| Development of a Child Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Health Related Quality of Life Measure | Nancy Swigonski | PRO measure of health related QoL in children with pNF,that can be used as an end-point in clinical trials or intervention studies. | Available. To learn more, click here | Nutakki K, Varni JW, Steinbrenner S, Draucker CB, Swigonski NL. Development of the pediatric quality of life inventory neurofibromatosis type 1 module items for children, adolescents and young adults: qualitative methods. J Neurooncol. 2017 Mar;132(1):135-143.
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Yes |
| Development of a needs-based quality of life Patient Reported Outcome measure specific to patients with NF1-associated pNFs | Stephen McKenna | PRO measure of need-based QoL in pNF, that can be used as an end-point in clinical trials or intervention studies. | Not yet available – in development. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| The Development and Validation of PRO Measures to Assess Pain in Individuals with NF1 and pNF | Pam Wolters | PRO measure of pain intensity and pain interference in pNF, that can be used as an end-point in clinical trials or intervention studies. | Not yet available – in development. To learn more, click here | Yes | |
| High-Resolution Ultrasonography and Optical Frequency Domain Imaging for Measurement and Characterization of Cutaneous Neurofibromas in Patients with NF1 | Scott Plotkin | Method being developed to assess the rate of growth/change of cNF on a much faster time scale versus other methods such as calipers, 3D photography. | Not yet available – in development. | Yes |
Databases and Datasets
| microRNA Gene Regulatory Networks in Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors | Subbaya Subramanian | microRNA profile of neurofibromas, schwanomas, and peripheral nerve sheath tumors from humans and mice | Contact PI | http://www.oncomir.umn.edu/SMED/ stat_query.php | No |
| Genetic Characterization of MPNST by High- Density SNP Array | Arie Perry | SNP array from MPNSTs | Contact PI | Yu J, et al. 2011. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization identifies CDK4 and FOXM1 alterations as independent predictors of survival in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Clinical Cancer Research 17(7):1924-1934.
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No |
| Studies of Neurofibromatosis 1 modifier genes | Andre Bernaras | Beagle Database: a genome-wide multi-species biological annotation tool (incorporates published Ras superfamily database) | Contact PI | Bernaras, A. 2006. Ras Superfamily and interacting proteins database. Methods in Enzymology 407:1-9. | No |
| Biological Basis of Neurodevelopmental Deficits in NF: Insights Through Expression Profiling | Eric Hoffman | Microarray data set from the hippocampus of mice with Nf1 haploinsufficiency | Contact PI | http://pepr.cnmcresearch.org/browse.do?acti on=list_prj_exp&projectId=31 | No |