OBJECTIVETo form ACC-M-GFP cells by transfecting pEGFP-1 into ACC-M cells, and to build up lung metastasis model of adenoid cystic carcinoma for dynamic observation in simulated lung environment.

METHODSpEGFP-1 was prepared and then transfected into ACC-M cell lines by using cationic lipid-based gene transfer technique. After successive selection, the ACC-M-GFP cells were collected and inoculated in BALB/C mice. The simulated lung environment was built up, and dynamic observation was performed by laser confocal microscopy within four weeks after transfection.

RESULTSThe amount of fluorescent tumor cell colonies and the intensity of fluorescence gradually increased from the second week to the forth week after transfection. In the meantime, only a very small number of tumor cells had the ability to form clones.

CONCLUSIONSWe successfully built up a lung metastasis model of adenoid cystic carcinoma for dynamic observation. The model is suitable for capturing and analyzing metastatic tumor cells in early stage.