Abstract
The common experimental use of B16-F10 melanoma cells focuses on exploring their metastatic potential following intravenous injection into mice. In this study, B16-F10 cells are used to develop a primary tumor model by implanting them directly into the ears of C57BL/6J mice. The model represents a reproducible and easily traceable tool for local tumor growth and for making additional in vivo observations, due to the localization of the tumors. This model is relatively simple and involves (i) surgical opening of the ear skin, (ii) removal of a square-piece of cartilage followed by (iii) the implantation of tumor cells with fibrin gel. The remodeling of the fibrin gel within the cartilage chamber, accompanying tumor proliferation, results in the formation of blood vessels, lymphatics and tissue matrix that can be readily distinguished from the pre-existing skin structures. Moreover, this method avoids the injection-enforced artificial spread of cells into the pre-existing lymphatic vessels. The tumors have a highly reproducible exponential growth pattern with a tumor doubling time of around 1.8 days, reaching an average volume of 85mm3 16 days after implantation. The melanomas are densely cellular with proliferative indices of between 60 and 80%. The induced angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis resulted in the development of well-vascularized tumors. Different populations of immunologically active cells were also present in the tumor; the population of macrophages decreases with time while the population of T cells remained quasi constant. The B16-F10 tumors in the ear frequently metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes, reaching an incidence of 75% by day 16. This newly introduced B16-F10 melanoma model in the ear is a powerful tool that provides a new opportunity to study the local tumor growth and metastasis, the associated angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and tumor immune responses. It could potentially be used to test different treatment strategies.
Highlights
The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide
A proper understanding of local tumor growth and invasion mechanisms is important to advance the treatments for melanoma [1]
The tumor was highly vascularized, with a near-exponential growth pattern and high proliferative rates. Both macrophages and T cells were present in the tumor, making it a relevant model for studies involving immune responses
Summary
The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide. The annual occurrence rates for new melanoma cases per 100,000 inhabitants are by 10–25 patients in Europe, 20–30 in the U.S.A. and 50–60 in Australia [1].To date, systemic therapies, including chemo-, immuno- and targeted therapy, are the most studied and most promising treatment alternatives. The annual occurrence rates for new melanoma cases per 100,000 inhabitants are by 10–25 patients in Europe, 20–30 in the U.S.A. and 50–60 in Australia [1]. In vivo studies are crucial to monitor the early local events such as tumor onset, expansion and invasion of adjacent tissue, local inflammatory and immune response, blood and lymphatic vessel development and metastasis propagation, events that are difficult to evaluate in vitro. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for the creation of new and more effective treatment strategies
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