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Color-coded fluorescence imaging of tumor-host interactions

Nature Protocols volume 1, pages 928–935 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Fluorescent proteins have the properties of being very bright with high quantum yield and are available in many colors. Tumor-host models consist of transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in essentially all cells and tissues or expressing GFP selectively in specific tissues such as blood vessels. Particularly useful are the corresponding nude mice transgenic for GFP expression, as they can accept human tumors. When tumor cells expressing red fluorescent protein are implanted in mice expressing GFP, various types of tumor-host interactions can be observed, including those involving host blood vessels, lymphocytes, tumor-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, dendritic cells and others. The 'color-coded' tumor-host models enable imaging and therefore a deeper understanding of the host cells involved and their function in tumor progression. Approximately 4–8 weeks are needed for these procedures.

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Figure 1: Whole-body image of orthotopically growing HCT 116 RFP+ human colon cancer in a nude GFP mouse.
Figure 2: Visualization of angiogenesis in live tumor tissue 3 weeks after s.c. injection of B16F10 RFP+ melanoma cells in a transgenic GFP mouse.
Figure 3: Visualization of the interaction of host dendritic cells and tumor cells in fresh tumor tissue.
Figure 4: Visualization of macrophage-tumor interactions.
Figure 5: Interactions (arrows) of host stromal GFP+ fibroblast cell (arrowhead) and Dunning RFP+ rodent prostate cancer cells in live tumor tissue.
Figure 6: Intermediate-stage angiogenesis.
Figure 7: Visualization of intravasated tumor cells.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. AntiCancer, 7917 Ostrow Street, San Diego, 92111, California, USA

    Robert M Hoffman & Meng Yang

  2. Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, 92103-8220, California, USA

    Robert M Hoffman

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  1. Robert M Hoffman
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  2. Meng Yang
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Correspondence to Robert M Hoffman.

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Competing interests

R.M.H. is the president of AntiCancer, which has commercial activities in the area of fluorescent protein–based imaging and has a Technology Development with Olympus.

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Hoffman, R., Yang, M. Color-coded fluorescence imaging of tumor-host interactions. Nat Protoc 1, 928–935 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2006.119

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