Genomic DNA PCR analysis to assess xenograft development in mouse mammary gland

The mouse transplantation model remains the most relevant methodology to assess the functional capacities of mammary cells and is particularly appropriate for investigations regarding mammary stem cells, whatever the species studied. Following xenotransplantation in mice mammary fat pad, the development of the xenograft is commonly evaluated by immunohistology. Here, we present a simple and rapid method to control the species specificity of a xenograft based on genomic DNA PCR amplification. DNA is extracted from the fixed samples intended for histology, thus allowing the reuse of precious samples. Standard and digital droplet PCR (requiring low DNA quantities) methods have been used to make the present method suitable for the analysis of xenotransplanted samples.