Current laboratory models of lymphatic metastasis generally require either genetically modified animals or are technically challenging. Herein, we have developed a robust protocol for the induction of intralymphatic metastasis in wild-type mice with reproducible outcomes. To determine an optimal injection quantity and timeline for tumorigenesis, C57Bl/6 mice were injected directly into the mesenteric lymph duct (MLD) with varying numbers of syngeneic murine colon cancer cells (MC38) or gastric cancer cells (YTN16) expressing GFP/luciferase and monitored over 2-4 weeks. Tumor growth was tracked via whole-animal in vivo bioluminescence imaging (IVIS). Our data indicate that the injection of tumor cells into the MLD is a viable model for lymphatic metastasis as necropsies revealed large tumor burdens and metastasis in regional lymph nodes. This protocol enables a closer study of the role of lymphatics in cancer metastasis and opens a window for the development of novel approaches for treatment of metastatic diseases.

中文翻译：

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新型小鼠淋巴转移模型的发展。

当前的淋巴转移实验室模型通常需要转基因动物或技术上具有挑战性。在这里，我们已经开发出了一种可靠的方案，可以在野生型小鼠中诱导淋巴内转移，并具有可重复的结果。为了确定肿瘤发生的最佳注射量和时间表，将C57Bl / 6小鼠直接注射到肠系膜淋巴管（MLD）中，并用不同数量的表达GFP /荧光素酶的同系鼠结肠癌细胞（MC38）或胃癌细胞（YTN16）和在2-4周内进行监控。通过全动物体内生物发光成像（IVIS）追踪肿瘤的生长。我们的数据表明，将肿瘤细胞注射入MLD是可行的淋巴转移模型，因为尸检显示区域淋巴结中有大量肿瘤负担和转移。