By misdirecting the activity of Activation-Induced Deaminase (AID) to a conditional MYC transgene, we have achieved sporadic, AID-dependent MYC activation in germinal center B cells of Vk∗MYC mice. Whereas control C57BL/6 mice develop benign monoclonal gammopathy with age, all Vk∗MYC mice progress to an indolent multiple myeloma associated with the biological and clinical features highly characteristic of the human disease. Furthermore, antigen-dependent myeloma could be induced by immunization with a T-dependent antigen. Consistent with these findings in mice, more frequent MYC rearrangements, elevated levels of MYC mRNA, and MYC target genes distinguish human patients with multiple myeloma from individuals with monoclonal gammopathy, implicating a causal role for MYC in the progression of monoclonal gammopathy to multiple myeloma.
Present address: Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute-MSKCC, Zuckerman Research Center Building, 415 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
