This work was supported by Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Italian Ministry of University and Research, Prin projects and Progetti di Ricerca di Ateneo, grant N&#176; CPDA137871, Fondazione Cariplo, grant N&#176; 2011-0485 to MdB, and by Finanziamento Giovani Studiosi, University of Padua, to Gaia Codolo.

All the procedures for animal handling have been approved by the Italian Ministry of Health (D.M. 204/2011-B).
1. Animals
<ol>
	<li>Grow&#8203; C57BL6/J female mice to 8 weeks of age in individually ventilated cages with microisolation filters. 
	Note: Females are preferred because the anatomic conformation of their external uro-genital apparatus renders the catheterization easier than in males.</li>
</ol>
2. Cell Culture
<ol>
	<li>Maintain the mouse urothelial...

<ol>
	<li>Siegel, R., Ma, J., Zou, Z., Cancerstatistics Jemal, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> CA Cancer J Clin. 64, 9-29 (2014).</li><li>Saint, F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prognostic+value+of+a+T+helper+1+urinary+cytokine+response+after+intravesical+bacillus+Calmette-Guerin+treatment+for+superficial+bladder+cancer.">Prognostic value of a T helper 1 urinary cytokine response after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment for superficial bladder cancer.</a> J Urol. 167, 364-367 (2002).</li><li>Shahin, O., Thalmann, G. N., Rentsch, C., Mazzucchelli, L., Studer, U. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+retrospective+analysis+of+153+patients+treated+with+or+without+intravesical+bacillus+Calmette-Guerin+for+primary+stage+T1+grade+3+bladder+cancer:+recurrence,+progression+and+survival.">A retrospective analysis of 153 patients treated with or without intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin for primary stage T1 grade 3 bladder cancer: recurrence, progression and survival.</a> J Urol. 169, 96-100 (2003).</li><li>Lamm, D. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Complications+of+bacillus+Calmette-Guerin+immunotherapy.">Complications of bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy.</a> Urol Clin North Am. 19, 565-572 (1992).</li><li>De Jager, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-term+complete+remission+in+bladder+carcinoma+in+situ+with+intravesical+TICE+bacillus+Calmette+Guerin.+Overview+analysis+of+six+phase+II+clinical+trials.">Long-term complete remission in bladder carcinoma in situ with intravesical TICE bacillus Calmette Guerin. Overview analysis of six phase II clinical trials.</a> Urology. 38, 507-513 (1991).</li><li>Dovedi, S. J., Davies, B. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Emerging+targeted+therapies+for+bladder+cancer:+a+disease+waiting+for+a+drug.">Emerging targeted therapies for bladder cancer: a disease waiting for a drug.</a> Cancer Metastasis Rev. 28, 355-367 (2009).</li><li>Evans, D. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+a+Helicobacter+pylori+neutrophil-activating+protein.">Characterization of a Helicobacter pylori neutrophil-activating protein.</a> Infect Immun. 63, 2213-2220 (1995).</li><li>Grant, R. A., Filman, D. J., Finkel, S. E., Kolter, R., Hogle, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+crystal+structure+of+Dps,+a+ferritin+homolog+that+binds+and+protects+DNA.">The crystal structure of Dps, a ferritin homolog that binds and protects DNA.</a> Nat Struct Biol. 5, 294-303 (1998).</li><li>Amedei, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+neutrophil-activating+protein+of+Helicobacter+pylori+promotes+Th1+immune+responses.">The neutrophil-activating protein of Helicobacter pylori promotes Th1 immune responses.</a> J Clin Invest. 116, 1092-1101 (2006).</li><li>Bernard, M., D'Elios, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+immune+modulating+activity+of+the+Helicobacter+pylori+HP-NAP:+Friend+or+foe.">The immune modulating activity of the Helicobacter pylori HP-NAP: Friend or foe.</a> Toxicon. 56, 1186-1192 (2010).</li><li>Codolo, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+neutrophil-activating+protein+of+Helicobacter+pylori+down-modulates+Th2+inflammation+in+ovalbumin-induced+allergic+asthma.">The neutrophil-activating protein of Helicobacter pylori down-modulates Th2 inflammation in ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma.</a> Cell Microbiol. 10, 2355-2363 (2008).</li><li>Gunther, J. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Optimizing+syngeneic+orthotopic+murine+bladder+cancer+(MB49).">Optimizing syngeneic orthotopic murine bladder cancer (MB49).</a> Cancer Res. 59, 2834-2837 (1999).</li><li>Codolo, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HP-NAP+inhibits+the+growth+of+bladder+cancer+in+mice+by+activating+a+cytotoxic+Th1+response.">HP-NAP inhibits the growth of bladder cancer in mice by activating a cytotoxic Th1 response.</a> Cancer Immunol Immunother. 61, 31-40 (2012).</li><li>Chan, E., Patel, A., Heston, W., Larchian, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mouse+orthotopic+models+for+bladder+cancer+research.">Mouse orthotopic models for bladder cancer research.</a> BJU Int. 104, 1286-1291 (2009).</li><li>Kubota, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Metastatic+models+of+human+cancer+xenografted+in+the+nude+mouse:+the+importance+of+orthotopic+transplantation.">Metastatic models of human cancer xenografted in the nude mouse: the importance of orthotopic transplantation.</a> J Cell Biochem. 56, 4-8 (1994).</li><li>Loi, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+use+of+the+orthotopic+model+to+validate+antivascular+therapies+for+cancer.">The use of the orthotopic model to validate antivascular therapies for cancer.</a> Int J Dev Biol. 55, 547-555 (2011).</li><li>Miyazaki, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preconditioning+methods+influence+tumor+property+in+an+orthotopic+bladder+urothelial+carcinoma+rat+model.">Preconditioning methods influence tumor property in an orthotopic bladder urothelial carcinoma rat model.</a> Mol Clin Oncol. 2, 65-70 (2014).</li><li>Horiguchi, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Establishment+of+orthotopic+mouse+superficial+bladder+tumor+model+for+studies+on+intravesical+treatments.">Establishment of orthotopic mouse superficial bladder tumor model for studies on intravesical treatments.</a> Hum Cell. 21, 57-63 (2008).</li></ol>

The majority of advances in cancer therapy require tests in animal models before starting clinical trials. The possibility of studying tumour biology in vivo, taking advantage of animal models, represents a crucial tool for researchers investigating cancer pathogenesis, enabling the assessment of different therapeutic approaches. Orthotopic models remain the gold standard14-15, both because of the huge amount of cell lines available to set up a tumour model and because they mimic the environment of th...

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers of the urogenital tract, with nearly 75,000 new cases every year in the USA1. High rates of recurrence require lifelong follow-up, which makes bladder cancer one of the costliest cancers to treat. The gold standard treatment for the high-grade NMIBC is trans-urethral resection, followed by intravesical immunotherapy with BCG. Although the precise mechanism of the anti-tumour activity of BCG remains to be fully elucidated, it is accepted that the activation of a cell-mediated immune response enriched in T helper (Th)1 and cytotoxic T (Tc)1 cells is crucial for the success of the therapy2.
Despite the fact that BCG remains the treatment of choice for NMIBC, a high proportion of patients do not respond to the therapy; moreover, it can cause a number of side effects: about 70% of treated tumours recur after some time and ~15% progress to the muscle-invasive form of the disease. Other side effects associated with BCG treatment include dysuria, cystitis and kidney infection3-6.
The development of novel therapeutic strategies must take into consideration the use of preclinical models, following initial in vitro assessment; this is particularly relevant in tumours whose microenvironment can significantly influence their development and responsiveness to treatment.
Over the last decade, we have addressed multiple aspects of the immune modulating activity of HP-NAP, a protein produced by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, initially identified as capable of promoting endothelial adhesion of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs)7. Structurally, HP-NAP belongs to the DNA-protecting protein under starved conditions (Dps) family8 and consists of 12 identical subunits arranged in a dodecameric shell.
We have demonstrated that HP-NAP is a Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 agonist, with a strong immuno-modulating activity responsible for driving the differentiation of T lymphocytes towards the Th1 phenotype, both in vitro and in vivo9-10. In virtue of this activity, HP-NAP is able to redirect the Th2 immune response into the more beneficial Th1 response in a murine model of allergic asthma11.
To evaluate the Th1-dependent anti-tumour potential of HP-NAP, we took advantage of a mouse model of bladder cancer developed several years ago by O&#8217;Donnel and colleagues12 for evaluating the impact of the BCG administration.
With this protocol, we demonstrate that HP-NAP has a strong anti-tumour potential against bladder cancer and that the efficacy of HP-NAP administration parallels the significant accumulation, within tumour and regional lymph nodes, of both Th1 and Tc1 lymphocytes producing Interferon (IFN)-&#947;13. Tumours isolated from HP-NAP-treated mice showed more necrosis and less vascularization than the untreated counterpart.
The present report provides a stepbystep protocol, detailing the preparation of the animals, their urethral catheterization, the chemical burning required for the attachment of cells to the bladder mucosa, and the injection of the tumour cells. We also describe the topical administration of HP-NAP that can be considered as a prototype of any therapeutic agents developed for the treatment of bladder cancer. The evidence obtained by comparing tumours isolated from control and HP-NAP-treated animals emphasizes not only the fact that HP-NAP could be a good candidate for bladder cancer immunotherapy, but also the general effectiveness of the experimental set up.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Materials</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C57BL/6J female mice</td>
			<td>Harlan Italy (Udine, Italy)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MB49 Cells</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Obtained from Prof. O&#39;Donnel, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa, USA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RPMI</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Missouri, USA)</td>
			<td>R8758</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>F7524</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D1408</td>
			<td>10X, to be diluted in apyrogenic water</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flask</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson (Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, USA)</td>
			<td>353135</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe 1ml</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>301358</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin</td>
			<td>Life Technologies (Waltham, Massachusetts, USA)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentamycin</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15710-049</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Xilor</td>
			<td>Bio 98 s.r.l. (Milano, Italy)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>2% Xylazin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Zoletil</td>
			<td>Virbac (Carros, France)</td>
			<td>359713301992</td>
			<td>5% Zolazepam + 5% Tiletamine</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24G Catheter</td>
			<td>Terumo (Rome, Italy)</td>
			<td>SR+DM2419PX</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HCl</td>
			<td>Carlo Erba Reagents (Milano, Italy)</td>
			<td>403871</td>
			<td>Liquid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaOH</td>
			<td>JT Baker (Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA)</td>
			<td>10095011</td>
			<td>Powder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical Scalpel</td>
			<td>Albion Surgical Limited (Sheffield, England)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microtome</td>
			<td>Leica Microsystem ( Wetzlar, Germany)</td>
			<td>RM2235</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope Slides</td>
			<td>VWR International (Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA)</td>
			<td>631-0108</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Image Analyzer</td>
			<td>Zeiss (Jena, Germany)</td>
			<td>Cyres System</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Materials C57BL/6J female mice Harlan Italy (Udine, Italy) MB49 Cells Obtained from Prof. O&#39;Donnel, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa, USA RPMI Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Missouri, USA) R8758 FBS Sigma-Aldrich F7524 PBS Sigma-Aldrich D1408 10X, to be diluted in apyrogenic water Flask Becton Dickinson (Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, USA) 353135 Syringe 1ml Becton Dickinson 301358 Trypsin Life Technologies (Waltham, Massachusetts, USA) Gentamycin Life Technologies 15710-049 Xilor Bio 98 s.r.l. (Milano, Italy) 2% Xylazin Zoletil Virbac (Carros, France) 359713301992 5% Zolazepam + 5% Tiletamine 24G Catheter Terumo (Rome, Italy) SR+DM2419PX HCl Carlo Erba Reagents (Milano, Italy) 403871 Liquid NaOH JT Baker (Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA) 10095011 Powder Equipment Surgical Scalpel Albion Surgical Limited (Sheffield, England) Microtome Leica Microsystem ( Wetzlar, Germany) RM2235 Microscope Slides VWR International (Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA) 631-0108 Image Analyzer Zeiss (Jena, Germany) Cyres System

evaluation of the efficacy of the h. pylori protein hp-nap as a therapeutic tool for treatment of bladder cancer in an orthotopic murine model

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the urogenital tract. Intravesical injection of Bacillus Calmette-Gu&#233;rin (BCG) is the gold standard treatment for the high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, since the treatment-related side effects are relevant, newer biological response modifiers with a better benefit/side effects ratio are needed.
The tumour microenvironment can influence both tumour development and therapy efficacy. In order to obtain a good model, it is desirable to implant tumour cells in the organ from which the cancer originates.
In this protocol, we describe a method for establishing a tumour in the bladder cavity of female mice and subsequent delivery of therapeutic agents; the latter are exemplified by our use of Helicobacter pylori neutrophil activating protein (HP-NAP). A preliminary chemical burn of the mucosa, followed by the injection of mouse urothelial carcinoma cell line MB49 via urethral catheterization, enables the cells to attach to the bladder mucosa. After a period, required to allow an initial proliferation of the cells, mice are treated with HP-NAP, administrated again via catheterization. The anti-tumour activity of HP-NAP is evaluated comparing the tumour volume, the extent of necrosis and the degree of vascularization between vehicle- and HP-NAP-treated animals.

