What is the significance of using immunodeficient mice?

Immunodeficient mice allow researchers to study cancer cell behavior without the influence of an active immune response.

How do cancer cells interact with the extracellular matrix?

Cancer cells bind to ECM polysaccharides, which facilitates their attachment and migration within the pleural cavity.

What are the implications of pleural effusion in lung cancer?

Pleural effusion can indicate advanced disease and may complicate treatment options for lung cancer patients.

What methods are used to monitor tumor growth in this model?

Tumor growth is monitored through physical examination and imaging techniques to assess pleural effusion and nodule size.

Can this model be used for testing new cancer therapies?

Yes, the model can be utilized to evaluate the efficacy of new therapeutic agents targeting lung cancer dissemination.

Establishing a Mouse Model of Pleural Disseminated Lung Cancer

JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments

Immunology

0 views • 2:36 min • July 8th, 2025

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To begin, prepare an immunodeficient mouse.

Using an assembly with a bent needle tip, inject a lung cancer cell suspension into the thoracic cavity.

The cancer cells reach the pleura containing a small amount of pleural fluid.

These cancer cells' receptors bind to specific ECM polysaccharides produced by the mesothelial cells lining the pleura, facilitating cell attachment to the pleural surface.

The cancer cells process these polysaccharides, causing increased cancer cell migration toward the surface. They also release proteolytic enzymes and autocrine growth factors.

Proteolytic enzymes degrade the ECM proteins, promoting cancer cell invasion.

The absence of a functional immune system and the presence of autocrine growth factors, allow the unrestricted proliferation of the cancer cells, forming tumor nodules.

Over time, tumor nodules grow and disseminate within the pleural cavity, disrupting the normal physiological fluid balance.

This results in fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion.

To set up a mouse dissemination model, use polystyrene foam to make a stopper, and disinfect it with 70% ethanol. Attach the needle to the stopper with the tip extending 5 millimeters out of the stopper. Bend the tip of a 30-gauge needle with clean forceps or against a hard object cleaned with 70% ethanol, and fill a syringe with 1 x 10⁶ target tumor cells in 100 microliters of PBS.

Confirm a lack of response to pedal reflex in an anesthetized 19- to 21-gram 8- to 12-week-old female homozygote athymic nude mouse. Insert the needle into the chest through the intercostal space, moving the needle up and down to avoid contacting the ribs. When the tip has passed through the intercostal space, position the syringe so that it is pressed against the mouse and eject the entire volume of target cells. After the injection, roll the mouse 2 to 3 times to spread the cells throughout the thoracic cavity and return the mouse to its cage with monitoring until full recovery.