Mouse models for gastric cancer: Matching models to biological questions

Abstract

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. This is in part due to the asymptomatic nature of the disease, which often results in late‐stage diagnosis, at which point there are limited treatment options. Even when treated successfully, gastric cancer patients have a high risk of tumor recurrence and acquired drug resistance. It is vital to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying gastric cancer pathogenesis to facilitate the design of new‐targeted therapies that may improve patient survival. A number of chemically and genetically engineered mouse models of gastric cancer have provided significant insight into the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to disease onset and progression. This review outlines the strengths and limitations of current mouse models of gastric cancer and their relevance to the pre‐clinical development of new therapeutics.

Dendritic cell‐derived TGF‐β mediates the induction of mucosal regulatory T‐cell response to Helicobacter infection essential for maintenance of immune tolerance in mice

“…Next, we infected the TGF‐β ∆DC mice and TGF‐β fl/fl mice with H. felis (10 8 CFU/mL H. felis via gavage 3 times over 5 days). H. felis was used as it produces more severe gastritis in mice and achieves higher levels of colonization compared to H. pylori 32‐34 . Our data show that after 6 months of H. felis infection, TGF‐β ∆DC mice developed more severe gastritis compared to control TGF‐β fl/fl mice, as evidenced by increased neutrophils, gland distortion, and metaplasia.…”

Establishment of a Human Gastric Cancer Xenograft Model in Immunocompetent Mice Using the Microcarrier‐6

“…Animal models have been extensively used to study the pathogenesis and metastatic mechanisms of gastric cancer and play an extremely important role in the evaluation of the efficacy and toxicity of therapeutic drugs [8][9][10]. At present, gastric cancer animal models mainly include the following: the induction model, the transplantation model, and the genetic engineering model [11]. Among the three types of models, the transplantation model is easily operated and thus widely used.…”

“…Among the three types of models, the transplantation model is easily operated and thus widely used. The type of experimental animals, tumor xenografts, and the site and route of transplantation have been considered factors that affect the success of xenograft models [11]. Mice with defects in immune function, such as nude mice and mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), are commonly used for xenograft models [11,12].…”

“…The type of experimental animals, tumor xenografts, and the site and route of transplantation have been considered factors that affect the success of xenograft models [11]. Mice with defects in immune function, such as nude mice and mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), are commonly used for xenograft models [11,12]. However, due to the comparatively expensive cost, short life span, and the lack of immune response to tumors in immunodeficiency mice, we selected immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice for the xenograft model to avoid the shortcomings of immunodeficiency mice.…”

Is There a Role for the Non-Helicobacter pylori Bacteria in the Risk of Developing Gastric Cancer?

“…Some years later, using the same animal model it was confirmed that colonization with H. pylori can lead to the development of gastric cancer [ 21 ]. More recently, a report summarized the findings of several investigators who had developed a mouse model of gastric cancer in which H. pylori challenges were associated with the development of gastric cancer [ 22 ]. This model represents a major step forward in the study of H. pylori and its role in gastric cancer.…”