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.

Humanization of Tumor Stroma by Tissue Engineering as a Tool to Improve Squamous Cell Carcinoma Xenograft

“…In this regard, our study aimed to establish an experimental method that focused on the generation of a bioengineered stroma, capable of persisting and sustaining SCC growth. The importance of conditioning the environment for the successful growing of human carcinomas in immunodeficient mice is a very well-known phenomenon [18][19][20]. One of the early observations regarding this issue comes from studies with prostate carcinoma cells LNCaP, which under normal conditions, do not grow in vivo, unless the site of injection is preconditioned by implantation of matrigel or coinjection with human fibroblasts.…”

The Fairy Chemical Imidazole-4-carboxamide Inhibits the Expression of Axl, PD-L1, and PD-L2 and Improves Response to Cisplatin in Melanoma

“…ICA (2.5 mg per mouse) was administered by intraperitoneal injection three times a week for three weeks and cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg mouse weight) also by intraperitoneal route once a week for three weeks. An allograft melanoma model was induced by intradermal injection of a suspension of 1 × 10 5 B16F10 melanoma cells in 100 µL of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) into the right flank of mice under profound anesthesia with isoflurane [35]. The tumor volume was monitored by CT scan during the entire experiment, and it was calculated using the following formula: V = L × W2/2, where V is tumor volume, L length, and W width.…”