The syngeneic rat mesothelioma II-45 cell line was a kind gift from A/Prof. Emanuela Felley-Bosco, Zurich University.

All procedures involving animals were carried out in accordance with the recommendations in the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. The protocol for this study was approved by the Royal North Shore Hospital Animal Care and Ethics Committee. Female Fischer 344 rats (F344, 150-200 g) were maintained at the Kearns Facility, Kolling Institute under standard conditions (12 hr light/dark cycles and free access to food and water).
Note: A flow chart fo...

<ol>
	<li>Kao, S. C., 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=Malignant+mesothelioma.">Malignant mesothelioma.</a> Intern Med J. 40 (11), 742-7450 (2010).</li><li>Zucali, P. 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=Advances+in+the+biology+of+malignant+pleural+mesothelioma.">Advances in the biology of malignant pleural mesothelioma.</a> Cancer Treat Rev. 37 (7), 543-558 (2011).</li><li>Olsen, N. 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=Increasing+incidence+of+malignant+mesothelioma+after+exposure+to+asbestos+during+home+maintenance+and+renovation.">Increasing incidence of malignant mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos during home maintenance and renovation.</a> Med J Aust. 195 (5), 271-274 (2011).</li><li>Zucali, P. 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=Thymidylate+synthase+and+excision+repair+cross-complementing+group-1+as+predictors+of+responsiveness+in+mesothelioma+patients+treated+with+pemetrexed/carboplatin.">Thymidylate synthase and excision repair cross-complementing group-1 as predictors of responsiveness in mesothelioma patients treated with pemetrexed/carboplatin.</a> Clin Cancer Res. 17 (8), 2581-2590 (2011).</li><li>Vogelzang, N. 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=Phase+III+study+of+pemetrexed+in+combination+with+cisplatin+versus+cisplatin+alone+in+patients+with+malignant+pleural+mesothelioma.">Phase III study of pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin versus cisplatin alone in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.</a> J Clin Oncol. 21 (14), 2636-2644 (2003).</li><li>Lowenstein, P. R., Castro, M. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Uncertainty+in+the+translation+of+preclinical+experiments+to+clinical+trials.+Why+do+most+phase+III+clinical+trials+fail?.">Uncertainty in the translation of preclinical experiments to clinical trials. Why do most phase III clinical trials fail?.</a> Curr Gene Ther. 9 (5), 368-374 (2009).</li><li>Kamb, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=What's+wrong+with+our+cancer+models.">What's wrong with our cancer models.</a> Nat Rev Drug Discov. 4 (2), 161-165 (2005).</li><li>Yakisich, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+Algorithm+for+the+Preclinical+Screening+of+Anticancer+Drugs+Effective+against+Brain+Tumors.">An Algorithm for the Preclinical Screening of Anticancer Drugs Effective against Brain Tumors.</a> ISRN Pharmacol. 2012, 513580 (2012).</li><li>Basu, D., Herlyn, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Defining+microenvironments+within+mouse+models+that+enhance+tumor+aggressiveness.">Defining microenvironments within mouse models that enhance tumor aggressiveness.</a> Cancer Biol Ther. 8 (4), 380-381 (2009).</li><li>Abolhassani, 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=Screening+of+well-established+drugs+targeting+cancer+metabolism:+reproducibility+of+the+efficacy+of+a+highly+effective+drug+combination+in+mice.">Screening of well-established drugs targeting cancer metabolism: reproducibility of the efficacy of a highly effective drug combination in mice.</a> Invest New Drugs. 4 (4), 1331-1342 (2011).</li><li>Hudson, A. L., 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=Establishing+a+panel+of+chemo-resistant+mesothelioma+models+for+investigating+chemo-resistance+and+identifying+new+treatments+for+mesothelioma.">Establishing a panel of chemo-resistant mesothelioma models for investigating chemo-resistance and identifying new treatments for mesothelioma.