Este protocolo fue inicialmente probado y optimizado en el laboratorio del Dr. Richard Hynes (MIT). El financiamiento es provisto por el premio IDEA NYSTEM (a LX) y Ruth L. Kirschstein Premio Nacional de Servicio de Investigación (para LX).

1. Preparación de la muestra <ol><li> Se cultivan las células confluentes a ~ 70% en sus medios de comunicación específicos con factores de crecimiento o FBS (por ejemplo, DMEM con FBS al 10% de MC-1 en las células). Aspirar los medios de comunicación de la placa y lavar suavemente varias veces con 1 x PBS (8 g / l de NaCl, 0,2 g / L de KCl, 1,15 g / L de Na 2 HPO 4 .7 H 2 O, 0,2 g / L de KH 2 PO 4, pH 7,3). </li><li> Aspirar PBS y añadir 2 ml de tripsina 0,05% en versene (0,014 g / L de rojo de fenol y 0,2 g / l de EDTA-Na en 1 x PBS, pH 7,2). Agite suavemente la placa para facilitar el desprendimiento de células de la placa. Observar las células bajo un microscopio. Por lo general tarda 2-5 minutos para que las células se despeguen. </li><li> Añadir un amplio volumen de los medios de comunicación que contiene FBS (o un inhibidor de tripsina de soja) para apagar la actividad de la tripsina y recoger las células en un tubo de 50 ml halcón. Recuento de células con un hemocitómetro. Carga 10μL de suspensión celular en un hemocitómetro limpio. El número de células por ml es igual a la media de # de células en cada una de las cinco plazas, multiplicado por 10 4. </li><li> Centrifugar las células a 1000 rpm (o ~ 200 xg) en una centrífuga de mesa durante 3 minutos. </li><li> Retire con cuidado los medios de comunicación sin perturbar el sedimento celular. Resuspender las células en un volumen adecuado de solución de Hanks equilibrada Buffer (HBSS) para llegar a una concentración final de ~ 5 x 10 6 células / ml. </li><li> Las células del filtro a través de un Falcon 70 m de células colador para excluir a los agregados de células grandes. Coloque la punta de la pipeta directamente sobre el filtro en un tubo de 5 ml etiquetados cultura Falcon. Rápida expulsión de la suspensión a través del filtro en el tubo de la cultura. </li><li> Contar las células de nuevo con un hemocitómetro y se diluye a una concentración final de 2,5 x 10 6 / ml. Mantener las células en hielo. </li><li> Determinar la viabilidad de las células. Mezclar un poco de las células con azul tripán y medir el porcentaje de muertos (azul), las células en el total de células con un hemocitómetro. La viabilidad de las células debe ser ≥ 90% antes de la inyección. </li></ol> 2. Inyección intravenosa <ol><li> Cambiar los guantes. Suavemente agarrar la cola de un ratón inmunodeficiente (desnudo, NOD-SCID, o sin garantía soberana, de laboratorio de Jackson) y tire de ella en la inmovilización del ratón, con la espalda contra la ranura y la cola que sobresale de la pequeña abertura en la parte posterior de la inmovilización . </li><li> Deslice lentamente el anillo hacia adentro a lo largo de la ranura y bloqueo en su lugar una vez que el anillo de las capturas de la boca del ratón. El ratón no debe ser capaz de moverse libremente, pero debe tener ritmo normal de respiración. </li><li> Encuentra las grandes venas de la cola. Cuatro principales vasos sanguíneos están presentes en una cola de ratón. Los vasos sanguíneos en los lados dorsal y ventral de la cola son las arterias. Las venas están en los lados laterales de la cola. </li><li> Atraer a más de 200 l de las células preparado en una jeringa de 1 ml. Coloque la aguja 30 G1 / 2 pulgadas y empuje las burbujas de aire que puedan existir. El volumen final de células en la jeringa debe ser de 200 l (es decir, 5 x 10 5 células en total). </li><li> Inyectar las células en la vena de la cola. <ol class="lalpha"><li> Empezar desde el extremo distal de la cola, así que si la primera prueba falla, una región más proximal de la cola podría ser utilizado para un segundo intento. </li><li> Limpiar la cola con un 70% de etanol. Tirar de la cola recta. Sostenga la punta de la cola con el pulgar y apoyar el punto de inyección con el dedo índice. </li><li> Insertar la aguja en la vena y se inyecta las células. Asegúrese de que la aguja y la jeringa son paralelas a la vena durante la inyección, de lo contrario la aguja se asoman a través de la pared del vaso e inyectar las células en los tejidos adyacentes cola. </li><li> Retire la aguja después de la inyección. La sangre debe abundante del lugar de inyección si