Figure 1 shows the catheterization technique; the mouse is catheterized and instilled with 0.5 &#215; 106 MB49 cells. Treatment with HP-NAP is started 3 days after the injection of tumour cells, to enable them to attach to the bladder wall and proliferate. All the animals belonging to the control group develop the tumour; some of them may die before the end of the 13 day period due to the occlusion of the urethra.
After the first injection with HP-NAP, the animals a...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Evaluation of the Efficacy of the H. pylori Protein HP-NAP as a Therapeutic Tool for Treatment of Bladder Cancer in an Orthotopic Murine Model at JoVE.com

Evaluation of the Efficacy of the H. pylori Protein HP-NAP as a Therapeutic Tool for Treatment of Bladder Cancer in an Orthotopic Murine Model

Here the method to establish a syngeneic mouse model of orthotopic bladder tumour to evaluate the anti-tumour efficacy of the bacterial protein HP-NAP is described.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of the H. pylori Protein HP-NAP as a Therapeutic Tool for Treatment of Bladder Cancer in an Orthotopic Murine Model

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the urogenital tract. Intravesical injection of Bacillus Calmette-Gu&#233;rin (BCG) is the gold ...

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7.2K ビュー.  University of Padua. Here the method to establish a syngeneic mouse model of orthotopic bladder tumour to evaluate the anti-tumour efficacy of the bacterial protein HP-NAP is described.

ビデオ: Evaluation of the Efficacy of the H. pylori Protein HP-NAP as a Therapeutic Tool for Treatment of Bladder Cancer in an Orthotopic Murine Model

An Orthotopic Model of Murine Bladder Cancer

In this straightforward procedure, bladder tumors are established in female C57 mice through the use of catheterization, local cauterization, and subsequent cell adhesion. After their bladders are transurethrally catheterized and drained, animals are again catheterized to permit insertion of a platinum wire into bladders without damaging the urethra or bladder. The catheters are made of Teflon to serve as an insulator for the wire, which will conduct electrical current into the bladder to create a burn injury. An electrocautery unit is used to deliver 2.5W to the exposed end of the wire, burning away extracellular layers and providing attachment sites for carcinoma cells that are delivered in suspension to the bladder through a subsequent catheterization. Cells remain in the bladder for 90 minutes, after which the catheters are removed and the bladders allowed to drain naturally. The development of tumor is monitored via ultrasound. Specific attention is paid to the catheterization technique in the accompanying video.

Bladder tumors are established in female mice in a minimally invasive fashion through catheterization, local cauterization, and subsequent adhesion of carcinoma cells to the burn sites.

In this straightforward procedure, bladder tumors are established in female C57 mice through the use of catheterization, local cauterization, and ...

Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Loco-regional invasion of head and neck cancer is linked to metastatic risk and presents a difficult challenge in designing and implementing patient management strategies. Orthotopic mouse models of oral cancer have been developed to facilitate the study of factors that impact invasion and serve as model system for evaluating anti-tumor therapeutics. In these systems, visualization of disseminated tumor cells within oral cavity tissues has typically been conducted by either conventional histology or with in vivo bioluminescent methods. A primary drawback of these techniques is the inherent inability to accurately visualize and quantify early tumor cell invasion arising from the primary site in three dimensions. Here we describe a protocol that combines an established model for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (SCOT) with two-photon imaging to allow multi-vectorial visualization of lingual tumor spread. The OSC-19 head and neck tumor cell line was stably engineered to express the F-actin binding peptide LifeAct fused to the mCherry fluorescent protein (LifeAct-mCherry). Fox1nu/nu mice injected with these cells reliably form tumors that allow the tongue to be visualized by ex-vivo application of two-photon microscopy. This technique allows for the orthotopic visualization of the tumor mass and locally invading cells in excised tongues without disruption of the regional tumor microenvironment. In addition, this system allows for the quantification of tumor cell invasion by calculating distances that invaded cells move from the primary tumor site. Overall this procedure provides an enhanced model system for analyzing factors that contribute to SCOT invasion and therapeutic treatments tailored to prevent local invasion and distant metastatic spread. This method also has the potential to be ultimately combined with other imaging modalities in an in vivo setting.