</a> Sci Rep. 4, 6152 (2014).</li><li>Iannaccone, P. M., Jacob, H. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rats!.">Rats!.</a> Dis Model Mech. 2 (5-6), 206-210 (2009).</li><li>Craighead, J. E., 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=Characteristics+of+tumors+and+tumor+cells+cultured+from+experimental+asbestos-induced+mesotheliomas+in+rats.">Characteristics of tumors and tumor cells cultured from experimental asbestos-induced mesotheliomas in rats.</a> Am J Pathol. 129 (3), 448-462 (1987).</li><li>Hunter, S. D., 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=Lymphocyte+subset+analysis+by+Boolean+algebra:+a+phenotypic+approach+using+a+cocktail+of+5+antibodies+and+3+color+immunofluorescence.">Lymphocyte subset analysis by Boolean algebra: a phenotypic approach using a cocktail of 5 antibodies and 3 color immunofluorescence.</a> Cytometry. 15 (3), 258-266 (1994).</li><li>Brando, B., 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=Cytofluorometric+methods+for+assessing+absolute+numbers+of+cell+subsets+in+blood.+European+Working+Group+on+Clinical+Cell+Analysis.">Cytofluorometric methods for assessing absolute numbers of cell subsets in blood. European Working Group on Clinical Cell Analysis.</a> Cytometry. 42 (6), 327-346 (2000).</li><li>Schnizlein-Bick, C. T., 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=Evaluation+of+TruCount+absolute-count+tubes+for+determining+CD4+and+CD8+cell+numbers+in+human+immunodeficiency+virus-positive+adults.">Evaluation of TruCount absolute-count tubes for determining CD4 and CD8 cell numbers in human immunodeficiency virus-positive adults.</a> Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 7 (3), 336-343 (2000).</li><li>Gajkowska, 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=Flow+cytometric+enumeration+of+CD34++hematopoietic+stem+and+progenitor+cells+in+leukapheresis+product+and+bone+marrow+for+clinical+transplantation:+a+comparison+of+three+methods.">Flow cytometric enumeration of CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in leukapheresis product and bone marrow for clinical transplantation: a comparison of three methods.</a> Folia Histochem Cytobiol. 44 (1), 53-60 (2006).</li><li>Hanahan, D., Weinberg, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hallmarks+of+cancer:+the+next+generation.">Hallmarks of cancer: the next generation.</a> Cell. 144 (5), 646-674 (2011).</li><li>Kao, S. C., 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=High+blood+neutrophil-to-lymphocyte+ratio+is+an+indicator+of+poor+prognosis+in+malignant+mesothelioma+patients+undergoing+systemic+therapy.">High blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is an indicator of poor prognosis in malignant mesothelioma patients undergoing systemic therapy.</a> Clin Cancer Res. 16 (23), 5805-5813 (2010).</li><li>Kao, S. C., 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=Validation+of+prognostic+factors+in+malignant+pleural+mesothelioma:+a+retrospective+analysis+of+data+from+patients+seeking+compensation+from+the+New+South+Wales+dust+diseases+board.">Validation of prognostic factors in malignant pleural mesothelioma: a retrospective analysis of data from patients seeking compensation from the New South Wales dust diseases board.</a> Clin Lung Cancer. 14 (1), 70-77 (2013).</li><li>Burt, B. 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=Circulating+and+tumor-infiltrating+myeloid+cells+predict+survival+in+human+pleural+mesothelioma.">Circulating and tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells predict survival in human pleural mesothelioma.</a> Cancer. 117 (22), 5234-5244 (2011).</li><li>Weir, C., 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=Streptavidin:+a+novel+immunostimulant+for+the+selection+and+delivery+of+autologous+and+syngeneic+tumor+vaccines.">Streptavidin: a novel immunostimulant for the selection and delivery of autologous and syngeneic tumor vaccines.</a> Cancer Immunol Res. 2 (5), 469-479 (2014).</li></ol>