la inyección se fue con éxito. Pulse una hoja limpia de papel toalla o paño de algodón en el sitio de la inyección para facilitar la coagulación, y palpar la cola hacia arriba para empujar cualquier muestra residual en la vena en circulación. </li><li> Suelte el ratón de la inmovilización y el retorno a la jaula. Registrar el proceso de inyección (por ejemplo, cuántas pruebas se llevaron a inyectar las células y la cantidad de células fueron inyectadas) en un cuaderno de prácticas. </li><li> Determinar la viabilidad de las células después de la inyección, como se describe en la Sección de Preparación de la muestra, el paso 9. Este paso ofrece la seguridad de que las células de mantenerse con vida durante todo el proceso de inyección. Al final de un experimento de inyección, la viabilidad de las células se reducirá, pero debe estar por encima del 80%. </li><li> (Opcional) Decantar las células sobrantes y aclarar las pastillas una vez con PBS. Congelar los pellets a -80 º C para análisis futuros (por ejemplo, transferencias Western para confirmar la expresión de genes o caídas). </li></ol></li><li> Normalmente, después de uno o dos meses, los ratones se diseca y la ubicación de las metástasis se determinan groseramente. De pulmón es el principal sitio de metástasis, ya que contiene el primer lecho capilar que encuentran las células después de queentrar en la circulación. </li><li> Después de lavar con PBS, cada lóbulo del pulmón (u otros tejidos que contienen metástasis) se observa bajo un microscopio de disección (Figura 1). El número de metástasis detectable en ambos lados de los pulmones se cuenta y el número de metástasis pulmonares en los cuatro lóbulos se suman como el número total de metástasis pulmonares. 1 metástasis pulmonares son más fáciles de detectar si los pulmones están fijadas en formol durante la noche , ya que las metástasis Entonces aparecerá como manchas blancas en contraste con los tejidos adyacentes de pulmón marrón oscuro. </li></ol> 3. El cultivo de células de metástasis pulmonares <ol><li> Las metástasis pulmonares son aislados de los ratones inyectados. Cada uno debe cultivar por separado. </li><li> Cada metástasis es picada por el final de una tapa de la aguja (estéril) en un filtro de 70 micras de células. </li><li> Enjuague el filtro celular con varios ml de medio y las células recogidas que pasan por el filtro en una placa de cultivo. </li><li> Se incuban las células a 37 ° C durante al menos cuatro días sin interrupción. </li><li> Lavar la sangre o restos de tejido en el plato con PBS. </li><li> Añadir un nuevo medio. En un principio, tanto las células cancerosas y las células de fibroblastos crecen en las placas, pero poco a poco, las células de fibroblastos se extinguirá y será reemplazado por las células cancerosas. Si las células de cáncer de llevar a cualquier genes resistentes a los medicamentos, seleccione las celdas con los antibióticos correspondientes. </li><li> La pureza de las células derivadas es evaluada por tinción con anticuerpos contra el virus de proteínas específicas. Utilizamos un anticuerpo anti-humano vimentina (VIM-NCL-V9, Novocastra). Las células que contienen por lo general deriva más del 99% de las células humanas, incluso en ausencia de la selección de medicamentos. Las nuevas células derivadas podrían ser inyectados de nuevo en ratones inmunodeficientes para poner a prueba sus habilidades metastásico, como se describió anteriormente. </li></ol> 4. Resultados representante <ol><li> Al final de este ensayo, una línea celular de cáncer altamente metastásico normalmente da lugar a metástasis pulmonares muchos (Figura 1), mientras que una metástasis pulmonares muy pocos provienen de una línea de cáncer de células poco metastásicas. </li><li> Las células derivadas usando este método suele dar lugar a metástasis más que la línea de los padres, cuando ellos se ponen a prueba una vez más utilizando este ensayo. 3.1 </li></ol><img src="/files/ftp_upload/1942/1942fig1.jpg" alt="Figura 1" /> Figura 1. Imágenes representativas de los pulmones del ratón después de las inyecciones vena de la cola de las células cancerosas. 5 x 10 5 de la metastásico línea celular humana de melanoma, las células de SM, 4 fueron inyectados en la vena de la cola de ratones inmunodeficientes. Dos meses más tarde, los pulmones fueron aislados y las metástasis se encuentran dispersos entre el tejido pulmonar normal.

<ol>
	<li>Xu, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+expression+changes+in+an+animal+melanoma+model+correlate+with+aggressiveness+of+human+melanoma+metastases.">Gene expression changes in an animal melanoma model correlate with aggressiveness of human melanoma metastases.</a> Mol Cancer Res. 6 (5), 760-760 (2008).</li><li>Clark, E. A., Golub, T. R., Lander, E. S., Hynes, R. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genomic+analysis+of+metastasis+reveals+an+essential+role+for+RhoC.">Genomic analysis of metastasis reveals an essential role for RhoC.</a> Nature. 406 (6795), 532-532 (2000).</li><li>Xu, L., Begum, S., Hearn, J. D., Hynes, R. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GPR56,+an+atypical+G+protein-coupled+receptor,+binds+tissue+transglutaminase,+TG2,+and+inhibits+melanoma+tumor+growth+and+metastasis.">GPR56, an atypical G protein-coupled receptor, binds tissue transglutaminase, TG2, and inhibits melanoma tumor growth and metastasis.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 103 (24), 9023-9023 (2006).</li><li>Kozlowski, J. M., Hart, I. R., Fidler, I. J., Hanna, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+human+melanoma+line+heterogeneous+with+respect+to+metastatic+capacity+in+athymic+nude+mice.">A human melanoma line heterogeneous with respect to metastatic capacity in athymic nude mice.</a> J Natl Cancer Inst. 72 (4), 913-913 (1984).</li><li>Kang, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+multigenic+program+mediating+breast+cancer+metastasis+to+bone.">A multigenic program mediating breast cancer metastasis to bone.</a> Cancer Cell. 3 (6), 537-537 (2003).</li></ol>

La metástasis es la causa principal de muerte en pacientes con cáncer. Se trata de cuatro pasos principales: el desprendimiento de las células cancerosas de sus lugares principales, su entrada en circulación (intravasation), su salida de la circulación (extravasación), y la supervivencia y el crecimiento en un órgano distante. Metástasis en humanos se considera un proceso lento y muchas veces se manifiesta después de varios años de latencia. Para el estudio de su progresión en el momento oportuno, el ensayo a...

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		<th>Comment</th>
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<td>DMEM</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>10313-021</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>FBS</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Hyclone</td>
<td>SH30088.03</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>HBSS</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>14175-095</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>NaCl</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
<td>S9888</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>KCl</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Mallinckrodt Chemicals</td>
<td>6838-04</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Na2 HPO4.7H2O</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Mallinckrodt Chemicals</td>
<td>7896-04</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Mallinckrodt Chemicals</td>
<td>7100-12</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Phenol red</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
<td>P3532</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>EDTA-Na</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>EMD Biosciences</td>
<td>4010</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Trypan Blue</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>15250-061</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Trypsin 2.5%</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>15090-046</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Ethanol</td>
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<td>Ultrapure</td>
<td>200-CSGP</td>
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<td>50 ml Falcon Tube</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>89039-656</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Axygen Scientific</td>
<td>MCT-175-C</td>
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<td>BD Biosciences</td>
<td>352350</td>
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<td>5ml Falcon Culture Tube</td>
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<td>VWR</td>
<td>60818-576</td>
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<td>Hausser Scientific</td>
<td>15170-208</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>1 ml syringe</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>BD Biosciences</td>
<td>329650</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>30 &frac12; gauge needle</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>BD Biosciences</td>
<td>305106</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Mouse restrainer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Plas Labs Inc.</td>
<td>551-BSRR</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Surgical scissors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>08-940</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Forceps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>08-902</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Dissecting Microscope</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Nikon</td>
<td>SMZ1500</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Benchtop Centrifuge</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thermoscientific</td>
<td>75003491</td>
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experimental metastasis assay

