In vitro model of cancer cell perineural invasion

Objective To explore an effective in vitro model to study cancer cell perineural invasion. Methods Dorsal Root Ganglions (DRGs) were harvested from the mice and seed in Matrigel. DRGs were incubated in 5% CO2-humidified incubator at 37 ℃. The neurites grew from the DRGs were studied. The culture media was collected and concentrated to detect kinds of cytokines secreted by the neurites. Cancer cells perineural invasion were studied. Results DRGs were cultured for 3 days, many neurites started to grow and its best condition was about 10 days, after 15 days, the neurites became to die. Kinds of cytokines, such as Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor receptor αl (GFRα1) were detected in the culture media and cancer cells have perineural invasion when co-culture with DRGs. Conclusion The model of cancer cell co-culture with DRGs in vitro is a feasible and appropriate model to study cancer cell perineural invasion. Key words: Cancer; Perineural invasion; Model; In vitro