Various organs of the body have distinct microenvironments with diverse
biological characteristics that can influence the growth of
tumors within them. However, the mechanisms underlying the interactions between
tumor and host cells are currently not well understood. In the present study, a dual-color fluorescence-tracing
glioma orthotopic implantation model was developed, in which C6 rat
glioma cells labeled with the red
fluorescent dye CM-Dil, and SU3 human
glioma cells stably expressing red fluorescence
protein, were inoculated into the right caudate nucleus of transgenic female C57BL/6 nude mice expressing
enhanced green fluorescent protein. The dual-color tracing with whole-body in vivo fluorescence imaging of xenografts was performed using a live imaging system. Frozen sections of the transplanted
tumor were prepared for histological analyses, in order to detect the presence of invading
tumor cells, blood vessels and cellular fusion. Dual-color images were able to distinguish between red
tumor cells and green host cells. The results of the present study suggested that a dual-color fluorescence-tracing
glioma orthotopic implantation model may be convenient for detecting
tumor location, angiogenesis, cellular fusion, and the tumor microenvironment.