This paper details a method for the generation of a rat syngeneic orthotopic model of pleural mesothelioma and a simple method for monitoring disease progression through longitudinal blood sampling.
The II-45 model was developed by exposing Fischer 344 rats to asbestos fibers13. Although this exposure represents the true dynamics of host-asbestos-immune system interactions for mesothelioma pathogenesis, it has a long lag time (taking years to generate) and can be dangerous for the r...

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive malignancy which arises from transformed cells in the membrane (mesothelium) that lines the lung and abdominal cavities, heart and internal reproductive organs, and is the most common primary tumor of the lung cavity or pleura1,2. Exposure to asbestos fibres accounts for 80% of all MM, and while bans on asbestos use were introduced decades ago in most western countries, its widespread use in the community has left a deadly legacy. The World Health Organization has estimated that 107,000 people worldwide die each year from asbestos related diseases, with mortality rates continuing to increase. A new non-occupational incidence wave is also emerging and there is little understanding of when, and at what level this will peak3.
The majority of people with MM are diagnosed late when systemic chemotherapy represents one of the only viable options4. The most effective chemotherapy and current &#8216;standard of care&#8217; (pemetrexed together with cisplatin5) was identified over 10 years ago. However failure of this treatment is inevitable and there are no proven second line options, leaving patients with a grim prognosis and median survival of only 12 months2. Therefore, there is an urgent unmet need for more effective treatments. Despite the examination of a number of novel therapies in clinical trials none has resulted in changes in practice. This is due in part to the low (5%) transference of pre-clinical results, generally performed in xenograft mouse models, to the clinical setting6-8. Such models do not faithfully recapitulate the complex aspects of the tumor microenvironment occurring in non-physiological locations, frequently in the absence of a functioning immune system9.
Syngeneic orthotopic models create a significantly more realistic tumor environment than the commonly used subcutaneous xenograft models as the tumors occur in the correct physiological location with an intact immune system10,11. The larger size of the rat enhances its use as a rodent disease model, especially in drug studies where serial blood draws are required to assess treatment response and toxicity12. Furthermore, in models in which monitoring disease progression is difficult due to the location of the tumors (such as in the pleural cavity), the ability to monitor disease progression using factors found in the circulation is extremely attractive. The generation of a syngeneic orthotopic model of pleural mesothelioma using immune-competent rats is described. In addition, an easy and relatively non-invasive method for monitoring pleural disease progression by measuring circulating immune cells is also described.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>EDTA Collection tube (0.5ml)</td>
			<td>Greiner Bio One GmbH</td>
			<td>450480</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat T/B/NK Cell cocktail</td>
			<td>BD Pharmingen</td>
			<td>558509</td>
			<td>anti-Rat CD3&#160; APC (IgM clone 1F4), anti-Rat CD45RA Fitc (IgG1 clone OX-33), anti-Rat CD161a PE (IgG1 Clone 10/78)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-RAT CD8a PE&#160;</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>200608</td>
			<td>(IgG1vClone G28)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-Rat CD4 FITC (Domain 1)&#160;</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>203406</td>
			<td>(IgG1 Clone OX-38)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-Rat CD45 PE/Cy7&#160;</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>202214</td>
			<td>(IgG1 Clone OX-1)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TruCount&#8482; Tubes</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>340334</td>
			<td>Box of 50 absolute counting tubes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RPMI 1640 media</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>11875-119</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>foetal bovine serum (FBS)</td>
			<td>Scientifix</td>
			<td>FBS500-S (lot# 010101-1)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15400-054</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS tablets</td>
			<td>Medicago AB</td>
			<td>09-9400-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>23Gx1&#188; Needle</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>302008</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1mL Syringe</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>302 100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fischer 344 Rat</td>
			<td>Animal Resources Centre, Perth Australia</td>
			<td>F344</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>I.S.O (Isoflurane USP)</td>
			<td>Veterinary Companys Australia (VCA)&#160;</td>
			<td>B7058</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>II-45 Rat Mesothelioma line</td>
			<td>Zurich University</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Note: The cell line was given as a gift and is not commercially available at the ATCC</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FACSCalibur&#8482; 4 colour</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>342975</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TRIS-HCL</td>
			<td>SIGMA</td>
			<td>T3253</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ammonium Chloride</td>
			<td>SIGMA</td>
			<td>9718</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anaesthetic Machine (The stinger)</td>
			<td>Advanced Anaesthesia specialists</td>
			<td>#00449</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

orthotopic implantation and peripheral immune cell monitoring in the ii-45 syngeneic rat mesothelioma model

