Subcapsular transplantation of tissue in the kidney

Multiple sites can be used for the engraftment of primary human cells and tissues into murine hosts. For example, leukemias are usually best engrafted intravenously, but they can also be engrafted directly into the bone marrow cavity. Some solid tumors such as colon tumors grow successfully following subcutaneous engraftment, sometimes requiring provision of a Matrigel artificial basement membrane. In certain cases (e.g., human bladder cancer and ductal breast carcinoma), the use of the autochthonous site (bladder and mammary duct, respectively) is often most efficient, whereas the tumors can grow poorly when transplanted subcutaneously or heterochthonously. Here, we present a protocol for the surgical implantation of tissues under the kidney capsule. The kidney is especially suited for the transplantation of normal as well as malignant cells and tissues. It is very accessible, and transplanted tissues are well contained under the renal capsule in a highly vascularized site. Furthermore, the retroperitoneal location of the kidney, together with its separation from other organs, is advantageous both for imaging and biopsy.