[Whole-body fluorescent imaging of the growth and metastasis of GFP-expressing bladder tumors].
OBJECTIVE
To label a human bladder cancer cell line and establish a novel human bladder cancer mouse model.


METHODS
T-24 cells, a human bladder transitional cell carcinoma cell line, were transfected with GFP plasmid to screen stable GFP-expressing clones. The latter were implanted into the wall of the bladder or the subcutaneous tissue of the neck of nude mice. The growth, invasion, and metastasis of the implanted tumor were observed and evaluated with whole-body optical imaging system. The findings were compared with those of HE staining on routine paraffin sections.


RESULTS
GFP-labeled tumor cells displayed green fluorescence under fluorescent microscopy and showed stable GFP expression in vitro and in vivo. One week after in situ transplantation of 5 x 10(5) T24 cells, the new bladder cancer was observed and evaluated under whole-body optical imaging system. Two weeks later, the new bladder tumor could be palpated, and 4 weeks later, metastasis to regional drainage lymph nodes in the pelvic and retroperitoneal lymph nodes occurred. The growth and metastasis of the implant bladder tumor were easily observed and accurately evaluated by fluorescent microscope.


CONCLUSIONS
GFP-labeled tumor cells display green fluorescence under fluorescent microscopy and show stable GFP expression. GFP-labeled T-24 cells and the novel human bladder cancer model described hereby provide a simple and reliable means for studying human bladder cancer in vivo.
Wu
Yuan-dong
YD
Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. abeyonder@yahoo.com.cn
Tan
Wan-long
WL
Xie
Yi
Y
Yu
Zhao-cun
ZC
Zhao
Guo-zhi
GZ
D000818:Animals; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins