Abstract：Objective To establish the xenograft tumor model with human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231SArfp stably expressing red fluorescent protein (RFP) and monitor the growth of breast cancer cells in bone environment using the in vivo imaging system.
Methods MDA-MB-231SArfp cells were injected intra-tibially into BALB/c-nu female nude mice. The tumor cells growth in vivo was monitored by the in vivo imaging system and tumor volume were measured every week. Seven weeks after intra-tibial inoculation, the mice were sacrificed and hind limbs were taken out for the radiographic and histological analysis.
Results The results examined by the in vivo imaging system showed that the MDA-MB-231SArfp cells started rapid growth at the 3 weeks after inoculation and the changes of fluorescent intensity correlated well with the increased tumor volume. X-ray images and HE stained tissues demonstrated that MDA-MB-231SArfp cells induced more severe osteolytic lesions at the 7 weeks than 4 weeks after inoculation.
Conclusions We successfuly established the non-invasive monitoring xenograft animal model using breast cancer cells labeled by the red fluorescent protein. The in vivo imaging system, combined with radiographic and histological analysis, could provide a visualized, continuous, and reliable platform to monitor the growth of breast cancer cells in bone environment, which can used to screen and evaluate the new anti-tumor drugs.
严伟, 金芳纯, 范启明, 汤亭亭. 利用光学成像系统非侵入性监测乳腺癌细胞在骨环境内的生长情况[J]. 《中国医药生物技术》杂志, 2012, 7(3): 164-170.
YAN Wei, JIN Fang-Chun, FAN Qi-Ming, TANG Ting-Ting. Non-invasive monitoring of the growth of breast cancer cells in bone environment using the optical imaging system. , 2012, 7(3): 164-170.
2012, Vol. 7 
