Generation of Tumor Organoids from Genetically Engineered Mouse Models of Prostate Cancer

Summary

We show a method for necropsy and dissection of mouse prostate cancer models, focusing on prostate tumor dissection. A step-by-step protocol for generation of mouse prostate tumor organoids is also presented.

Abstract

Methods based on homologous recombination to modify genes have significantly furthered biological research. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) are a rigorous method for studying mammalian development and disease. Our laboratory has developed several GEMMs of prostate cancer (PCa) that lack expression of one or multiple tumor suppressor genes using the site-specific Cre-loxP recombinase system and a prostate-specific promoter. In this article, we describe our method for necropsy of these PCa GEMMs, primarily focusing on dissection of mouse prostate tumors. New methods developed over the last decade have facilitated the culture of epithelial-derived cells to model organ systems in vitro in three dimensions. We also detail a 3D cell culture method to generate tumor organoids from mouse PCa GEMMs. Pre-clinical cancer research has been dominated by 2D cell culture and cell line-derived or patient-derived xenograft models. These methods lack tumor microenvironment, a limitation of using these techniques in pre-clinical studies. GEMMs are more physiologically-relevant for understanding tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Tumor organoid culture is an in vitro model system that recapitulates tumor architecture and cell lineage characteristics. In addition, 3D cell culture methods allow for growth of normal cells for comparison to tumor cell cultures, rarely possible using 2D cell culture techniques. In combination, use of GEMMs and 3D cell culture in pre-clinical studies has the potential to improve our understanding of cancer biology. 

Introduction

Since the late 1980s, the ability to alter genes by homologous recombination has greatly advanced the study of biological systems¹. Inducible, tissue-, or cell-specific promotor systems and site-specific recombinases, such as Cre-loxP, has advanced genetic studies by facilitating control over genetic modifications both temporally and spatially^2,3,4. The combination of these genetic strategies has created a wide array of experimental model systems^5,6,7.

Protocol

Animal procedures described here were performed with the approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York.

NOTE: Male mice to be dissected to isolate prostates or prostate tumors for generation of organoids should have at least reached the age of sexual maturity — about 8-10 weeks of age. Specific ages of mice can vary amongst studies. Some factors to consider when choosing age include age-dependent changes in prostate cell populations, age-dependent expression of specific promoter-driven Cr....

Results

Representative necropsy images of a mouse with a large fluid-filled primary prostate tumor in the anterior prostate region are shown in Figure 2A. In contrast, Figure 2B, shows representative necropsy images of a mouse with a large solid primary prostate tumor for which individual prostate regions are indistinguishable. Fluorescent dissection images show the same solid prostate tumor from Figure 2

Discussion

Critical steps within the protocol for prostate tumor dissection and organoid generation
Removal of non-prostate tissue and fine dissection of the mouse prostate tumor is crucial for the optimal generation of cancer organoids since both non-prostate epithelial cells and normal prostate epithelial cells will generate organoids. For solid prostate tumors specifically, it is crucial to isolate areas of viable tumor to remove contamination with necrotic tissue that would reduce the number of viable cel.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
0.25% Trypsin+2.21 mM EDTA	Sigma	25-053
1 1/4 inch, 23 G, disposable syringe needles	Becton Dickinson	Z192430
10% neutral buffered formalin	Sigma	HT501128
32% paraformaldehyde	Electron Microscopy Services	15714
A83-01	MedChemExpress	HY-10432
Advanced DMEM/F12+++	Gibco	12634
Analytical balance	Mettler Toledo	30216623
B27 (50x)	Gibco	17504044
Collagenase II	Gibco	17101015
Dissecting Board	Thermo-Fisher	36-1
EHS Sarcoma matrix, Pathclear Lot#19814A10	Manufactured by Trevigen	Requistitioned from the National Cancer Institute at the Frederick National Laboratory	Holder of grants from the National Cancer Institute can request matrix
HEPES (1 M)	Sigma	25-060
human recombinant Epidermal growth factor (EGF)	PeproTech	AF-100-15
L-glutamine (200 mM)	Sigma	25-005
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine	Sigma	A9165
Penicillin-Streptomycin	Sigma	P4333
Precision balance	Mettler Toledo	30216561
Scalpel #23	World Precision Instruments	504176
Scalpel Handle #7, 16 cm	World Precision Instruments	500238
Single-edge carbon razor blade	Fisherbrand	12-640
Stainless steel dissecting scissors, 10 cm, straight	World Precision Instruments	14393
Stainless steel Iris forceps, 10 cm, curved tip, serrated	World Precision Instruments	15915
Stainless steel Nugent utility forceps, straight tip, serrated	World Precision Instruments	504489
Y-276632 (Rock Inhibitor)	APExBIO	A3008