A Novel Minimally Invasive Technique to Create a Rabbit VX2 Lung Tumor Model for Nano-Sized Image Contrast and Interventional Studies

Background

The rabbit VX2 lung cancer model is a large animal model useful for preclinical lung cancer imaging and interventional studies. However, previously reported models had issues in terms of invasiveness of tumor inoculation, control of tumor aggressiveness and incidence of complications.

Purpose

We aimed to develop a minimally invasive rabbit VX2 lung cancer model suitable for imaging and transbronchial interventional studies.

Methods

New Zealand white rabbits and VX2 tumors were used in the study. An ultra-thin bronchoscope was inserted through a miniature laryngeal mask airway into the bronchus. Different numbers of VX2 tumor cells were selectively inoculated into the lung parenchyma or subcarinal mediastinum to create a uniform tumor with low incidence of complications. The model was characterized by CT, FDG-PET, and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). Liposomal dual-modality contrast agent was used to evaluate liposome drug delivery system in this model.

Results

Both peripheral and mediastinal lung tumor models were created. The tumor making success rate was 75.8% (25/33) in the peripheral lung tumor model and 60% (3/5) in the mediastinal tumor model. The group of 1.0×10⁶ of VX2 tumor cells inoculation showed a linear growth curve with less incidence of complications. Radial probe EBUS visualized the internal structure of the tumor and the size measurement correlated well with CT measurements (r² = 0.98). Over 7 days of continuous enhancement of the lung tumor by liposomal contrast in the lung tumor was confirmed both CT and fluorescence imaging.

Conclusion

Our minimally invasive bronchoscopic rabbit VX2 lung cancer model is an ideal platform for lung cancer imaging and preclinical bronchoscopic interventional studies.     

放射性粒子125I联合TACE治疗兔VX2肝肿瘤的实验研究

目的:通过研究不同活度的125I粒子以及联合TACE治疗兔VX2肝移植癌的疗效及其病理基础,探讨125I粒子组织间植入治疗肝癌的有效性。方法:建立兔VX2肝癌模型。60只肝癌模型兔随机分成5组,对照组(A组)植入空白剂量(0mCi)125I粒子,B组植入1.0mCi125I粒子,C组植入0.7mCi125I粒子,D组植入0.4mCi125I粒子,E组植入0.7mCi125I粒子+TACE。观察植入前后各组肿瘤体积并计算抑瘤率,切除肿瘤组织及周围正常组织进行常规病理检查。结果:各治疗组肿瘤大小在治疗前后比较具有统计学差异(P<0.01),均小于同期对照组(A组)(P<0.01)。在不同观察时期抑瘤率差别均有统计学意义(P<0.05),各个组间抑瘤率差异在治疗后2周最为明显(P<0.01),但均高于D组(P<0.01)。治疗后6周病理提示D组部分组织内仍可见少量肿瘤细胞,而其余各治疗组均未见明显的肿瘤细胞残存,B组对周围肝组织损伤较大,C组、E组适中。总体疗效E组优于其余各治疗组。结论:125I粒子联合TACE治疗肝癌效果明显优于单一的治疗方案,是肝癌目前较为理想的治疗方案,其中单个粒子活度以0.7mCi左右较为适宜。     

A type-II DNA topoisomerase and a catenating protein from the transplantable VX2 carcinoma

It has recently been suggested that topoisomerases could be important targets for several DNA intercalating drugs used in cancer therapy. This prompted us to purify and characterize a type II topoisomerase in a highly tumorigenic transplantable rabbit tumor isolated from a skin carcinoma associated with cottontail rabbit papillomavirus. We have found that the decatenating activity present in tumor cells was 40-100 times higher than that in the rabbit liver, while no activity could be found in skin extracts. The type II topoisomerases purified from tumor and liver cells consist of two subunits with molecular masses of about 160 kDa. The conditions of the reactions of relaxation, unknotting and decatenation catalyzed by these topoisomerases II were found to be similar to those observed with enzymes of other eukaryotic cells. In the course of the purification of the VX2 enzyme, we isolated and characterized a protein of about 30 kDa in whose presence the topoisomerase II was able to catenate very efficiently supercoiled DNA molecules. This protein has the same electrophoretic mobility as an H1-2 histone, and cross-reacts with an anti-H1 antiserum. The VX2 topoisomerase II as well as the VX2 tumor should constitute useful models for assays of antitumoral drugs.     