La metástasis es la causa principal de muerte en pacientes con cáncer. Para entender el mecanismo de la metástasis, un ensayo de metástasis experimental se estableció el uso de ratones inmunodeficientes. Este artículo delinea los procedimientos involucrados en este ensayo, incluyendo la preparación de muestras, la inyección intravenosa, y el cultivo de células de metástasis pulmonares. En pocas palabras, un número determinado de células de cáncer humano se prepararon<em&gt; In vitro</em&gt; Y se inyecta directamente en la circulación de ratones inmunodeficientes por las venas de la cola. Un pequeño número de células sobrevivir a la turbulencia en la circulación y crecen como las metástasis en los órganos internos, como el pulmón. Los ratones inyectados se diseccionan después de un período determinado. La distribución en los tejidos de las metástasis se determina bajo un microscopio de disección. El número de metástasis en un tejido específico se cuenta y se correlaciona directamente con la capacidad metastásica de las células cancerosas inyectadas. La metástasis surgido son aisladas y cultivadas<em&gt; In vitro</em&gt; Como líneas celulares, que a menudo muestran una mayor capacidad metastásica de la línea de los padres cuando se inyecta de nuevo en ratones inmunodeficientes. Estos derivados altamente metastásico convertirse en herramientas útiles para la identificación de genes o de las vías moleculares que regulan la progresión metastásica.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Experimental Metastasis Assay at JoVE.com

Experimental Metastasis Assay

En este artículo se describen los procedimientos de ensayo de metástasis experimental que se utiliza para determinar el potencial metastásico de líneas celulares de cáncer humano.

Ensayo experimental de metástasis

Metastasis is the leading cause of death in cancer patients.  To understand the mechanism of metastasis, an experimental metastasis assay was established ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

20.2K vistas.  University of Rochester Medical Center. En este artículo se describen los procedimientos de ensayo de metástasis experimental que se utiliza para determinar el potencial metastásico de líneas celulares de cáncer humano.

Video: Experimental Metastasis Assay

In vitro Mesothelial Clearance Assay that Models the Early Steps of Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States1. Despite a positive initial response to therapies, 70 to 90 percent of women with ovarian cancer develop new metastases, and the recurrence is often fatal2. It is, therefore, necessary to understand how secondary metastases arise in order to develop better treatments for intermediate and late stage ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer metastasis occurs when malignant cells detach from the primary tumor site and disseminate throughout the peritoneal cavity. The disseminated cells can form multicellular clusters, or spheroids, that will either remain unattached, or implant onto organs within the peritoneal cavity3 (Figure 1, Movie 1). 
All of the organs within the peritoneal cavity are lined with a single, continuous, layer of mesothelial cells4-6 (Figure 2). However, mesothelial cells are absent from underneath peritoneal tumor masses, as revealed by electron micrograph studies of excised human tumor tissue sections3,5-7 (Figure 2). This suggests that mesothelial cells are excluded from underneath the tumor mass by an unknown process. 
Previous in vitro experiments demonstrated that primary ovarian cancer cells attach more efficiently to extracellular matrix than to mesothelial cells8, and more recent studies showed that primary peritoneal mesothelial cells actually provide a barrier to ovarian cancer cell adhesion and invasion (as compared to adhesion and invasion on substrates that were not covered with mesothelial cells)9,10. This would suggest that mesothelial cells act as a barrier against ovarian cancer metastasis. The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which ovarian cancer cells breach this barrier, and exclude the mesothelium have, until recently, remained unknown. 
Here we describe the methodology for an in vitro assay that models the interaction between ovarian cancer cell spheroids and mesothelial cells in vivo (Figure 3, Movie 2). Our protocol was adapted from previously described methods for analyzing ovarian tumor cell interactions with mesothelial monolayers8-16, and was first described in a report showing that ovarian tumor cells utilize an integrin &#x2013;dependent activation of myosin and traction force to promote the exclusion of the mesothelial cells from under a tumor spheroid17. This model takes advantage of time-lapse fluorescence microscopy to monitor the two cell populations in real time, providing spatial and temporal information on the interaction. The ovarian cancer cells express red fluorescent protein (RFP) while the mesothelial cells express green fluorescent protein (GFP). RFP-expressing ovarian cancer cell spheroids attach to the GFP-expressing mesothelial monolayer. The spheroids spread, invade, and force the mesothelial cells aside creating a hole in the monolayer. This hole is visualized as the negative space (black) in the GFP image. The area of the hole can then be measured to quantitatively analyze differences in clearance activity between control and experimental populations of ovarian cancer and/ or mesothelial cells. This assay requires only a small number of ovarian cancer cells (100 cells per spheroid X 20-30 spheroids per condition), so it is feasible to perform this assay using precious primary tumor cell samples. Furthermore, this assay can be easily adapted for high throughput screening.

