Bioluminescence imaging evaluation of the inhibitory effect of rapamycin in nude mice bearing endometrial cancer cell lines

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of rapamycin (RAPA) in nude mice bearing endometrial cancer cell lines with different PTEN status. METHODS: HEC-1A (PTEN positive) and Ishikawa (PTEN negative) cell lines with stable expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) were established by transfection via lentiviral vector. The HEC-1A-GFP and Ishikawa-GFP cells were inoculated into the nude mice to prepare the subcutaneously xenografted tumor model. The dynamic growth of xenografted tumor was observed using fluorescence imaging system in vivo. After treated with RAPA, the volume and weight of transplanted tumors in nude mice were measured. Morphology of transplanted tumor tissues was observed by HE staining. RESULTS: The stable GFP-expressing endometrial cancer cell lines and xenografted tumor model were obtained. Optical imaging showed that the fluorescent intensity of treated group was apparently lower than that of the control. As compare with control group, the tumor volume and weight of treated group were significantly decreased (P<0. 05). The inhibition rates of treated group inoculated with HEC-1A cell line was 48. 1%, and that of treated group inoculated with Ishikawa cell line was 67. 1%. Rapamycin treated groups induced obvious necrosis of tumor cells in implanted tumor tissues. CONCLUSION: Rapamycin shows potent anti-tumor activity in endometrial transplanted tumor independent of PTEN stutas, and the sensitivity of endometrial tumor to rapamycinis enhanced when loss of PTEN.