The enormous upsurge of interest in immune-based treatments for cancer such as vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors, and increased understanding of the role of the tumor microenvironment in treatment response, collectively point to the need for immune-competent orthotopic models for pre-clinical testing of these new therapies. This paper demonstrates how to establish an orthotopic immune-competent rat model of pleural malignant mesothelioma. Monitoring disease progression in orthotopic models is confounded by the internal location of the tumors. To longitudinally monitor disease progression and its effect on circulating immune cells in this and other rat models of cancer, a single tube flow cytometry assay requiring only 25 &#181;l whole blood is described. This provides accurate quantification of seven immune parameters: total lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils, as well as the T-cell subsets CD4 and CD8, B-cells and Natural Killer cells. Different subsets of these parameters are useful in different circumstances and models, with the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio having the greatest utility for monitoring disease progression in the mesothelioma model. Analyzing circulating immune cell levels using this single tube method may also assist in monitoring the response to immune-based treatments and understanding the underlying mechanisms leading to success or failure of treatment.

The method used in this paper for the generation of an orthotopic model of pleural mesothelioma using II-45 cells resulted in animals succumbing to mesothelioma in a reproducible and rapid timeframe, with no rats dying due to the implantation method. Titration of the number of cells implanted determined that 1x 103 cells was the minimum number required for a fully penetrant model (100% engraftment). The different number of cells implanted in the rats changed the time course of the disease without appearing to ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Orthotopic Implantation and Peripheral Immune Cell Monitoring in the II-45 Syngeneic Rat Mesothelioma Model at JoVE.com

Orthotopic Implantation and Peripheral Immune Cell Monitoring in the II-45 Syngeneic Rat Mesothelioma Model

The generation of an orthotopic rat model of pleural malignant mesothelioma by implantation of II-45 mesothelioma cells into the pleural cavity of immune competent rats is presented. A flow cytometric method to analyze seven immune cell subsets in these animals from a 25 &#181;l&#160;blood sample is also described.

The enormous upsurge of interest in immune-based treatments for cancer such as vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors, and increased understanding of ...

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9.1K ビュー.  Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney. 免疫適格ラットの胸膜腔にII-45中皮腫細胞の移植による胸膜悪性中皮腫の同所性ラットモデルの生成が示されています。 25μlの血液試料から、これらの動物において7の免疫細胞サブセットを分析するためのフローサイトメトリー方法も記載されています。 

ビデオ: Orthotopic Implantation and Peripheral Immune Cell Monitoring in the II-45 Syngeneic Rat Mesothelioma Model

Orthotopic Aortic Transplantation: A Rat Model to Study the Development of Chronic Vasculopathy

Research models of chronic rejection are essential to investigate pathobiological and pathophysiological processes during the development of transplant vasculopathy (TVP).
The commonly used animal model for cardiovascular chronic rejection studies is the heterotopic heart transplant model performed in laboratory rodents. This model is used widely in experiments since Ono and Lindsey (3) published their technique. To analyze the findings in the blood vessels, the heart has to be sectioned and all vessels have to be measured.
Another method to investigate chronic rejection in cardiovascular questionings is the aortic transplant model (1, 2). In the orthotopic aortic transplant model, the aorta can easily be histologically evaluated (2). The PVG-to-ACI model is especially useful for CAV studies, since acute vascular rejection is not a major confounding factor and Cyclosporin A (CsA) treatment does not prevent the development of CAV, similar to what we find in the clinical setting (4). A7-day period of CsA is required in this model to prevent acute rejection and to achieve long-term survival with the development of TVP.
This model can also be used to investigate acute cellular rejection and media necrosis in xenogeneic models (5).

This video demonstrates the orthotopic aortic transplant model as a simple model to study the development of transplant vasculopathy (TVP) in rats.

Research models of chronic rejection are essential to investigate pathobiological and pathophysiological processes during the development of transplant ...