The role of plasminogen in cell-mediated collagen degradation

The ability of VX2 tumour cells and chondrocytes to degrade radiolabelled collagen films was shown to be dependent on the presence of the serum proteinase plasminogen. Degradation of collagen films in the presence of plasminogen was inhibited by addition of exogenous TIMP indicating that such lysis was mediated by collagenase. VX2 cells required ten times less plasminogen than chondrocytes to effect comparable degradation; this result was probably related to the observation that VX2 cells did not synthesize the specific tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, TIMP.     

Evaluation of cancer stem cell migration using compartmentalizing microfluidic devices and live cell imaging

In the last 40 years, the United States invested over 200 billion dollars on cancer research, resulting in only a 5% decrease in death rate. A major obstacle for improving patient outcomes is the poor understanding of mechanisms underlying cellular migration associated with aggressive cancer cell invasion, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most prevalent primary malignant adult brain tumor, exemplifies this difficulty. Despite standard surgery, radiation and chemotherapies, patient median survival is only fifteen months, due to aggressive GBM infiltration into adjacent brain and rapid cancer recurrence. The interactions of aberrant cell migratory mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment likely differentiate cancer from normal cells. Therefore, improving therapeutic approaches for GBM require a better understanding of cancer cell migration mechanisms. Recent work suggests that a small subpopulation of cells within GBM, the brain tumor stem cell (BTSC), may be responsible for therapeutic resistance and recurrence. Mechanisms underlying BTSC migratory capacity are only starting to be characterized. Due to a limitation in visual inspection and geometrical manipulation, conventional migration assays are restricted to quantifying overall cell populations. In contrast, microfluidic devices permit single cell analysis because of compatibility with modern microscopy and control over micro-environment. We present a method for detailed characterization of BTSC migration using compartmentalizing microfluidic devices. These PDMS-made devices cast the tissue culture environment into three connected compartments: seeding chamber, receiving chamber and bridging microchannels. We tailored the device such that both chambers hold sufficient media to support viable BTSC for 4-5 days without media exchange. Highly mobile BTSCs initially introduced into the seeding chamber are isolated after migration though bridging microchannels to the parallel receiving chamber. This migration simulates cancer cellular spread through the interstitial spaces of the brain. The phase live images of cell morphology during migration are recorded over several days. Highly migratory BTSC can therefore be isolated, recultured, and analyzed further. Compartmentalizing microfluidics can be a versatile platform to study the migratory behavior of BTSCs and other cancer stem cells. By combining gradient generators, fluid handling, micro-electrodes and other microfluidic modules, these devices can also be used for drug screening and disease diagnosis. Isolation of an aggressive subpopulation of migratory cells will enable studies of underlying molecular mechanisms.     

放射性粒子^125I联合TACE治疗兔VX2肝肿瘤的实验研究

目的：通过研究不同活度的125I粒子以及联合TACE治疗兔VX2肝移植癌的疗效及其病理基础,探讨125I粒子组织间植入治疗肝癌的有效性。方法：建立兔VX2肝癌模型。60只肝癌模型兔随机分成5组,对照组（A组）植入空白剂量（0mCi）125I粒子,B组植入1.0mCi125I粒子,C组植入0.7mCi125I粒子,D组植入0.4mCi125I粒子,E组植入0.7mCi125I粒子＋TACE。观察植入前后各组肿瘤体积并计算抑瘤率,切除肿瘤组织及周围正常组织进行常规病理检查。结果：各治疗组肿瘤大小在治疗前后比较具有统计学差异（P〈0.01）,均小于同期对照组（A组）（P〈0.01）。在不同观察时期抑瘤率差别均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,各个组间抑瘤率差异在治疗后2周最为明显（P〈0.01）,但均高于D组（P〈0.01）。治疗后6周病理提示D组部分组织内仍可见少量肿瘤细胞,而其余各治疗组均未见明显的肿瘤细胞残存,B组对周围肝组织损伤较大,C组、E组适中。总体疗效E组优于其余各治疗组。结论：125I粒子联合TACE治疗肝癌效果明显优于单一的治疗方案,是肝癌目前较为理想的治疗方案,其中单个粒子活度以0.7mCi左右较为适宜。     

A perfusable 3D cell-matrix tissue culture chamber for in situ evaluation of nanoparticle vehicle penetration and transport

A key factor in gene or drug therapy is the development of carriers that can efficiently reach targeted cells from a distal administration. In many gene/drug delivery studies, results obtained in 2D cultures fail to translate to similar results in vivo. In this work, we developed a perfusable 3D chamber for studying nanoparticle penetration and transport in cell-gel soft tissue cultures. The compartmented chamber is made of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) top layer with the chamber features, created using micromachined lithography, bonded to a bottom glass coverslip. A solution of cells embedded in a hydrogel is loaded in the chamber between PDMS posts that serve as anchors to the cell-matrix at the gel-media interface. The chamber offers the following unique features: (i) rapid fabrication and simplicity in assembly, (ii) direct in situ cell imaging in a plane normal to the direction of flow or action, (iii) an easily configurable and controllable environment conducive cell culture under static or interstitial flow conditions, and (iv) facile recovery of live cells from chambers for post-experimental analysis. To assess the chamber, we delivered fluorescently labeled nanoparticles of three distinct sizes to cells-embedded Matrigels in the 3D chamber under flow and static conditions. Penetration of nanoparticles were enhanced under interstitial flow while live cell imaging and flow cytometry of recovered cells revealed particle size restrictions to efficient delivery. Although designed for delivery studies, the chamber is versatile and can be easily modified. Thus it may have broad applications for biological, tissue engineering, and therapeutic studies.     

Inhibition of type I collagen film degradation by tumour cells using a specific antibody to collagenase and the specific tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)

Rabbit VX2 tumour cells in culture produced a collagenolytic activity which was shown to be immunologically identical to collagenase from rabbit articular chondrocytes and bone. VX2 cells degraded type I collagen films spontaneously and did not produce detectable levels of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP). Chondrocytes, however, required both stimulation of collagenase synthesis and activation to effect lysis and were observed to make appreciable amounts of TIMP. The degradation of type I collagen films by VX2 tumour cells was significantly inhibited by both a specific antibody to rabbit collagenase and by purified TIMP, thus demonstrating the unequivocal role of collagenase in this model system.     

Cytotoxicity of organophosphate anticholinesterases

Summary Organophosphate (OP) anticholinesterases were found to modulate metabolic activities of human neuroblastoma cells and hepatocytes, which was detectable by the Cytosensor? microphysiometer. The nerve gas ethyl-S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphorothiolate (VX), at 10 μM, produced significant reduction in cell metabolism within 2 min, as measured by changes in the acidification rate of the medium. The reduction was dose-and time-dependent and irreversible after 4 h of exposure. Two alkaline degradation products of VX produced no cytotoxicity. Exposure for 24 h to 3 μM VX caused 36% and 94% irreversible loss of metabolism in hepatocytes and neuroblastoma cells, respectively. The insecticides parathion and chlorpyrifos stimulated hepatocyte metabolism but inhibited neuroblastoma cells. Their oxons were more active. Exposure of neuroblastoma cells for 4 h to VX, parathion, paraoxon, diisopropylfluorophosphate or chlorpyrifos gave an LC₅₀ of 65, 775, 640, 340, or 672 μM, respectively, whereas 24 h gave an LC₅₀ of 0.7, 3.7, 2.5, 29, and 31 μM, respectively. Preincubation of hepatocytes with phenobarbital enhanced their response to parathion and VX due to metabolic bioactivation. Atropine partially blocked the effects of VX and paraoxon on both cell types, which suggests the involvement of a muscarinic receptor as the target for cytotoxicity. There was no correlation between OP in vivo neurotoxicity and in vitro cytotoxicity. It is suggested that the former results from their cholinesterase inhibition, while the latter results from action on different targets and requires much higher concentrations.     

