Tumor Xenograft Models to Study the Role of TRP Channels in Tumorigenesis

This chapter is devoted to the study of the role of TRP channels in tumorigenesis in vivo using a tumor xenograft model in immunodeficient mice. Either cancerous cells naturally expressing TRP channels, or TRP channel stably expressing cancerous or normal cells, could be injected into immunodeficient mice. After grafting cells may grow in mice and form the solid tumors which can be measured and photographed. On reaching the critical allowed size the tumors are excised and consequently mice have to be sacrificed. Once excised, the tumors are photographed, weighted, and volume is measured. In addition, tumors may be subjected to further analysis as immunocytochemistry, western-blotting, PCR, etc. To confirm the role of a particular channel on tumorigenesis in vivo, some tumors could alternatively be treated in vivo with TRP channel-specific siRNA. Hence, tumor xenograft model using immunodeficient mice represents a valuable tool for the study of the role of TRP channels in carcinogenesis in vivo.