Orthotopic Xenografting of Human Luciferase-Tagged Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells for in vivo Testing of Candidate Therapeutic Agents

Although in vitro screens are essential for the initial identification of candidate therapeutic agents, a rigorous assessment of the drug's ability to inhibit tumor growth must be performed in a suitable animal model. The type of animal model that is best for this purpose is a topic of intense discussion. Some evidence indicates that preclinical trials examining drug effects on tumors arising in transgenic mice are more predictive of clinical outcome1and so candidate therapeutic agents are often tested in these models. Unfortunately, transgenic models are not available for many tumor types. Further, transgenic models often have other limitations such as concerns as to how well the mouse tumor models its human counterpart, incomplete penetrance of the tumor phenotype and an inability to predict when tumors will develop.
Consequently, many investigators use xenograft models (human tumor cells grafted into immunodeficient mice) for preclinical trials if appropriate transgenic tumor models are not available. Even if transgenic models are available, they are often partnered with xenograft models as the latter facilitate rapid determination of therapeutic ranges. Further, this partnership allows a comparison of the effectiveness of the agent in transgenic tumors and genuine human tumor cells. Historically, xenografting has often been performed by injecting tumor cells subcutaneously (ectopic xenografts). This technique is rapid and reproducible, relatively inexpensive and allows continuous quantitation of tumor growth during the therapeutic period2. However, the subcutaneous space is not the normal microenvironment for most neoplasms and so results obtained with ectopic xenografting can be misleading due to factors such as an absence of organ-specific expression of host tissue and tumor genes. It has thus been strongly recommended that ectopic grafting studies be replaced or complemented by studies in which human tumor cells are grafted into their tissue of origin (orthotopic xenografting)2. Unfortunately, implementation of this recommendation is often thwarted by the fact that orthotopic xenografting methodologies have not yet been developed for many tumor types.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are highly aggressive sarcomas that occur sporadically or in association with neurofibromatosis type 13and most commonly arise in the sciatic nerve4. Here we describe a technically straightforward method in which firefly luciferase-tagged human MPNST cells are orthopically xenografted into the sciatic nerve of immunodeficient mice. Our approach to assessing the success of the grafting procedure in individual animals and subsequent non-biased randomization into study groups is also discussed.

Orthotopic Xenografting of Human Luciferase-Tagged Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells for in vivo Testing of Candidate Therapeutic Agents

A method for reliably grafting luciferase-tagged human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor cells into the sciatic nerve of immunodeficient mice is described. The use of bioluminescence imaging to demonstrate proper establishment of tumor grafts and criteria for random segregation of animals into study groups are also discussed.

Although in vitro screens are essential for the initial identification of candidate therapeutic agents, a rigorous assessment of the drug's ability to ...

Establishment and Propagation of Human Retinoblastoma Tumors in Immune Deficient Mice

Culturing retinoblastoma tumor cells in defined stem cell media gives rise to primary tumorspheres that can be grown and maintained for only a limited time. These cultured tumorspheres may exhibit markedly different cellular phenotypes when compared to the original tumors. Demonstration that cultured cells have the capability of forming new tumors is important to ensure that cultured cells model the biology of the original tumor. 
Here we present a protocol for propagating human retinoblastoma tumors in vivo using Rag2-/- immune deficient mice. Cultured human retinoblastoma tumorspheres of low passage or cells obtained from freshly harvested human retinoblastoma tumors injected directly into the vitreous cavity of murine eyes form tumors within 2-4 weeks. These tumors can be harvested and either further passaged into murine eyes in vivo or grown as tumorspheres in vitro. Propagation has been successfully carried out for at least three passages thus establishing a continuing source of human retinoblastoma tissue for further experimentation. 
Wesley S. Bond and Lalita Wadhwa are co-first authors.

A method is described to propagate human retinoblastoma tumors in mice. Tumor cells are directly injected into the eyes of immune deficient mice. Secondary tumors have been successfully established using both cells directly harvested from human tumors and cultured tumorspheres.

Culturing retinoblastoma tumor cells in defined stem cell media gives rise to primary tumorspheres that can be grown and maintained for only a limited ...

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 ...

The Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge Model Implantation

Wound healing is a complicated, multistep process involving many cell types, growth factors and compounds1-3. Because of this complexity, wound healing studies are most comprehensive when carried out in vivo. There are many in vivo models available to study acute wound healing, including incisional, excisional, dead space, and burns. Dead space models are artificial, porous implants which are used to study tissue formation and the effects of substances on the wound. Some of the commonly used dead space models include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponges, steel wire mesh cylinders, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) material, and the Cellstick1,2.
Each dead space model has its own limitations based on its material's composition and implantation methods. The steel wire mesh cylinder model has a lag phase of infiltration after implantation and requires a long amount of time before granulation tissue formation begins1. Later stages of wound healing are best analyzed using the ePTFE model1,4. The Cellstick is a cellulose sponge inside a silicon tube model which is typically used for studying human surgery wounds and wound fluid2. The PVA sponge is limited to acute studies because with time it begins to provoke a foreign body response which causes a giant cell reaction in the animal5. Unlike other materials, PVA sponges are easy to insert and remove, made of inert and non-biodegradable materials and yet are soft enough to be sectioned for histological analysis2,5.
In wound healing the PVA sponge is very useful for analyzing granulation tissue formation, collagen deposition, wound fluid composition, and the effects of substances on the healing process1,2,5. In addition to its use in studying a wide array of attributes of wound healing, the PVA sponge has also been used in many other types of studies. It has been utilized to investigate tumor angiogenesis, drug delivery and stem cell survival and engraftment1,2,6,7. With its great alterability, prior extensive use, and reproducible results, the PVA sponge is an ideal model for many studies1,2.
Here, we will describe the preparation, implantation and retrieval of PVA sponge disks (Figure 1) in a mouse model of wound healing.

A useful tool to analyze the effects of drugs, growth factors, and/or manipulated cells in an animal model of wound repair is described. This technique utilizes the properties of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge to deliver and contain the desired treatment and also provide a platform to be excised and analyzed.

Wound healing is a complicated, multistep process involving many cell types, growth factors and compounds1-3. Because of this complexity, wound healing ...

Surgical Procedures for a Rat Model of Partial Orthotopic Liver Transplantation with Hepatic Arterial Reconstruction

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in rats using a whole or partial graft is an indispensable experimental model for transplantation research, such as studies on graft preservation and ischemia-reperfusion injury 1,2, immunological responses 3,4, hemodynamics 5,6, and small-for-size syndrome 7. The rat OLT is among the most difficult animal models in experimental surgery and demands advanced microsurgical skills that take a long time to learn. Consequently, the use of this model has been limited. Since the reliability and reproducibility of results are key components of the experiments in which such complex animal models are used, it is essential for surgeons who are involved in rat OLT to be trained in well-standardized and sophisticated procedures for this model.
While various techniques and modifications of OLT in rats have been reported 8 since the first model was described by Lee et al. 9 in 1973, the elimination of the hepatic arterial reconstruction 10 and the introduction of the cuff anastomosis technique by Kamada et al. 11 were a major advancement in this model, because they simplified the reconstruction procedures to a great degree. In the model by Kamada et al., the hepatic rearterialization was also eliminated. Since rats could survive without hepatic arterial flow after liver transplantation, there was considerable controversy over the value of hepatic arterialization. However, the physiological superiority of the arterialized model has been increasingly acknowledged, especially in terms of preserving the bile duct system 8,12 and the liver integrity 8,13,14.
In this article, we present detailed surgical procedures for a rat model of OLT with hepatic arterial reconstruction using a 50% partial graft after ex vivo liver resection. The reconstruction procedures for each vessel and the bile duct are performed by the following methods: a 7-0 polypropylene continuous suture for the supra- and infrahepatic vena cava; a cuff technique for the portal vein; and a stent technique for the hepatic artery and the bile duct.

Orthotopic liver transplantation in rats is an indispensable experimental model for biomedical research. Here we present our surgical procedures for orthotopic rat liver transplantation with hepatic arterial reconstruction using a 50% partial graft.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in rats using a whole or partial graft is an indispensable experimental model for transplantation research, such as ...

