Monitoring the growth effect of xenotransplanted human medulloblastoma in an immunocompromised mouse model using in vitro and ex vivo green fluorescent protein imaging.
BACKGROUND
Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common malignant brain tumors in children. It is a radiosensitive tumor. At 5 years after radical surgical excision and craniospinal axis irradiation, the tumor-free survival rate is from 50 to 70% [Halperin EC, Constine LS, Tarbell NJ, Kun LE. Pediatric radiation oncology (2005)].


METHODS
In this study, we established xenotransplanted human MB (hMB) cells - isochromosome 17q - in a severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse model. We further transduced green fluorescent protein (GFP) into hMB cells to evaluate these hMB cells grafted in SCID mice.


RESULTS
The result of an ex vivo GFP imaging system showed that a small lesion of the third-week-hMB-transplanted graft presented "green" signals with a clear tumor margin before any tumor-related symptoms were noted. We also demonstrated that the tumor progression could be monitored by GFP imaging for up to 12 weeks post-transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
This novel approach of GFP imaging assessment provides more accurate information of tumor status for experimental brain tumor studies. Because MB is sensitive to radiation and also response to chemotherapy, this SCID mouse model will be helpful for preclinical studies in the future.
Department of Education and Research, The Neurological Institute, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Shih-Hwa
SH
Chiou
Chung-Lan
CL
Kao
Han-Tso
HT
Lin
Wen-Ser
WS
Tseng
Ren-Shyan
RS
Liu
Chen-Fun
CF
Chung
Hung-Hai
HH
Ku
Ching-Po
CP
Lin
Tai-Tong
TT
Wong
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins