Optimizing orthotopic bladder tumor implantation in a syngeneic mouse model.
OBJECTIVE
We established a reliable technique for orthotopically implanting bladder tumor cells in a syngeneic mouse model.


METHODS
MBT-2 murine bladder cancer cells were transurethrally implanted in the bladder of syngeneic C3H/He mice (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine). Different chemical pretreatments were used before tumor implantation, including phosphate buffered saline (control), HCl, trypsin and poly-L-lysine. MBT-2 cells (1 x 10(6) or 2 x 10(6)) were instilled into the intravesical space after chemical pretreatment. Tumor take and bladder tumor volume were determined by micro ultrasound. Bladders were harvested at the end of the study to measure bladder weight and for histopathological examination.


RESULTS
Bladder pretreatment with HCl in 5 preparations was discontinued due to significant adverse reactions, resulting in death in 1 mouse, and severe bladder inflammation and hematuria 3 days after pretreatment in 2. Pretreatment with phosphate buffered saline, trypsin and poly-L-lysine in 6 animals each was tolerated well without significant adverse reactions or mortality. The tumor take rate in the control, trypsin and poly-L-lysine pretreatment groups was 33%, 83% and 83%, respectively. The take rate was higher in mice instilled with 2 x 10(6) cells than in those with 1 x 10(6) cells (93% vs 73%, p <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We report a reliable, feasible method of orthotopically implanting bladder tumor cells into a syngeneic mouse model. Poly-L-lysine and trypsin are useful adjunctive pretreatment agents to improve bladder tumor uptake. This model may be suitable to evaluate treatment paradigms for bladder cancer.
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. eddie@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk
Eddie S Y
ES
Chan
Amit R
AR
Patel
Armine K
AK
Smith
John B
JB
Klein
Anil A
AA
Thomas
Warren D
WD
Heston
William A
WA
Larchian
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology