Effects of targeting magnetic drug nanoparticles on human cholangiocarcinoma xenografts in nude mice

BACKGROUND: Targeting is a new therapeutic tool for malignant tumor as a result of combining nanotechnology with chemotherapeutics. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of magnetic nanoparticles enveloping a chemotherapeutic drug on human cholangiocarcinoma xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: The human cholangiocarcinoma xenograft model was established in nude mice with the QBC939 cell line. The nude mice were randomly assigned to 7 groups. 0.9% saline or magnetic nanoparticles, including high (group 2), medium (group 4) and low (group 5) dosages, were given to nude mice through the tail vein 20 days after the QBC939 cell line was implanted. Calculations were made 35 days after treatment in order to compare the volumes, inhibition ratios and growth curves of the tumors in each group. Mice in each group were sacrificed randomly to collect tumor tissues and other organs for electron microscopy and pathological examination. RESULTS: The high and medium dosage groups were significantly different from the control group (P<0.05). The tumor inhibition ratios for the high, medium and low dosage groups were 39.6%, 14.6% and 7.9%, respectively. The tumor growth curve of groups 5, 4, and 2 changed slowly in turn. The high and medium groups showed cell apoptosis under an electron microscope. CONCLUSION: Magnetic nanoparticles can inhibit the growth of human cholangiocarcinoma xenografts in nude mice.

Antitumor effects of artesunate on human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells and IGF-IR expression in nude mice xenografts

Purpose： The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor effects and analyze the mechanism of artesunate （ART） action on breast cancer in vivo using tumor transplanted nude mice. Methods： The human breast tumor cell line MCF-7 was transplanted into nude mice, and the animals were treated with various doses of ART alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide （CTX） or normal saline （NS）. The tumor inhibitory effects were observed and compared, and the ultrastructural morphology of the transplanted tumor cells was observed by electron microscopy. The apoptosis rates and cell cycle status were detected by flow cytometry （FCM）. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins p53, Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 were detected by immunohistochemistry and IGF-IR was detected by western blot. The expression correlation for these proteins was also analyzed. Results： The tumor inhibition rates in the low dose ART group, high dose ART group, CTX group and combined drug therapy group were （24.39±10.20）%, （40.24±7.02）%, （57.01±5.84）% and （68.29±5.1）%, respectively. The cell cycle was arrested in phase G0/Gt after treatment with ART. The expression of Bcl-2 was significantly reduced, and the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly increased in the ART group compared to the negative control saline group. There was no significant difference detected in p53 expression. The Bcl-2 level was negatively related to Bax and Caspase-3. The western blotting results showed IGF-IR downregulation. Conclusions： ART inhibits the growth of MCF-7 breast tumor cell xenografts in nude mice. The anti-tumor mechanism of ART for human breast carcinoma in nude mice might be correlated with the alteration of apoptosis related protein expression, which may further induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation.

Antitumor Activities and Apoptosis-regulated Mechanisms of Fermented Wheat Germ Extract in the Transplantation Tumor Model of Human HT-29 Cells in Nude Mice

Objective A subcutaneous transplantation tumor model of human HT-29 cells in nude mice was established to evaluate anticarcinogenic activities, and the apoptosis-regulated mechanism effect of aqueous extract of fermented wheat germ with Lactobacillus plantarum dy-1 （LFWGE）. Methods The HT-29 cells were transplanted via subcutaneous injection of 1×10^7cells into the right flank of each nude mouse. Then, nude mice were treated for 30 d with LFWGE （high-dose 2 g/kg/d; low-dose 1 g/kg/d） and for 7 d with 5-fluorouracil （5-FU, 25 mg/kg/d） by gavage and intraperitoneal injection, respectively. An inhibition of tumor growth was observed. Results Tumor volume and weights decreased significantly in both groups of nude mice treated with LFWGE. In addition, the cell apoptosis rate of the LFWGE group （2 g/kg/d, 60.2%＋4.4%; 1 g/kg/d, 58.6%＋6.9%） was significantly higher than that of the control group （11.5%＋1.6%） and 5-FU group （32.1%＋3.5%） as measured by the TUNEL assay. Moreover, the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot method further confirmed these enhancing apoptosis and growth inhibition effects. The involvement of LFWGE in inducing apoptosis was confirmed by the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and CyclinD1. Conclusion The results showed that LFWGE could induce subcutaneous transplantation tumor apoptosis in nude mice and could be as a natural nutrient supplements or chemopreventive agent in the treatment of human colon cancer.

Functional Mechanism of Resveratrol in Inhabiting Growth of Cells ls174t and Its Mechanism in Subcutaneously Transplanted Tumor of Nude Mice

To explore the functional mechanism of Resveratrol against colon cancer cells ls174t and the growth of colon cancer tissue of tumor-bearing mice, MTT method was used to observe the functions of resveratrol for inhibition against cells ls174t in vitro. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the cell apoptosis. FCM assay was performed to measure the change of the cell apoptosis rate and of cell cycle. RT-PCR method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax mRNA. Western blot method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax protein. Ceils ls174t were transplanted subcutaneously to nude mice to observe the effect of resveratrol on the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumor, RT-PCR method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax mRNA in the tumor tissue. Western blot method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax protein in the tumor tissue. Resveratrol has an effect of inhibiting proliferation of cells ls174t in vitro（P〈0.01）. It is able to induce the apoptosis of cells ls174t, causing the decrease in the expression of bcl-2 and the increase in the expression of bax. Resveratrol could inhibit the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumor of nude mice（P〈0.05）, causing the decrease in the expression of bcl-2 and the increase in the expression of bax. Resveratrol can inhibit the growth of cells 174t and the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumor. The mechanism is possibly related to the induction of the cell apoptosis and the regulation of bcl-2/bax expression.

Effect of Quercetin on Breeding and Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer HeLa Cell and on Growth of Transplanted Tumor in Nude Mice

Effect of quercetin on HeLa cell system of cervical cancer was studied by methods of MTT and Annexin V-FITC/PI. The results show that quercetin has functions of inhibiting breeding of HeLa cells and inducing apoptosis of the cells. The total apoptosis rate is positively proportional to reaction duration and concentration of quercetin used. The maximum apoptosis rate being （88.76±2.35）% was obtained when the concentration was 50.0 μmol/L and the cells were treated with quercetin for 72 hours. Based on establishing a model of tumor of cervical cancer transplanted into nude mice, quercetin of different concentrations was injected into abdominal cavity of nude mice and situation of tumor growth was reviewed. The result showed that with quercetin concent＇ration increasing from 0 to 100.0 μmol/L, the transplantation volume and weight of the tumors decreased from （279.59±70.58） mm^3 and （0.145±0.019） g to （128.72±36.12） mm^3 and （0.089± 0.019） g respectively, while apoptosis rate of the transplanted tumor increased from （9.63±1.85）% to （34,98±0.47）%, which proved that quercetin inhibited increment of volume and weight of transplanted tumor in nude mice bodies.

Systemic study on the safety of immuno-deficient nude mice treated by atmospheric plasma-activated water

Cold atmospheric-pressure plasma is a new technology, widely used in many fields of biomedicine,especially in cancer treatment. Cold plasma can selectively kill a variety of tumor cells, and its biological safety in clinical trials is also very important. In many cases, the patient’s immune level is relatively low, so we first studied the safety assessment of plasma treatment in an immunocompromised animal model. In this study, we examined the safety of immuno-deficient nude mice by oral lavage treatment of plasma-activated water, and studied the growth status, main organs and blood biochemical indexes. Acute toxicity test results showed that the maximum dose of plasma treatment for 15 min had no lethal effect and other acute toxicity. There were no significant changes in body weight and survival status of mice after 2 min and 4 min of plasma-activated water(PAW)treatment for 2 weeks. After treatment, the major organs, including heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney, were not significantly changed in organ coefficient and tissue structure. Blood biochemical markers showed that blood neutrophils and mononuclear cells were slightly increased, and the others remained unchanged. Liver function, renal function, electrolytes, glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism were not affected by different doses of PAW treatment. The above results indicate that PAW treatment can be used to treat immuno-deficient nude mice without significant safety problems.

Antitumor Activities and Apoptosis-regulated Mechanisms of Fermented Barley Extract in the Transplantation Tumor Model of Human HT-29 Cells in Nude Mice

Objective A subcutaneous transplantation tumor model of human HT-29 cells was established in nude mice to study the anticarcinogenic activities and apoptosis-regulatory mechanistic effect of aqueous extract of fermented barley with Lactobacillus plantarum dy-1 （LFBE）. Methods HT-29 cells were transplanted via subcutaneous injection of 1 × 107cells into the right flank of each nude mouse. Then, nude mice were treated for 30 days with LFBE （high-dose 2 g·kg-1·d-1; low-dose 1 g·kg-1·d-1） and for 7 days with 5-fluorouracil （5-FU, 25 g·kg-1·d-1） by gavage and intraperitoneal injection, respectively. Results Tumor volume and weight decreased significantly in both groups of nude mice treated with LFBE. In addition, the cell apoptosis rate of the LFBE group was significantly higher than that of the control group and 5-FU groups as measured by the TUNEL assay. Moreover, the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot methods further confirmed these apoptosis-enhancing and growth-inhibiting effects. The involvement of LFBE in inducing apoptosis was confirmed by the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, and cyclin D1. Conclusion The results showed that LFBE could induce subcutaneous transplantation tumor apoptosis in nude mice and could be used as a natural nutrient supplement or chemopreventive agent in the treatment of human colon cancer.

RADIOIMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF XENOGRAFTED HUMAN GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA WITH ^(131)I-LABELED MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY RWS_(4) IN NUDE MICE

The monoclonal antibody (MAb) RWS4 specific to membrane-associated antigen of human gastric adenocarcinoma was purified by protein A-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography and labeled with 131I by chloramine-T method. 131-RWS,, was injected (65 μCi/10μg/0.2 ml, intraperitoneally) into the stomach cancer-bearing nude mice (solid tumor about 1 cm in diameter), and its biodistribution was studied by SPECT and gamma-counter over a peroid of 7 days. A clear image of transplanted tumor was observed on the 4th day, and the image became more clear on the 6th day. After SPECT scanning, the animals were killed on the 3rd to 7th day separately and radioactivity was detected in various organs. The ratios of T/NT were calculated. The results were shown as follows: tumor/blood, was 3.41±0.29 on the 6th day and the tumor/other organs (liver, spleen, stomach, lung, heart, kidney and brain etc.) were>3. The specificity of the 131I-RWS4 was 7.74±0.65.

RESEARCHES ON THE ANTI-AUTOLOGOUS TUMOR EFFECTS OF HUMAN CANCER-KILLING CELLS IN NUDE MICE

An investigation of human splenic LAK cells killing autologous tumor in vivo has been performed in this study. Briefly, an ovary embryo carcinoma (OEC) removed surgically from patient was transplanted Into nude mice (s. c. ) and cultured in vitro, that would be used as targets. Lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells were generated from splenic lymphocytes of the OEC patient, who died two and half months after operation, by co- culture with recombinant human interleukin- 2 ( rIL- 2 ) in vitro. The results from Winn' s test in nude mice suggested that these LAK cells could effectively inhibit the tumorlgenicity of autologous tumor m vitro.

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF DEMO ON THE GROWTH OF TRANSPLANTED HUMAN COLON CANCER IN NUDE MICE

A human colon cancer cell line Hce- 8693 was heterotransplanted in nude mice. Polyamine blosythesis Inhibitor a- dlfiuoromethylomithine (DFMO ) show a marked reproducible inhibition in this model. The size and weight of transplanted tumor In DFMO group were smaller than those of the control group and the average inhibition rate was 72.8% (P < 0.001) . DFMO showed higher tumor inhibitory rate than 5-Fu (35. 4%) (P<0. 001) . Furthermore. DFMO demonstrated less severe bone marrow inhibition in the nude mice than 5-Fu (20. 0% Vs 53. 2%. P<0. 001) .There was no synergistic action in these two drugs at the experimental dose. The concentration of putrescine and spermidine in the plasma and tumor tissue in the DFMO group were 70% lower than those of the control group (P<0. 001) . These results indicate that the anti-tumor effect of DFMO might be explained by the inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis and this study provides an experimental basis for future clinical application of DFMO.

NEOPLASTIC CELL APOPTOSIS IN NUDE MICE TRANSPLANTS WITH NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA CELL LINES

Objective: To observe the morphological features of neoplastic cell apoptosis developed in nude mice transplants with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines, CNE-1 and CNE-2, and to investigate the roles of p53, bcl-2 and bax playing in the process of apoptosis. Methods: CNE-1 and CNE-2 cell lines were inoculated and passed in nude mice for 3 generations. The cell apoptosis was detected on H & E and TUNEL staining slides. The expression of p53, bcl-2 and bax were detected by using immunohistochemistry. p53 gene alteration was assayed in cell lines and transplants by PCR-SSCP. Results: A considerable number of neoplastic cells underwent apoptosis in CNE-1 and CNE-2 transplant tissues. The “shrinkage necrosis” and apoptotic bodies were the main appearances of apoptosis. The p53 alteration was detected in exon 8 by PCR-SSCP and p53 protein accumulation observed in the cell smears and nude mice transplant tissue sections. All the transplant tissue sections of 3 passages showed bcl-2 negativity and bax overexpression. Conclusion: The neoplastic cells of CNE-1 and CNE-2 transplants underwent death mainly taking the way of apoptosis. The “shrinkage necrosis” and apoptotic bodies were the main morphological features of apoptosis seen in those transplants. The apoptosis in CNE-1 or CNE-2 nude mice transplant is highly probable through a p53-independent and bax-mediated pathway.

Evaluation of Tumor Formation of Three Bladder Cancer Cell Lines in Nude Mice

This study examined the differences in tumor formation of three bladder tumor cell lines （BIU-87, T24 and EJ） after subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice, in order to find the best technique for establishing in vivo bladder tumor model. BIU-87, T24 and EJ cells at logarithmic phase were re-suspended in serum-free medium. The cells suspensions of the identical concentration were subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice and then the success rate and tumor growth were compared among the three cell groups. The results of tumor formation were pathologically evaluated. Lung, liver and kidney tissues were also pathologically examined for distant metastasis. The proliferation of the three cells were determined by immunohistochemically detecting the PCNA expression in the tumors. The results showed that the success rates of EJ and T24 cells were significantly higher than that of BIU-87 cells and no distant metastasis was noted among the three groups. The proliferation levels of EJ and T24 cells was significantly higher than that of BIU-87. But at the later stage of tumor formation, as compared with T24 cells, EJ grew more vigorously, soon resulting in the central necrosis of tumor, which affected the measurement of the actual size of the tumors. Moreover, PCNA staining exhibited that the proliferation of EJ and T24 was significantly higher than that of BIU-87 cells. It is concluded that as compared with BIU-87 cells, EJ and T24 cells had higher success rates, with not significant differences in death rate and distant metastasis found among them. There existed no significant difference in tumor formation between EJ and T24 cells and T24 cells do not rupture easily, which makes it a better cell line for the establishment of in vivo bladder tumor model.

ANTI-HUMAN LUNG GIANT CELL CANCER (PG) EFFECT OF HUMAN LAK CELLS IN VITRO AND IN NUDE MICE

Human LAK cells were prepared by culturing normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with or without rIL-2 and assayed for T cell surface markers as well as anti-tumor activity against PC in vitro and in nude mice. Although the percentages of T3, T4, and T8 positive cells in rIL-2-activated cells did not differ significantly from those of control cells in vitro, the former showed stronger cytotoxicity than control cells to PG tumor cells in vitro. In vivo, LAK cells completely inhibited the growth of PG tumor in nude mice, whereas PBMC control cells were to be of no effect. The anti-tumor effect of human LAK cells in nude mice may offer a useful model to study the role of human LAK cells against human tumor in vivo.

EFFECTS OF PSEUDOFYPE RETROVIRUS CONTAINING HUMAN N-RAS ANTISENSE GENE ON THE GROWTH OF HUMAN LIVER CANCER LTNM4 TRANSPLANTED IN NUDE MICE

An amphotropic pseudotype retrovirus containing human N-ras antisense gene was constructed and packaged with helper cells. It has been previously demonstrated that the virus did inhibit the growth of human hepatocarcinoma cell line PLC PRF/5 in vitro accompanied with the blockage of p21 expression. Based on these results, further study was carried on to examine the effect of these viruses on the growth of human hepatoma transplanted LTNM4 in nude mice. It has been shown that the retrovirus containing human antisense N-ras gene could inhibit the hepatoma in nude mice at a rate of 78% (P<0.05) as compared with saline control. No inhibition was observed in group treated with retrovirus which contained no N-ras sequence. These results in vivo lend further support that human N-ras antisense gene mediated by retrovirus could block the expression of the relevant oncogene and lead to the inhibition of cancer growth. It also provided the basis for further approaches of gene therapy for human cancer.

RESPONSE OF HUMAN RENAL CANCER TO UFT IN NUDE MICE

A primary human renal cell carcinoma was developed as a xenograft (NT-25) and maintained by serial transplantation in nude mice. The effect of UFT on this neogrowth was tested and evaluated as well its distribution in the animal tissues. The concentration of UFT was higher in tumor tissues than that in other tissues and in the animal experimentation UFT was found to be effective on human renal cell carcinoma.

A STUDY OF THE BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN HEPATOMA XENOGRAFTS IN NUDE MICE AFTER IRRADIATION

Cell growth kinetics and changes in AFP in nude mice with human hepatoma xenografts were evaluated using the flow cytometry method. After receiving 10 Gy of radiation, the mice showed a marked delay in tumor growth; approximately 1 Gy of radiation caused a tumor growth delay of one day. Irradiation altered various phases of the cell cycle. An acute and temporary block of G2 cells was characteristic; FCM measurements demonstrated that about 58% of cells were blocked in the G2 phase and this blocking effect lasted 90 hours after an irradiation of 10 Gy. This indicated that human hepatoma xenografts in nude mice were quite sensitive to irradiation. It was also noted that the AFP decreased for 96 hours after irradiation. Changes in G2 cells after irradiation may be closely related to changes in AFP.

Effects of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Phyllanthus reticulatus Leaves on Autophagy-related Proteins Beclin-1,ATG5 and LC3 in Nude Mice Xenograft Model of HCC

[Objectives]To explore the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Phyllanthus reticulatus leaves on autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1,ATG5 and LC3 by immunohistochemistry,and to preliminarily explore their effects on autophagy.[Methods]BEL-7404 Hepatocellular Carcinoma(HCC)nude mice model was established,and blank group(same volume of pure water),positive control group(20 mg/kg fluorouracil),high dose drug group(600 mg/kg),and medium dose drug group(300 mg/kg),and low dose drug group(150 mg/kg)were set up.After 2 weeks of intragastric administration,the nude mice were sacrificed,and the tumor tissues were taken out,processed by immunohistochemistry,and then made into paraffin sections.Photos were taken under an optical microscope(10×40),and evaluation and analysis were performed with the aid of the Image-Pro Plus 6.0 image analysis software.Differences were calculated using SPSS 20.0 software.The effects of drugs on autophagy-related proteins LC3,Beclin-1 and ATG5 were observed.[Results]Compared with the blank group,the medium and high dose groups of ethyl acetate extract of P.reticulatus leaves had the effect of promoting the increase of autophagy-related proteins LC3,Beclin-1 and ATG5(P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference between the low dose group of ethyl acetate extract of P.reticulatus leaves and the blank group(P>0.05).[Conclusions]The ethyl acetate extract of P.reticulatus leaves has a promoting effect on autophagy-related proteins LC3,Beclin-1,and ATG5.

MORPHOLOGICAL SURVEY ON ENDOGENOUS C-TYPE VIRUSES INFECTING A HUMAN LUNG SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA PASSAGED IN NUDE MICE

A human lung squamous carcinoma was transplanted and passaged in Swiss-DF nude mice, called LSX-83, for more than five years in our laboratory. The morphological characteristics of the original tumor were maintained in passages from 4 to 33. But from the 35th generation, an increasing amount of tonofilaments and nuclear segregation with typical features was found with electron microscopy. The C-type virus particles were first detected in extra cellular space after 40 passages. The viruses were observed in different stages of growth, but their distribution and number did not show apparent change up to 54 passages. Such findings suggest that LSX-83 cells probably possess certain barrier of resistance against C-type viruses. The relation between C-type viruses and the morphological changes of LSX-83 cells was discussed.

Orthotopical transplantation of human renal carcinoma tissue into nude mice and the establishment of a high metastatic cell line MRCC

Objective To establish a SOI model of human renal carcinoma and a high metastatic cell subline. Methods A human renal cell line RCC-9863 has been established by inoculating a human renal tumor tissue into nude mice s. c.. When RCC-9863 passaged for 20 times, the tissue from the same xemotransplant tumor were used to construct SOI model. Cultured the metastatic tissue in vitro, the tumor cell suspension was then injected orthotopically, The metastatic tissue obtained underwent the same procedure again. At last, the metastatic tumor was cultured in vitro and cloned. Results 15 days later, a tumor mass sized 1. 7 cm × 0. 6 cm in the nude mouse’s renal parenchyma was grown which lobulated, rude, and with multiply blood vessels and 55 days later later the mouse became moribund and metastases in the lungs were formed. The transplanted renal tumor in the SOI model grew fast and invasively and metastasized to lungs, lymphatic node and liver. A subline, MRCC, with metastatic ability to the lung was selected.