Matrigel augments xenograft transplantation of meningioma cells into athymic mice.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the use of Matrigel to enhance the growth of human meningiomas in athymic (nude) mice. Tumor take and growth of xenograft meningioma cells in an in vivo model have previously been only partially successful.


METHODS
The use of Matrigel has been reported to enhance tumorigenicity in a variety of solid tumors. This substance is derived from a mouse sarcoma and is a mixture of basement membrane proteins and growth factors. Meningioma cells obtained from human patients were placed in culture for 1 to 2 passages and then harvested and mixed with Matrigel and the mixture injected into the subcutaneous space in the flank of nude mice. Tumor volumes over time were measured at least three times a week and then harvested at 100 days postimplantation. Tumors were formalin-fixed, and histological examinations were performed. Immunohistochemistry was performed for human and mouse laminin, fibronectin, collagen Type IV, and epithelial membrane antigen.


RESULTS
Tumors developed in all 40 mice studied. Growth of meningioma tumors was dependent on total number of cells injected and independent of the total volume of tumor cells and Matrigel matrix. Histologically and immunohistochemically, the xenograft tumors were very similar to the original human tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Matrigel is relatively easy to use and has a high rate of histologically confirmed meningioma tumor formation in an athymic mouse model. We plan to use this model for studying the growth of meningiomas in vivo.
Jensen
R L
RL
Department of Neurosurgery, Loyola University, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
Leppla
D
D
Rokosz
N
N
Wurster
R D
RD
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007797:Laminin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen