Gene expression analysis of desmoid tumors in desmoid mouse model

Desmoid tumors are known as locally invasive fibromatoses associated with mutations in beta-catenin (CTNNB1). Desmoid tumors do not metastasize, but the high recurrence rate after surgical resection requires the identification of therapeutic target molecules or signaling pathways. In this project, we developed a novel genetically-engineered mouse model of desmoid tumors by expressing a constitutively active form of beta-catenin in fibroblasts. To verify the role of the TGF-beta pathway in desmoid formation, we also introduced Smad4 knockout (KO) into our model. In this project, we performed RNA-seq to examine gene expression in desmoid tumors developed in Smad4-wild-type and knockout mouse models.