Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Using the Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane In Vivo Model to Study Gynecological and Urological Cancers
Published on: January 28, 2020
Tumor grafts grown on the chicken chorioallantoic membrane are distinctively characterized by MRI under functional
Conny F Waschkies1, Fatma Kivrak Pfiffner2, Dorothea M Heuberger3
1Center for Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Recently, a tumor model based on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was characterized structurally with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Yet, capability of MRI to assess vascular functional reserve and potential of oxygenation-sensitive MRI remain largely unexplored in this model. For this purpose, we compared MC-38 colon and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell grafts grown on the CAM, using quantitative T1 and T2* MRI readouts as imaging markers. These are associated with vascular functionality and oxygenation status when compared between periods of air and carbogen exposure. Our data show that in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell grafts T2* values increased significantly upon carbogen exposure (p < 0.004, Wilcoxon test; no change in T1), while MC-38 grafts displayed no changes in T1 and T2*), indicating that the grafts differ in their vascular response. Heterogeneity with regard to T1 and T2* distribution within the grafts was noted. MC-38 grafts displayed larger T1 and T2* in the graft centre, while in A549 they were distributed more towards the graft surface. Finally, qualitative assessment of gadolinium-enhancement suggests that A549 grafts display more prominent enhancement compared to MC-38 grafts. Furthermore, MC-38 grafts had 65% larger volumes than A549 grafts. Histology revealed distinct underlying phenotypes of the two tumor grafts, pertaining to the proliferative status (Ki-67) and cellularity (H&E). In sum, a functional gas challenge with carbogen is feasible through gas exchange on the CAM, and it affects MRI signals associated with vascular reactivity and oxygenation status of the tumor graft planted on the CAM. Different grafts based on A549 lung adenocarcinoma and MC-38 colon carcinoma cell lines, respectively, display distinct phenotypes that can be distinguished and characterized non-invasively in ovo using MRI in the living chicken embryo.
Insights
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can assess tumor oxygenation and vascular function in a chicken embryo model. Different tumor types, A549 lung and MC-38 colon, show distinct responses to carbogen gas, enabling non-invasive characterization.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model is a valuable tool for preclinical tumor research.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been used for structural characterization of CAM tumors.
- The potential of MRI for assessing vascular functional reserve and oxygenation in CAM models is underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the capability of MRI to assess vascular functional reserve and oxygenation status in CAM tumor models.
- To compare the vascular response of MC-38 colon and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell grafts to carbogen exposure using MRI.
- To investigate the potential of quantitative T1 and T2* MRI readouts as imaging markers for tumor characterization in ovo.
Main Methods:
- MC-38 colon and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell lines were grafted onto the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM).
- Quantitative T1 and T2* MRI were performed under air and carbogen exposure to assess vascular functionality and oxygenation.
- Histological analysis (Ki-67, H&E) was conducted to correlate MRI findings with tumor phenotypes.
Main Results:
- A549 grafts showed increased T2* values upon carbogen exposure, indicating altered oxygenation, while MC-38 grafts showed no significant changes.
- T1 and T2* signal heterogeneity was observed within grafts, with different spatial distributions for A549 and MC-38.
- Qualitative gadolinium enhancement was more prominent in A549 grafts, and MC-38 grafts exhibited larger volumes and distinct histological phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Functional gas challenges (carbogen) are feasible in CAM models, influencing MRI signals related to vascular reactivity and oxygenation.
- MRI can non-invasively distinguish and characterize distinct phenotypes of A549 and MC-38 tumor grafts in living chicken embryos.
- This study demonstrates the utility of MRI for in ovo assessment of tumor vascular function and oxygenation in preclinical models.
