TY - JOUR
T1 - Morphometrical characterization of two glioma models in the brain of immunocompetent and immunodeficient rats
AU - Saini, Marco
AU - Bellinzona, Mattia
AU - Meyer, Frerk
AU - Cali', Gaetano
AU - Samii, Madjid
PY - 1999
Y1 - 1999
N2 - Although several glioma models exist, systematic morphometrical studies on such experimental tumors are lacking. The purpose of this study was the quantitative assessment of how rat strains, cell lines, injection techniques and location affect tumors reproducibility and histopathological features. Glioma cells were implanted in 3 brain locations, with different injection techniques (free hand, stereotactic, water-tight device), variable volumes, cell concentrations and infusion rates. Tumors were developed from 2 rat glioma cell lines (9L and C6) in immunocompetent (Wistar and Fischer 344) and immunodeficient rats (New Zealand). Animals underwent daily neurological examination. At the scheduled time the tumors were macro and microscopically evaluated and a quantitative morphometrical analysis was performed. C6 gliomas appeared very infiltrative and irregularly shaped; 9L gliomas showed, by using the same injection technique, a grossly regular shape. Margins at the tumor-brain interface were macroscopically demarcated in the immunocompetent rats. In the nude rats, 9L tumors appeared microscopically more infiltrative, although regularly shaped, with a closer morphological resemblance to human gliomas. The implantation in the frontal area, anterior to the nucleus caudatus (3 mm anterior the coronal suture) gave reproducible tumor shape and size, no hydrocephalus and no early neurological deterioration. The use of a stereotactic technique or of a water-tight device, small volume (<10 μl) of cell suspension, low infusion rate were useful to reduce morbidity and to improve data reproducibility. No difference in morbidity and mortality were observed in immunocompetent and immunodeficient rats. The 9L glioma model with stereotactic implantation constitutes a good option for reliable morphometrical evaluation of tumor growth. We propose a location for tumor implantation anterior to the nucleus caudatus. This produced the longest symptom-free survival.
AB - Although several glioma models exist, systematic morphometrical studies on such experimental tumors are lacking. The purpose of this study was the quantitative assessment of how rat strains, cell lines, injection techniques and location affect tumors reproducibility and histopathological features. Glioma cells were implanted in 3 brain locations, with different injection techniques (free hand, stereotactic, water-tight device), variable volumes, cell concentrations and infusion rates. Tumors were developed from 2 rat glioma cell lines (9L and C6) in immunocompetent (Wistar and Fischer 344) and immunodeficient rats (New Zealand). Animals underwent daily neurological examination. At the scheduled time the tumors were macro and microscopically evaluated and a quantitative morphometrical analysis was performed. C6 gliomas appeared very infiltrative and irregularly shaped; 9L gliomas showed, by using the same injection technique, a grossly regular shape. Margins at the tumor-brain interface were macroscopically demarcated in the immunocompetent rats. In the nude rats, 9L tumors appeared microscopically more infiltrative, although regularly shaped, with a closer morphological resemblance to human gliomas. The implantation in the frontal area, anterior to the nucleus caudatus (3 mm anterior the coronal suture) gave reproducible tumor shape and size, no hydrocephalus and no early neurological deterioration. The use of a stereotactic technique or of a water-tight device, small volume (<10 μl) of cell suspension, low infusion rate were useful to reduce morbidity and to improve data reproducibility. No difference in morbidity and mortality were observed in immunocompetent and immunodeficient rats. The 9L glioma model with stereotactic implantation constitutes a good option for reliable morphometrical evaluation of tumor growth. We propose a location for tumor implantation anterior to the nucleus caudatus. This produced the longest symptom-free survival.
KW - Astrocytoma
KW - Brain
KW - Model
KW - Rat
KW - Tumor
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U2 - 10.1023/A:1006128825766
DO - 10.1023/A:1006128825766
M3 - Article
C2 - 10360479
AN - SCOPUS:0032912525
VL - 42
SP - 59
EP - 67
JO - Journal of Neuro-Oncology
JF - Journal of Neuro-Oncology
SN - 0167-594X
IS - 1
ER -