In vitro Mesothelial Clearance Assay that Models the Early Steps of Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

The mesothelial clearance assay described here takes advantage of fluorescently labeled cells and time-lapse video microscopy to visualize and quantitatively measure the interactions of ovarian cancer multicellular spheroids and mesothelial cell monolayers. This assay models the early steps of ovarian cancer metastasis.

Ensayo in vitro Liquidación mesoteliales que modela los pasos iniciales de la metástasis del cáncer ovárico

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States1. Despite a positive initial response to therapies, 70 to 90 ...

Investigación

Medicina

Models of Bone Metastasis

Bone metastases are a common occurrence in several malignancies, including breast, prostate, and lung. Once established in bone, tumors are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality1. Thus, there is a significant need to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling the establishment, growth and activity of tumors in bone. Several in vivo models have been established to study these events and each has specific benefits and limitations. The most commonly used model utilizes intracardiac inoculation of tumor cells directly into the arterial blood supply of athymic (nude) BalbC mice. This procedure can be applied to many different tumor types (including PC-3 prostate cancer, lung carcinoma, and mouse mammary fat pad tumors); however, in this manuscript we will focus on the breast cancer model, MDA-MB-231. In this model we utilize a highly bone-selective clone, originally derived in Dr. Mundy's group in San Antonio2, that has since been transfected for GFP expression and re-cloned by our group3. This clone is a bone metastatic variant with a high rate of osteotropism and very little metastasis to lung, liver, or adrenal glands. While intracardiac injections are most commonly used for studies of bone metastasis2, in certain instances intratibial4 or mammary fat pad injections are more appropriate. Intracardiac injections are typically performed when using human tumor cells with the goal of monitoring later stages of metastasis, specifically the ability of cancer cells to arrest in bone, survive, proliferate, and establish tumors that develop into cancer-induced bone disease. Intratibial injections are performed if focusing on the relationship of cancer cells and bone after a tumor has metastasized to bone, which correlates roughly to established metastatic bone disease. Neither of these models recapitulates early steps in the metastatic process prior to embolism and entry of tumor cells into the circulation. If monitoring primary tumor growth or metastasis from the primary site to bone, then mammary fat pad inoculations are usually preferred; however, very few tumor cell lines will consistently metastasize to bone from the primary site, with 4T1 bone-preferential clones, a mouse mammary carcinoma, being the exception 5,6.
This manuscript details inoculation procedures and highlights key steps in post inoculation analyses. Specifically, it includes cell culture, tumor cell inoculation procedures for intracardiac and intratibial inoculations, as well as brief information regarding weekly monitoring by x-ray, fluorescence and histomorphometric analyses.

Animal models are frequently utilized to study cancer metastasis to bone. In this protocol we will describe two common methods of tumor inoculation for bone metastasis studies and briefly describe some of the analyses utilized to monitor and quantify these models.

Los modelos de metástasis en los huesos

Bone metastases are a common occurrence in several malignancies, including breast, prostate, and lung. Once established in bone, tumors are responsible ...

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Experimental human pneumococcal carriage (EHPC) is scientifically important because nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae is both the major source of transmission and the prerequisite of invasive disease. A model of carriage will allow accurate determination of the immunological correlates of protection, the immunizing effect of carriage and the effect of host pressure on the pathogen in the nasopharyngeal niche. Further, methods of carriage detection useful in epidemiologic studies, including vaccine studies, can be compared.
Aim
We aim to develop an EHPC platform that is a safe and useful reproducible method that could be used to down-select candidate novel pneumococcal vaccines with prevention of carriage as a surrogate of vaccine induced immunity. It will work towards testing of candidate vaccines and descriptions of the mechanisms underlying EHPC and vaccine protection from carriage1. Current conjugate vaccines against pneumococcus protect children from invasive disease although new vaccines are urgently needed as the current vaccine does not confer optimal protection against non-bacteraemic pneumonia and there has been evidence of serotype replacement with non-vaccine serotypes2-4.
Method
We inoculate with S. pneumoniae suspended in 100 &mu;l of saline. Safety is a major factor in the development of the EHPC model and is achieved through intensive volunteer screening and monitoring. A safety committee consisting of clinicians and scientists that are independent from the study provides objective feedback on a weekly basis.
The bacterial inoculum is standardized and requires that no animal products are inoculated into volunteers (vegetable-based media and saline). The doses required for colonization (104-105) are much lower than those used in animal models (107)5. Detecting pneumococcal carriage is enhanced by a high volume (ideally &gt;10 ml) nasal wash that is relatively mucus free. This protocol will deal with the most important parts of the protocol in turn. These are (a) volunteer selection, (b) pneumococcal inoculum preparation, (c) inoculation, (d) follow-up and (e) carriage detection.
Results
Our current protocol has been safe in over 100 volunteers at a range of doses using two different bacterial serotypes6. A dose ranging study using S. pneumoniae 6B and 23F is currently being conducted to determine the optimal inoculation dose for 50% carriage. A predicted 50% rate of carriage will allow the EHPC model to have high sensitivity for vaccine efficacy with small study numbers.

Experimental human pneumococcal carriage offers a natural model of carriage and a potential model for use in vaccine development. This technique is valuable yet complex and involves clinical risk by introducing a pathogen into a human. We have developed a detailed protocol.

Carriage Experimental neumocócica Humanos

Experimental human pneumococcal carriage (EHPC) is scientifically important because nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae is both the major ...

The In ovo CAM-assay as a Xenograft Model for Sarcoma

Sarcoma is a very rare disease that is heterogeneous in nature, all hampering the development of new therapies. Sarcoma patients are ideal candidates for personalized medicine after stratification, explaining the current interest in developing a reproducible and low-cost xenotransplant model for this disease. The chick chorioallantoic membrane is a natural immunodeficient host capable of sustaining grafted tissues and cells without species-specific restrictions. In addition, it is easily accessed, manipulated and imaged using optical and fluorescence stereomicroscopy. Histology further allows detailed analysis of heterotypic cellular interactions.
This protocol describes in detail the in ovo grafting of the chorioallantoic membrane with fresh sarcoma-derived tumor tissues, their single cell suspensions, and permanent and transient fluorescently labeled established sarcoma cell lines (Saos-2 and SW1353). The chick survival rates are up to 75%. The model is used to study graft- (viability, Ki67 proliferation index, necrosis, infiltration) and host (fibroblast infiltration, vascular ingrowth) behavior. For localized grafting of single cell suspensions, ECM gel provides significant advantages over inert containment materials. The Ki67 proliferation index is related to the distance of the cells from the surface of the CAM and the duration of application on the CAM, the latter determining a time frame for the addition of therapeutic products.

The In ovo CAM-assay as a Xenograft Model for Sarcoma

The in ovo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is grafted with fresh sarcoma-derived tumor tissues, their single cell suspensions, and permanent and transient fluorescently labeled established sarcoma cell lines. The model is used to study graft- (viability, Ki67 proliferation index, necrosis, infiltration) and host (fibroblast infiltration, vascular ingrowth) behavior.

La<em&gt; En ovo</em&gt; CAM-ensayo como un Xenograftmodel para el sarcoma

Sarcoma is a very rare disease that is heterogeneous in nature, all hampering the development of new therapies. Sarcoma patients are ideal candidates for ...

An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis

Our laboratory has developed a novel orthotopic implantation model of human prostate cancer (PCa). As PCa death is not due to the primary tumor, but rather the formation of distinct metastasis, the ability to effectively model this progression pre-clinically is of high value. In this model, cells are directly implanted into the ventral lobe of the prostate in Balb/c athymic mice, and allowed to progress for 4-6 weeks. At experiment termination, several distinct endpoints can be measured, such as size and molecular characterization of the primary tumor, the presence and quantification of circulating tumor cells in the blood and bone marrow, and formation of metastasis to the lung. In addition to a variety of endpoints, this model provides a picture of a cells ability to invade and escape the primary organ, enter and survive in the circulatory system, and implant and grow in a secondary site. This model has been used effectively to measure metastatic response to both changes in protein expression as well as to response to small molecule therapeutics, in a short turnaround time.

