Open AccessRESEARCH ARTICLE: An Orthotopic Skull Base Model of Malignant Meningioma
Author(s) -
Baia Gilson S.,
Dinca Eduard B.,
Ozawa Tomoko,
Kimura Edna T.,
McDermott Michael W.,
James C. David,
VandenBerg Scott R.,
Lal Anita
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
brain pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.986
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1750-3639
pISSN - 1015-6305
DOI - 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2007.00109.x
Subject(s) - meningioma , pathology , temozolomide , skull , medicine , malignant meningioma , matrigel , cerebrospinal fluid , biology , cancer research , glioma , angiogenesis , anatomy
Abstract Meningioma tumor growth involves the subarachnoid space that contains the cerebrospinal fluid. Modeling tumor growth in this microenvironment has been associated with widespread leptomeningeal dissemination, which is uncharacteristic of human meningiomas. Consequently, survival times and tumor properties are varied, limiting their utility in testing experimental therapies. We report the development and characterization of a reproducible orthotopic skull‐base meningioma model in athymic mice using the IOMM‐Lee cell line. Localized tumor growth was obtained by using optimal cell densities and matrigel as the implantation medium. Survival times were within a narrow range of 17–21 days. The xenografts grew locally compressing surrounding brain tissue. These tumors had histopathologic characteristics of anaplastic meningiomas including high cellularity, nuclear pleomorphism, cellular pattern loss, necrosis and conspicuous mitosis. Similar to human meningiomas, considerable invasion of the dura and skull and some invasion of adjacent brain along perivascular tracts were observed. The pattern of hypoxia was also similar to human malignant meningiomas. We use bioluminescent imaging to non‐invasively monitor the growth of the xenografts and determine the survival benefit from temozolomide treatment. Thus, we describe a malignant meningioma model system that will be useful for investigating the biology of meningiomas and for preclinical assessment of therapeutic agents.