Immunocompetent murine model of cancer cachexia for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head Neck. 2008 Mar;30(3):320-6. doi: 10.1002/hed.20698.

Abstract

Background: Muscle wasting and weight loss were observed when carcinomas were induced in a murine model of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Our hypothesis was C3H/HeN mice would develop evidence of cachexia when injected with tumor cells

Methods: Age- and weight-matched female mice were injected with SCCF/VII cells. Daily food intake and weights were measured. Body composition and analysis of circulating cytokines was performed. At the completion of experiments, hind legs were weighed. Muscle atrophy was detected using analysis for muscle ring finger 1 (MuRF1). The tumor-derived lipid mobilizing factor (LMF) was measured.

Results: Despite increased food intake, tumor-bearing mice lost weight and experienced reduced hind leg weights. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) was increased and MuRF1 was present in tumor-bearing mice but not controls. LMF was present in SCCF/VII cells.

Conclusion: In this immunocompetent murine model, we demonstrated the development of cancer cachexia in mice inoculated with SCCF cells, which express LMF. There was increased serum IL-1beta, weight loss, and muscle wasting and atrophy in tumor-bearing mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cachexia / etiology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / complications*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Hindlimb
  • Immunocompetence*
  • Interleukin-1alpha / blood
  • Interleukin-1beta / blood
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscular Atrophy / etiology
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-1alpha
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • lipid mobilizing substance
  • TRIM63 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases