Syngeneic lymph-node-targeting model of green fluorescent protein-expressing Lewis lung carcinoma

The Lewis lung tumor has been extensively studied in both syngeneic and allogeneic mouse models. However, its metastatic potential and mechanism are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to develop a highly metastatic lymph-node targeting, imageable model of the Lewis lung carcinoma in a syngeneic host. We report here a syngeneic model of the Lewis lung carcinoma in which the carcinoma cells are labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP). The tumor cells were transplanted in the dorsal side of the ear of C57-B16 mice in order to give the tumor cells access to the lymphatic system. This model of the Lewis lung carcinoma extensively metastasized to numerous lymph nodes throughout the body of the animal as well as visceral organs, as visualized by fluorescence microscopy using the bright GFP signal. Twenty-one different metastatic sites, including lymph nodes throughout the body, were identified among the cohort of transplanted animals. The data demonstrate a predilection of the Lewis lung carcinoma for lymphatic pathways for metastasis throughout the animal body. The concomitant macrometastases to the visceral organs observed in this model may be remetastasis from the lymph nodes. This model of the Lewis lung carcinoma should be very useful in defining cellular trafficking and targeting mechanisms of metastasis, in particular those involving lymphatic pathways.