title: Research Techniques Made Simple: Skin Carcinogenesis Models: Xenotransplantation Techniques.
abstract: Xenotransplantation is a widely used technique to test the tumorigenic potential of human cells in vivo using immunodeficient mice. Here we describe basic technologies and recent advances in xenotransplantation applied to study squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the skin. SCC cells isolated from tumors can either be cultured to generate a cell line or injected directly into mice. Several immunodeficient mouse models are available for selection based on the experimental design and the type of tumorigenicity assay. Subcutaneous injection is the most widely used technique for xenotransplantation because it involves a simple procedure allowing the use of a large number of cells, although it may not mimic the original tumor environment. SCC cell injections at the epidermal-to-dermal junction or grafting of organotypic cultures containing human stroma have also been used to more closely resemble the tumor environment. Mixing of SCC cells with cancer-associated fibroblasts can allow the study of their interaction and reciprocal influence, which can be followed in real time by intradermal ear injection using conventional fluorescent microscopy. In this article, we will review recent advances in xenotransplantation technologies applied to study behavior of SCC cells and their interaction with the tumor environment in vivo.
authors.affiliation: CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Rosaria
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mollo
authors.affiliation: IRCCS SDN, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Antonini
authors.affiliation: CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, Napoli, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cirillo
authors.affiliation: CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, Napoli, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy. Electronic address: caterina.missero@unina.it.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Missero
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D012107:Research Design; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000379:methods*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000637:transplantation*