A comprehensive overview of the techniques involved in generating a mouse model of oral cancer and quantitative monitoring of tumor invasion within the tongue through multi-photon microscopy of labeled cells is presented. This system can serve as a useful platform for the molecular assessment and drug efficacy of anti-invasive compounds.

Loco-regional invasion of head and neck cancer is linked to metastatic risk and presents a difficult challenge in designing and implementing patient ...

Biomarkers in an Animal Model for Revealing Neural, Hematologic, and Behavioral Correlates of PTSD

Identification of biomarkers representing the evolution of the pathophysiology of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is vitally important, not only for objective diagnosis but also for the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and resilience to trauma. Ongoing research is directed at identifying molecular biomarkers for PTSD, including traumatic stress induced proteins, transcriptomes, genomic variances and genetic modulators, using biologic samples from subjects' blood, saliva, urine, and postmortem brain tissues. However, the correlation of these biomarker molecules in peripheral or postmortem samples to altered brain functions associated with psychiatric symptoms in PTSD remains unresolved. Here, we present an animal model of PTSD in which both peripheral blood and central brain biomarkers, as well as behavioral phenotype, can be collected and measured, thus providing the needed correlation of the central biomarkers of PTSD, which are mechanistic and pathognomonic but cannot be collected from people, with the peripheral biomarkers and behavioral phenotypes, which can.
Our animal model of PTSD employs restraint and tail shocks repeated for three continuous days - the inescapable tail-shock model (ITS) in rats. This ITS model mimics the pathophysiology of PTSD 17, 7, 4, 10. We and others have verified that the ITS model induces behavioral and neurobiological alterations similar to those found in PTSD subjects 17, 7, 10, 9. Specifically, these stressed rats exhibit (1) a delayed and exaggerated startle response appearing several days after stressor cessation, which given the compressed time scale of the rat's life compared to a humans, corresponds to the one to three months delay of symptoms in PTSD patients (DSM-IV-TR PTSD Criterian D/E 13), (2) enhanced plasma corticosterone (CORT) for several days, indicating compromise of the hypothalamopituitary axis (HPA), and (3) retarded body weight gain after stressor cessation, indicating dysfunction of metabolic regulation.
The experimental paradigms employed for this model are: (1) a learned helplessness paradigm in the rat assayed by measurement of acoustic startle response (ASR) and a charting of body mass; (2) microdissection of the rat brain into regions and nuclei; (3) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for blood levels of CORT; (4) a gene expression microarray plus related bioinformatics tools 18. This microarray, dubbed rMNChip, focuses on mitochondrial and mitochondria-related nuclear genes in the rat so as to specifically address the neuronal bioenergetics hypothesized to be involved in PTSD.

We describe a rat model of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that reveals the persistent alterations in neuroendocrine function and the delayed long-term, exaggerated fear response, characteristic of PTSD patients. The animal model and methods described here are useful for correlating biomarkers in brain nuclei, which are mechanistic but cannot be measured in patients, with biomarkers in peripheral white blood cells, which can.

Identification of biomarkers representing the evolution of the pathophysiology of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is vitally important, not only for ...

An Orthotopic Bladder Tumor Model and the Evaluation of Intravesical saRNA Treatment

We present a novel method for treating bladder cancer with intravesically delivered small activating RNA (saRNA) in an orthotopic xenograft mouse bladder tumor model. The mouse model is established by urethral catheterization under inhaled general anesthetic. Chemical burn is then introduced to the bladder mucosa using intravesical silver nitrate solution to disrupt the bladder glycosaminoglycan layer and allows cells to attach. Following several washes with sterile water, human bladder cancer KU-7-luc2-GFP cells are instilled through the catheter into the bladder to dwell for 2 hours. Subsequent growth of bladder tumors is confirmed and monitored by in vivo bladder ultrasound and bioluminescent imaging. The tumors are then treated intravesically with saRNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Tumor growth is monitored with ultrasound and bioluminescence. All steps of this procedure are demonstrated in the accompanying video.

Establishing an orthotopic bladder tumor model to evaluate antitumor effects of intravesically delivered saRNA and monitoring tumor growth by ultrasound and bioluminescent imaging.

We present a novel method for treating bladder cancer with intravesically delivered small activating RNA (saRNA) in an orthotopic xenograft mouse bladder ...

An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies

Bladder cancer is the second most common cancer of the urogenital tract and novel therapeutic approaches that can reduce recurrence and progression are needed. The tumor microenvironment can significantly influence tumor development and therapy response. It is therefore often desirable to grow tumor cells in the organ from which they originated. This protocol describes an orthotopic model of bladder cancer, in which MB49 murine bladder carcinoma cells are instilled into the bladder via catheterization. Successful tumor cell implantation in this model requires disruption of the protective glycosaminoglycan layer, which can be accomplished by physical or chemical means. In our protocol the bladder is treated with trypsin prior to cell instillation. Catheterization of the bladder can also be used to deliver therapeutics once the tumors are established. This protocol describes the delivery of an adenoviral construct that expresses a luciferase reporter gene. While our protocol has been optimized for short-term studies and focuses on gene delivery, the methodology of mouse bladder catheterization has broad applications.

Implantation of cancer cells into the organ of origin can serve as a useful preclinical model to evaluate novel therapies. MB49 bladder carcinoma cells can be grown within the bladder following intravesical instillation. This protocol demonstrates catheterization of the mouse bladder for the purpose of tumor implantation and adenoviral delivery.

Bladder cancer is the second most common cancer of the urogenital tract and novel therapeutic approaches that can reduce recurrence and progression are ...

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.

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  ...

Minimally Invasive Establishment of Murine Orthotopic Bladder Xenografts

Orthotopic bladder cancer xenografts are the gold standard to study molecular cellular manipulations and new therapeutic agents&#160;in vivo. Suitable cell lines are inoculated either by intravesical instillation (model of nonmuscle invasive growth) or intramural injection into the bladder wall (model of invasive growth). Both procedures are complex and highly time-consuming. Additionally, the superficial model has its shortcomings due to the lack of cell lines that are tumorigenic following instillation. Intramural injection, on the other hand, is marred by the invasiveness of the procedure and the associated morbidity for the host mouse.
With these shortcomings in mind, we modified previous methods to develop a minimally invasive approach for creating orthotopic bladder cancer xenografts. Using ultrasound guidance we have successfully performed percutaneous inoculation of the bladder cancer cell lines UM-UC1, UM-UC3 and UM-UC13 into 50 athymic nude. We have been able to demonstrate that this approach is time efficient, precise and safe. With this technique, initially a space is created under the bladder mucosa with PBS, and tumor cells are then injected into this space in a second step. Tumor growth is monitored at regular intervals with bioluminescence imaging and ultrasound. The average tumor volumes increased steadily in in all but one of our 50 mice over the study period.
In our institution, this novel approach, which allows bladder cancer xenograft inoculation in a minimally-invasive, rapid and highly precise way, has replaced the traditional model.

The established technique to inoculate primary invasive orthotopic bladder cancer xenografts requires laparotomy and mobilization of the bladder. This procedure inflicts significant morbidity on the mice, is technically challenging and time-consuming. We therefore developed a high-precision, percutaneous approach utilizing ultrasound guidance.

Orthotopic bladder cancer xenografts are the gold standard to study molecular cellular manipulations and new therapeutic agents&#160;in vivo. Suitable ...

Excitotoxic Stimulation of Brain Microslices as an In vitro Model of Stroke

Examining molecular mechanisms involved in neuropathological conditions, such as ischemic stroke, can be difficult when using whole animal systems. As such, primary or &#39;neuronal-like&#39; cell culture systems are commonly utilized. While&#160;these systems are relatively easy to work with, and are useful model systems in which various functional outcomes (such as cell death) can be readily quantified, the examined outcomes and pathways in cultured immature neurons (such as excitotoxicity-mediated cell death pathways) are not necessarily the same as those observed in mature brain, or in intact tissue. Therefore, there is the need to develop models in which cellular mechanisms in mature neural tissue can be examined. We have developed an in vitro technique that can be used to investigate a variety of molecular pathways in intact nervous tissue. The technique described herein utilizes rat cortical tissue, but this technique can be adapted to use tissue from a variety of species (such as mouse, rabbit, guinea pig, and chicken) or brain regions (for example, hippocampus, striatum, etc.). Additionally, a variety of stimulations/treatments can be used (for example, excitotoxic, administration of inhibitors, etc.). In conclusion, the brain slice model described herein can be used to examine a variety of molecular mechanisms involved in excitotoxicity-mediated brain injury.

Excitotoxic Stimulation of Brain Microslices as an In vitro Model of Stroke

We have developed a brain slice model which can be used to examine molecular mechanisms involved in excitotoxicity-mediated brain injury.&#160;This technique generates viable mature brain tissue and reduces animal numbers required for experimentation, whilst keeping the neuronal circuitry, cellular interactions, and postsynaptic compartments partly intact.

Examining molecular mechanisms involved in neuropathological conditions, such as ischemic stroke, can be difficult when using whole animal systems. As ...

Pre-clinical Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer

To study the multifaceted biology of prostate cancer, pre-clinical in vivo models offer a range of options to uncover critical biological information about this disease. The human orthotopic prostate cancer xenograft mouse model provides a useful alternative approach for understanding the specific interactions between genetically and molecularly altered tumor cells, their organ microenvironment, and for evaluation of efficacy of therapeutic regimens. This is a well characterized model designed to study the molecular events of primary tumor development and it recapitulates the early events in the metastatic cascade prior to embolism and entry of tumor cells into the circulation. Thus it allows elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying the initial phase of metastatic disease. In addition, this model can annotate drug targets of clinical relevance and is a valuable tool to study prostate cancer progression. In this manuscript we describe a detailed procedure to establish a human orthotopic prostate cancer xenograft mouse model.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. An orthotopic cancer model provides a useful approach to understand the biology of prostate cancer and to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic regimens. This protocol describes detailed steps necessary to establish an orthotopic prostate cancer mouse model.

To study the multifaceted biology of prostate cancer, pre-clinical in vivo models offer a range of options to uncover critical biological information ...

Second Harmonic Generation Signals in Rabbit Sclera As a Tool for Evaluation of Therapeutic Tissue Cross-linking (TXL) for Myopia

Methods to strengthen tissue by introducing chemical bonds (non-enzymatic cross-linking) into structural proteins (fibrillar collagens) for therapy include photochemical cross-linking and tissue cross-linking (TXL) methods. Such methods for inducing mechanical tissue property changes are being employed to the cornea in corneal thinning (mechanically weakened) disorders such as keratoconus as well as the sclera in progressive myopia, where thinning and weakening of the posterior sclera occurs and likely contributes to axial elongation. The primary target proteins for such tissue strengthening are fibrillar collagens which constitute the great majority of dry weight proteins in the cornea and sclera. Fortuitously, fibrillar collagens are the main source of second harmonic generation signals in the tissue extracellular space. Therefore, modifications of the collagen proteins, such as those induced through cross-linking therapies, could potentially be detected and quantitated through the use of second harmonic generation microscopy (SHGM). Monitoring SHGM signals through the use of a laser scanning microscopy system coupled with an infrared excitation light source is an exciting modern imaging method that is enjoying widespread usage in the biomedical sciences. Thus, the present study was undertaken in order to evaluate the use of SHGM microscopy as a means to measure induced cross-linking effects in ex vivo rabbit sclera, following an injection of a chemical cross-linking agent into the sub-Tenon&#39;s space (sT), an injection approach that is standard practice for causing ocular anesthesia during ophthalmologic clinical procedures. The chemical cross-linking agent, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate (SMG), is from a class of cosmetic preservatives known as formaldehyde releasing agents (FARs). Scleral changes following reaction with SMG resulted in increases in SHG signals and correlated with shifts in thermal denaturation temperature, a standard method for evaluating induced tissue cross-linking effects.

Second Harmonic Generation Signals in Rabbit Sclera As a Tool for Evaluation of Therapeutic Tissue Cross-linking TXL for Myopia

This protocol describes techniques for evaluating chemical cross-linking of the rabbit sclera using&#160;second harmonic generation imaging and differential scanning calorimetry.

Methods to strengthen tissue by introducing chemical bonds (non-enzymatic cross-linking) into structural proteins (fibrillar collagens) for therapy ...