循环血游离Shope病毒DNA含量与兔VX2肿瘤18F-FDG PET/CT影像表现的相关性分析

目的:探讨循环血中Shope病毒DNA含量与兔VX2肿瘤18F-FDG PET/CT影像学特征间的关系及其临床意义。方法:采用组织块接种法建立兔VX2肿瘤模型,并行18F-FDG PET-CT观测肿瘤大小及糖代谢相关值,实时定量荧光探针PCR法检测肿瘤组织及血浆中Shope病毒特征性DNA片段含量。结果:移植前外周血中未检测出Shope病毒特异性DNA片段;移植后2周,VX2肿瘤组织和循环血中均可以检测到特征性Shope病毒DNA片段。瘤体内DNA含量明显高于循环血中含量。循环血Shope病毒DNA含量与FDG-PET的最大标准摄取值(SUVmax)明显呈正相关(r=0.943,p=0.005),但与肿瘤体积相关性尚不明确(r=0.657,p=0.156)。结论:循环血Shope病毒DNA有望作为一种潜在的VX2肿瘤标志物,其廉价、无创的特性,有望在肿瘤的早期诊断和预后随访中发挥优势。     

An improved chamber for direct visualisation of chemotaxis

There has been a growing appreciation over the last decade that chemotaxis plays an important role in cancer migration, invasion and metastasis. Research into the field of cancer cell chemotaxis is still in its infancy and traditional investigative tools have been developed with other cell types and purposes in mind. Direct visualisation chambers are considered the gold standard for investigating the behaviour of cells migrating in a chemotactic gradient. We therefore drew up a list of key attributes that a chemotaxis chamber should have for investigating cancer cell chemotaxis. These include (1) compatibility with thin cover slips for optimal optical properties and to allow use of high numerical aperture (NA) oil immersion objectives; (2) gradients that are relatively stable for at least 24 hours due to the slow migration of cancer cells; (3) gradients of different steepnesses in a single experiment, with defined, consistent directions to avoid the need for complicated analysis; and (4) simple handling and disposability for use with medical samples. Here we describe and characterise the Insall chamber, a novel direct visualisation chamber. We use it to show GFP-lifeact transfected MV3 melanoma cells chemotaxing using a 60x high NA oil immersion objective, which cannot usually be done with other chemotaxis chambers. Linear gradients gave very efficient chemotaxis, contradicting earlier results suggesting that only polynomial gradients were effective. In conclusion, the chamber satisfies our design criteria, most importantly allowing high NA oil immersion microscopy to track chemotaxing cancer cells in detail over 24 hours.     

兔脑种植VX2肿瘤动物模型的建立

目的建立兔VX2肿瘤脑内种植动物模型,观察其生长特性。方法采用兔脑内VX2肿瘤组织块种植法将VX2肿瘤组织块种植入24只成年New Zealand大白兔右侧大脑皮质内,用B超检测肿瘤的生长情况,在实验兔在肿瘤种植后第13、171、9、21、232、5天取材,进行组织学观察。并观察实验兔在种植VX2肿瘤后的生存期及出现厌食、偏瘫等神经系统体征和死亡的时间。结果VX2肿瘤组织块种植入脑内后荷瘤兔的中位生存期为24.5 d,平均生存期为24.8 d,肿瘤体积随种植后的时间在对数坐标中接近一条直线。VX2肿瘤种植入兔脑17 d后血供较丰富、呈鱼肉状生长,与正常脑组织边缘界限不清楚,第17~19天肿瘤中心出现坏死并出现腹腔内转移。光镜下从VX2肿瘤种植后第17天开始肿瘤细胞向正常脑组织浸润,并形成瘤巢,瘤周脑组织形成水肿带。结论在缺乏兔源性脑肿瘤的情况下,采用兔VX2肿瘤组织块颅内种植能较好模拟颅内肿瘤生长,为对脑肿瘤的某些实验研究提供条件。     

Adhesion of nonmetastatic and highly metastatic breast cancer cells to endothelial cells exposed to shear stress

The mechanical stimulus of shear stress has to date been neglected when studying the adhesion of cancer cells to the endothelium. Confluent monolayers of endothelial cells were subjected to either 4 or 15 hours of arterial shear stress. Adhesion of nonmetastatic (MCF-7) and highly metastatic (MDA-MB-435) human breast cancer cells was then quantified using a detachment assay carried out inside the parallel plate flow chamber. Four hours of shear stress exposure had no effect on adhesion. However, 15 hours of shear stress exposure led to marked changes in the ability of the endothelial monolayer to bind human breast cancer cells. An increase in adhesive strength was observed for nonmetastatic MCF-7 cells, while a decrease in adhesive strength was observed for highly metastatic MDA-MB-435 cells. Hence, endothelial shear stress stimulation does influence the adhesion of cancer cells to the endothelium and can have different effects on the adhesion of cancer cells with different metastatic potentials. Furthermore, adhesion of nonmetastatic and highly metastatic human breast cancer cells may be controlled by two different endothelial cell adhesion molecules that are differentially regulated by shear stress. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that shear stress did in fact differentially regulate endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression.     

Mechanics of the left ventricular myocardial interstitium: effects of acute and chronic myocardial edema

Myocardial interstitial edema forms as a result of several disease states and clinical interventions. Acute myocardial interstitial edema is associated with compromised systolic and diastolic cardiac function and increased stiffness of the left ventricular chamber. Formation of chronic myocardial interstitial edema results in deposition of interstitial collagen, which causes interstitial fibrosis. To assess the effect of myocardial interstitial edema on the mechanical properties of the left ventricle and the myocardial interstitium, we induced acute and chronic interstitial edema in dogs. Acute myocardial edema was generated by coronary sinus pressure elevation, while chronic myocardial edema was generated by chronic pulmonary artery banding. The pressure-volume relationships of the left ventricular myocardial interstitium and left ventricular chamber for control animals were compared with acutely and chronically edematous animals. Collagen content of nonedematous and chronically edematous animals was also compared. Generating acute myocardial interstitial edema resulted in decreased left ventricular chamber compliance compared with nonedematous animals. With chronic edema, the primary form of collagen changed from type I to III. Left ventricular chamber compliance in animals made chronically edematous was significantly higher than nonedematous animals. The change in primary collagen type secondary to chronic left ventricular myocardial interstitial edema provides direct evidence for structural remodeling. The resulting functional adaptation allows the chronically edematous heart to maintain left ventricular chamber compliance when challenged with acute edema, thus preserving cardiac function over a wide range of interstitial fluid pressures.     

Nanoliter scale microbioreactor array for quantitative cell biology

A nanoliter scale microbioreactor array was designed for multiplexed quantitative cell biology. An addressable 8 x 8 array of three nanoliter chambers was demonstrated for observing the serum response of HeLa human cancer cells in 64 parallel cultures. The individual culture unit was designed with a "C" shaped ring that effectively decoupled the central cell growth regions from the outer fluid transport channels. The chamber layout mimics physiological tissue conditions by implementing an outer channel for convective "blood" flow that feeds cells through diffusion into the low shear "interstitial" space. The 2 microm opening at the base of the "C" ring established a differential fluidic resistance up to 3 orders of magnitude greater than the fluid transport channel within a single mold microfluidic device. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element simulation were used to predict fluid transport properties based on chamber dimensions and verified experimentally. The microbioreactor array provided a continuous flow culture environment with a Peclet number (0.02) and shear stress (0.01 Pa) that approximated in vivo tissue conditions without limiting mass transport (10 s nutrient turnover). This microfluidic design overcomes the major problems encountered in multiplexing nanoliter culture environments by enabling uniform cell loading, eliminating shear, and pressure stresses on cultured cells, providing stable control of fluidic addressing, and permitting continuous on-chip optical monitoring.     