This orthotopic model of human prostate cancer allows for quantification of tumor size, circulating tumor cells, and formation of distinct metastasis to the lung. As cells must escape the primary organ, enter the blood stream, and implant into a secondary site, this model effectively recapitulates the scenario in humans.

Un modelo murino de cáncer de próstata humano Metástasis ortotópico

Our laboratory has developed a novel orthotopic implantation model of  human prostate cancer (PCa). As PCa death is not due to the primary tumor, but  ...

Primary Tumor and MEF Cell Isolation to Study Lung Metastasis

In breast tumorigenesis, the metastatic stage of the disease poses the greatest threat to the affected individual. Normal breast cells with altered genotypes now possess the ability to invade and survive in other tissues. In this protocol, mouse mammary tumors are removed and primary cells are prepared from tumors. The cells isolated from this procedure are then available for gene profiling experiments. For successful metastasis, these cells must be able to intravasate, survive in circulation, extravasate to distant organs, and survive in that new organ system. The lungs are the typical target of breast cancer metastasis. A set of genes have been discovered that mediates the selectivity of metastasis to the lung. Here we describe a method of studying lung metastasis from a genetically engineered mouse model.. Furthermore, another protocol for analyzing mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from the mouse embryo is included. MEF cells from the same animal type provide a clue of non-cancer cell gene expression. Together, these techniques are useful in studying mouse mammary tumorigenesis, its associated signaling mechanisms and pathways of the abnormalities in embryos.

The goal of this protocol is to study breast tumorigenesis. With this technique, mouse mammary tumors are removed and primary cells are prepared from tumors. A lung extraction protocol is included for studying lung metastasis. Furthermore, another protocol for analyzing mouse embryonic fibroblasts from the mouse embryo is included.

Tumor primario y aislamiento de células MEF para el Estudio de pulmón metástasis

In breast tumorigenesis, the metastatic stage of the disease poses the greatest threat to the affected individual. Normal breast cells with altered ...

Chick Heart Invasion Assay for Testing the Invasiveness of Cancer Cells and the Activity of Potentially Anti-invasive Compounds

The goal of the chick heart assay is to offer a relevant organ culture method to study tumor invasion in three dimensions. The assay can distinguish between invasive and non-invasive cells, and enables study of the effects of test compounds on tumor invasion. Cancer cells - either as aggregates or single cells - are confronted with fragments of embryonic chick heart. After organ culture in suspension for a few days or weeks the confronting cultures are fixed and embedded in paraffin for histological analysis. The three-dimensional interaction between the cancer cells and the normal tissue is then reconstructed from serial sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin or after immunohistochemical staining for epitopes in the heart tissue or the confronting cancer cells. The assay is consistent with the recent concept that cancer invasion is the result of molecular interactions between the cancer cells and their neighbouring stromal host elements (myofibroblasts, endothelial cells, extracellular matrix components, etc.). Here, this stromal environment is offered to the cancer cells as a living tissue fragment. Supporting aspects to the relevance of the assay are multiple. Invasion in the assay is in accordance with the criteria of cancer invasion: progressive occupation and replacement in time and space of the host tissue, and invasiveness and non-invasiveness in vivo of the confronting cells generally correlates with the outcome of the assay. Furthermore, the invasion pattern of cells in vivo, as defined by pathologists, is reflected in the histological images in the assay. Quantitative structure-activity relation (QSAR) analysis of the results obtained with numerous potentially anti-invasive organic congener compounds allowed the study of structure-activity relations for flavonoids and chalcones, and known anti-metastatic drugs used in the clinic (e.g., microtubule inhibitors) inhibit invasion in the assay as well. However, the assay does not take into account immunological contributions to cancer invasion.

Here, we present a protocol to study the invasion of tumor cells into living normal tissue fragments in three dimensions. This organ culture technique is mainly applied to test potentially anti-invasive drugs in vitro.

Ensayo Invasión polluelo corazón para probar la invasividad de las células del cáncer y de la actividad de los compuestos potencialmente anti-invasivos

The goal of the chick heart assay is to offer a relevant organ culture method to study tumor invasion in three dimensions. The assay can distinguish ...

