Matrigel augments xenograft transplantation of meningioma cells into athymic mice

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the use of Matrigel to enhance the growth of human meningiomas in athymic (nude) mice. Tumor take and growth of xenograft meningioma sells in an in vivo model grave previously been only partially successful. METHODS: The use of Matrigel has been reported to enhance tumorigenicity in a variety of solid tumors. This substance is derived from a mouse sarcoma and is a mixture of basement membrane proteins and growth factors. Meningioma cells obtained from human patients were placed in culture for 1 to 2 passages and then harvested and mixed with Matrigel and the mixture injected into the subcutaneous space in the flank of nude mice, Tumor volumes over time were measured at least three times a week and then harvested at 100 days postimplantation. Tumors were formalin-fixed, and histological examinations were performed. Immunohistochemistry was performed for human and mouse laminin, fibronectin, collagen Type IV, and epithelial membrane antigen. RESULTS: Tumors developed in all 40 mice studied. Growth of meningioma tumors was dependent on total number of cells injected and independent of the fetal volume of tumor cells and Matrigel matrix. Histologically and immunohistochemically, the xenograft tumors were very similar; to the original human tumors. CONCLUSION: Matrigel is relatively easy to use and has a high rate of histologically confirmed meningioma tumor formation in an athymic mouse model. We plan to use this model for studying the growth of meningiomas in vivo.