Optimized System for Cerebral Perfusion Monitoring in the Rat Stroke Model of Intraluminal Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion

The translational potential of pre-clinical stroke research depends on the accuracy of experimental modeling. Cerebral perfusion monitoring in animal models of acute ischemic stroke allows to confirm successful arterial occlusion and exclude subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral perfusion monitoring can also be used to study intracranial collateral circulation, which is emerging as a powerful determinant of stroke outcome and a possible therapeutic target. Despite a recognized role of Laser Doppler perfusion monitoring as part of the current guidelines for experimental cerebral ischemia, a number of technical difficulties exist that limit its widespread use. One of the major issues is obtaining a secure and prolonged attachment of a deep-penetration Laser Doppler probe to the animal skull. In this video, we show our optimized system for cerebral perfusion monitoring during transient middle cerebral artery occlusion by intraluminal filament in the rat. We developed in-house a simple method to obtain a custom made holder for twin-fibre (deep-penetration) Laser Doppler probes, which allow multi-site monitoring if needed. A continuous and prolonged monitoring of cerebral perfusion could easily be obtained over the intact skull.

Cerebral perfusion monitoring has been demonstrated to improve accuracy in ischemic stroke models. Technical difficulties often limit the use of this essential tool for cerebrovascular research. In this video, an optimized system is shown to obtain a single or multi-site hemodynamic monitoring during intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.

The translational potential of pre-clinical stroke research depends on the accuracy of experimental modeling. Cerebral perfusion monitoring in animal ...

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.

A &quot;Patient-Like&quot; Orthotopic Syngeneic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma 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.

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 ...

Isometric Contractility Measurement of the Mouse Mesenteric Artery Using Wire Myography

The wire myograph technique is used to assess the contractility of vascular smooth muscles in response to depolarization, GPCR agonists/inhibitors and drugs. It is widely used in many studies on the physiological functions of vascular smooth muscle, the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as hypertension, and the development of smooth muscle relaxant drugs. The mouse is a widely used model animal with a large pool of disease models and genetically modified strains. We introduced this method to measure the isometric contraction of mouse mesenteric artery in detail. A 1.4-mm segment of mouse mesenteric resistance artery was isolated and mounted on a myograph chamber by passing two steel wires through its lumen. After equilibration and normalization steps, the vessel segment was potentiated by a high-K+ solution twice prior to the contraction assay. As an example of the application of this method in drug development, we measured the relaxant effect of a novel natural substance, neoliensinine, isolated from a Chinese herb, embryos of the lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) on mouse mesenteric arteries. The vessel segments mounted on the myograph chamber were stimulated with a high-K+ solution. When the force tension reached a stable sustained phase, cumulative doses of neoliensinine were added to the chamber. We found that neoliensinine had a dose-dependent relaxant effect on smooth muscle contraction, thus suggesting that it bears potential activity against hypertension. In addition, as the vessel segment can survive at least 4 hours after mounting and maintain contractility induced by the high-K+ solution for many times, we suggest that the wire myograph system may be used for the time-consuming process of drug screening.

The wire myograph technique is used to investigate vascular smooth muscle functions and screen new drugs. We report a detailed protocol for measuring the isometric contractility of the mouse mesenteric artery and for screening new relaxants of vascular smooth muscle.

The wire myograph technique is used to assess the contractility of vascular smooth muscles in response to depolarization, GPCR agonists/inhibitors and ...

Reduced Complications after Arterial Reconnection in a Rat Model of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

The rat orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) model is a powerful tool to study acute and chronic rejection. However, it is not a complete representation of human liver transplantation due to the absence of arterial reconnection. Described here is a modified transplantation procedure that includes the incorporation of hepatic artery (HA) reconnection, leading to a marked improvement in transplant outcomes. With a mean anhepatic time of 12 min and 14 s, HA reconnection results in improved perfusion of the transplanted liver and an increase in long-term recipient survival from 37.5% to 88.2%. This protocol includes the use of 3D-printed cuffs and holders to connect the portal vein and infrahepatic inferior vena cava. It can be implemented for studying multiple aspects of liver transplantation, from immune response and infection to technical aspects of the procedure. By incorporating a simple and practical method for arterial reconnection using a microvascular technique, this modified rat OLT protocol closely mimics aspects of human liver transplantation and will serve as a valuable and clinically relevant research model.

The goal of this study is to modify the rat orthotopic liver transplant model to better represent human liver transplantation and improve recipient survival. The presented method reestablishes hepatic arterial inflow by connecting the donor liver&#39;s common hepatic artery to the recipient liver&#39;s proper hepatic artery.

The rat orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) model is a powerful tool to study acute and chronic rejection. However, it is not a complete representation ...