A "Patient-Like" Orthotopic Syngeneic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis

The majority of cancer-related deaths are caused by the metastasis of the cancer rather than the primary tumor itself. Yet, the underlying mechanisms of cancer metastasis are still unclear. Animal models are essential for elucidating the mechanisms and for evaluating novel strategies for the treatment of metastatic cancers. Here, an in-depth description of a &#8220;patient-like&#8221; orthotopic syngeneic mouse model for exploring the mechanisms of metastasis of solid organ tumors is provided. The survival surgical implantation of BNL 1ME A.7R.1 mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells directly into the liver (the organ of origin) of the inbred wild-type immune competent laboratory mouse strain, BALB/c is described. The success and reproducibility of this methodology recommends it for widespread use in elucidating the biological mechanisms of solid organ cancer metastasis.

The metastatic spread of cancer is the major cause of cancer-related deaths. We provide an in-depth description of our survival surgery methodology for establishing a &#8220;patient-like&#8221; orthotopic syngeneic mouse model system for studying the mechanisms of metastasis in solid organ tumors.

Un &quot;paciente-Like&quot; ortotópico Singénico modelo de ratón de carcinoma hepatocelular Metástasis

The majority of cancer-related deaths are caused by the metastasis of the cancer rather than the primary tumor itself. Yet, the underlying mechanisms of ...

Quantitation of Intra-peritoneal Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancy in the United States. Mortality is due to diagnosis of 75% of women with late stage disease, when metastasis is already present. EOC is characterized by diffuse and widely disseminated intra-peritoneal metastasis. Cells shed from the primary tumor anchor in the mesothelium that lines the peritoneal cavity as well as in the omentum, resulting in multi-focal metastasis, often in the presence of peritoneal ascites. Efforts in our laboratory are directed at a more detailed understanding of factors that regulate EOC metastatic success. However, quantifying metastatic tumor burden represents a significant technical challenge due to the large number, small size and broad distribution of lesions throughout the peritoneum. Herein we describe a method for analysis of EOC metastasis using cells labeled with red fluorescent protein (RFP) coupled with in vivo multispectral imaging. Following intra-peritoneal injection of RFP-labelled tumor cells, mice are imaged weekly until time of sacrifice. At this time, the peritoneal cavity is surgically exposed and organs are imaged in situ. Dissected organs are then placed on a labeled transparent template and imaged ex vivo. Removal of tissue auto-fluorescence during image processing using multispectral unmixing enables accurate quantitation of relative tumor burden. This method has utility in a variety of applications including therapeutic studies to evaluate compounds that may inhibit metastasis and thereby improve overall survival.

Ovarian cancer metastasis is characterized by numerous diffuse intra-peritoneal lesions, such that accurate visual quantitation of tumor burden is challenging. Herein we describe a method for in situ and ex vivo quantitation of metastatic tumor burden using red fluorescent protein (RFP)-labeled tumor cells and optical imaging.

La cuantificación de la intra-peritoneal del cáncer ovárico Metástasis

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancy in the United States.  Mortality is due to diagnosis of 75% of ...

Evaluation of Lung Metastasis in Mouse Mammary Tumor Models by Quantitative Real-time PCR

Metastatic disease is the spread of malignant tumor cells from the primary cancer site to a distant organ and is the primary cause of cancer associated death 1. Common sites of metastatic spread include lung, lymph node, brain, and bone 2. Mechanisms that drive metastasis are intense areas of cancer research. Consequently, effective assays to measure metastatic burden in distant sites of metastasis are instrumental for cancer research. Evaluation of lung metastases in mammary tumor models is generally performed by gross qualitative observation of lung tissue following dissection. Quantitative methods of evaluating metastasis are currently limited to ex vivo and in vivo imaging based techniques that require user defined parameters. Many of these techniques are at the whole organism level rather than the cellular level 3-6. Although newer imaging methods utilizing multi-photon microscopy are able to evaluate metastasis at the cellular level 7, these highly elegant procedures are more suited to evaluating mechanisms of dissemination rather than quantitative assessment of metastatic burden. Here, a simple in vitro method to quantitatively assess metastasis is presented. Using quantitative Real-time PCR (QRT-PCR), tumor cell specific mRNA can be detected within the mouse lung tissue.

This protocol describes how to use quantitative Real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) to detect tumor cell specific mRNA representing metastasis within the mouse lung tissue.

Evaluación de pulmón metástasis en el ratón mamarias modelos tumorales mediante PCR cuantitativa en tiempo real

Metastatic disease is the spread of malignant tumor cells from the primary cancer site to a distant organ and is the primary cause of cancer associated ...