兔VX2肺外周肿瘤超声造影特征与CD31和CD34微血管密度的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨兔VX2肺外周肿瘤超声造影特征与CD31和CD34微血管密度的相关性研究。方法：15只雌性新西兰白兔进行VX2 肺肿瘤模型，总共有30个VX2 癌植入15只兔子的肺中。通过高倍镜分析不同期VX2肿瘤的MVD。通过双重免疫荧光化学染色分析不同生长期VX2肿瘤Ki67和CD31阳性表达。分析肿瘤形态学组织病理学结果与微血管分布和CEUS结果之间的相关性。结果：随着生长周期的进展，VX2肿瘤的MVD增大（P<0.05）。随着生长周期的进展，VX2肿瘤内Ki67和CD31的阳性表达率增加（P<0.05）。CEUS显示VX2 肿瘤在早期动脉期有明显的外周增强和短暂的内部增强。肺外周VX2 肿瘤中 PI和CD31 MVD值之间呈显著正相关性（r=0.734，P<0.05）。CD31 MVD和CD34 MVD之间呈负相关（r=-0.691，P<0.05）。PI和CD34 MVD值之间不存在显著相关性（r=-0.412，P>0.05）。结论：与CD34 MVD 相比，CD31 MVD 可以更有效地评估肿瘤血管生成。CEUS作为一种无创成像方法，可以有效评估兔周围型肺癌的肿瘤血管生成情况。     

Induction of VX2 carcinoma in rabbit liver: comparison of two inoculation methods

Direct injection of VX2 cell suspension into the liver is simple and widely used. Implantation of a fragment of VX2 tumour into the liver using a surgical technique has also been developed in the last decade. In this study, we compared these two methods in order to find a better modality for establishing VX2 liver mass. Forty rabbits, each weighing 2.8-3.2 kg, were divided into two groups, 20 rabbits in each. In Group 1, a tumour cell suspension containing 1 x 10(6) cells in a volume of 0.1 ml, was injected slowly into the liver parenchyma using a 27-gauge needle during laparotomy. In Group 2, a 1 mm(3) fragment of VX2 carcinoma was inoculated into the sub-capsule of the left anterior lobe of the liver. In Group 1, three rabbits showed no tumour growth and 10 rabbits showed evidence of leakage and tumour seeding outside of the liver. In Group 2, all but one rabbit showed tumour growth and none showed evidence of tumour seeding. The leakage rates were 50% and 0% for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Overall, the success inoculation rate was 35% for Group 1 and 95% for Group 2. In conclusion, to create the VX2 liver tumour model in rabbits, direct implantation of VX2 tumour fragment into the liver achieved better results than injecting cell suspension of VX2 tumour into the liver.     

Tumor Angiogenesis after Heated Lipiodol Infusion via the Hepatic Artery in a Rabbit Model of VX2 Liver Cancer

Objectives

This study aimed to observe the changes in tumor angiogenesis after heated lipiodol (60°C) infusion via the hepatic artery in a rabbit model of VX2 liver cancer.

Materials and Methods

Twenty rabbits with VX2 hepatic tumors were randomly divided into 2 groups (10 rabbits in each group). Under anesthesia, a trans-catheter hepatic arterial infusion was performed, and lipiodol (37°C; control group) or heated lipiodol (60°C; treated group) was injected into the hepatic arteries of the animals. Then, changes in tumor angiogenesis were assessed using the following markers and methods. 1. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression levels in the tumor were assessed using western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 2. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in the tumor was assessed through immunohistochemical staining. 3. The morphological changes in tumor vascular endothelial cells were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results

VEGFR and VEGF mRNA and protein expression levels were reduced in the treated group compared to the control group. PCNA protein showed reduced expression levels in the treated group compared to the control group. TEM indicated that the endothelial cell endoplasmic reticulum expanded, the chondriosome was swollen, and the endothelial cell microvilli were decreased after heated lipiodol infusion.

Conclusions

The tumor angiogenesis of rabbits with VX2 cancer was inhibited after arterial heated lipiodol infusion compared to lipiodol infusion.