Intraperitoneal Injection of Cells: A Method of Delivering Cancer Cells into the Peritoneal Adipose Tissue of Murine Model

The peritoneal cavity is the space between the abdominal wall and the lining of the internal organs. For intraperitoneal injection, begin by restraining a live mouse by its neck region such that the mouse’s head tilts downward with its ventral abdomen exposed.

Restraining the mouse restricts its movement and shifts the abdominal organs towards the diaphragm, preventing accidental damage to the organs during needle insertion.

Adjacent to the midline across the mouse’s abdomen, in the lower right quadrant, locate a point for needle insertion. This site prevents the risk of puncturing the caecum.

Next, take a syringe containing a single cell suspension of ovarian cancer cells. Insert the needle at the chosen point to a depth of approximately half a centimeter to penetrate just the outer abdominal wall. Finally, inject the cancer cell suspension slowly. This ensures efficient distribution of cells within the peritoneal cavity.

Return the mouse to its cage and monitor it for tumor growth. The tissues within the peritoneal cavity may release specific chemotactic molecules that attract the cancer cells leading to their migration and colonization, eventually contributing to tumor development.