Hemizygosity of Nf2 is associated with increased susceptibility to asbestos-induced peritoneal tumours

Biallelic NF2 gene inactivation is frequently found in human malignant mesothelioma. In order to assess whether NF2 hemizygosity may enhance susceptibility to asbestos fibres, we investigated the Nf2 status in mesothelioma developed in mice presenting a heterozygous mutation of the Nf2 gene ( Nf2 KO3/+ ), after intraperitoneal inoculation of crocidolite fibres. Asbestos-exposed Nf2 KO3/+ mice developed tumoural ascites and mesothelioma at a higher frequency than their wild-type (WT) counterparts ( P