Mouse acquired HPV tumor using dorsal skin-fold window chamber

Human papillomavirus (HPV) plays important role in developing several types of cancer especially cervical cancer. In order to understand the viral pathogenesis, the animal model of HPV infection is very necessary. This communication reports establishment of an animal model carrying implanted HeLa cells, a human cervical cancer cell line via dorsal skinfold window chambers. Nude mice were divided into 4 groups; each group contained different amount of HeLa cells, 2.5 x 10(5), 5 x 10(5), and 1 x 10(6) cells, and cell free medium (control), respectively. The results showed that even using the low number of HeLa cells (2.5 x l0(5)), the tumor microvasculature was developed at 2 weeks after implantation with the enlarged tumor margin which then progressed to tumor mass in the following week. The existing tumor was confirmed to be HeLa-cell type by PCR, in situ hybridization, and HPV genotyping. By using linear regression analysis, it indicated that means of tumor size from each group significantly increased in relation to number of HeLa cells used (R2 = 0.98, y = 0.1171x + 4.35). This mouse model will be useful for the further HPV studies particularly anti-cancer drugs efficacy.