Establishment of a Malignant Glioma Model in Rats

Abstract

Objective: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-2 and MMP-9 have been known to play an important role in glioma cell invasion. The aim of this study was to establish an experimental primary malignant brain tumor model using C6 glioma cells that can be successfully adapted to rats, and to investigate the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Methods: The author implanted C6 glioma cells into the brain of male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 250 and 300 g (aged 7 weeks). Animals in the control group model received 5 μl of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) instead of C6 glioma cell. Development of tumor, tumor volumes and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was investigated. Behavioral changes were assessed by the rotarod test after C6 glioma cell implantation. The lesion was observed grossly in the cerebral cortex at 1 week after surgery. Results: On hematoxylin-eosin (H & E) staining, increased cellularity and cellular atypia were observed in the C6 glioma cell implanted brain. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) study revealed high expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and estimated tumor volumes were increased time-dependently. The rotarod test showed that motor ability of rats implanted with C6 glioma cells reduced over time. Conclusion: This study demonstrated successful development of an experimental primary glioma model in rats through C6 glioma cell implantation. In IHC study, an increased expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was observed in tumor lesion. To identify the relationship between tumor growth and expression of MMPs, further quantitative and biochemical studies are needed.