Abstract:Objective To establish a spontaneous pulmonary tumor mouse model in which the K-Ras gene was activated by Cre /loxp recombinant enzyme system. Methods SPC-CRE transgenic mice were generated that lowly express lung-specific Cre recombinant enzyme. The SPC-CRE transgenic mice were mated with LSL K-ras G12D transgenic mice to produce SPC-CRE-Kras double transgenic mice. The 4,5,7 and 9 month-old SPC-CRE-Kras double transgenic mice were sacrificed and the lung tissues were extracted,fixed,embedded in paraffin and sliced. Hematoxylin-eosin ( HE) staining was performed and observed under light microscope. Micro-CT was used to test the pulmonary nodules of SPC-CRE-Kras double transgenic mice. Results The SPC-CRE-Kras double transgenic mice were generated. The expression of K-ras G12D in the SPC-CRE-Kras double transgenic mice could be induced by the Cre /Loxp recombinant enzyme system. Mild pulmonary inflammation could be found in the 4 month-old SPC-CRE-Kras double transgenic mice. The sporadic adenoma could be found in the lung of 5 month-old mice,with 100% of the mice developing pulmonary adenoma ( female 6 /6,male 6 /6) . The size and progression of the adenoma is time dependent. The pulmonary nodules could be determined by microCT in the 9 month-old. Conclusions A chronic spontaneous pulmonary tumor mouse model was established by hybridization. Longer progressive period from inflammation to adenoma in this model will provide enough time for the investigation of pulmonary tumorigenesis.