ABSTRACT
Objective To establish an orthotopic osteosarcoma nude mice model that co-expresses green fluorescent protein( GFP) , red fluorescent protein ( RFP) and luciferase for the purpose of monitoring the growth of osteosarcoma and screening drug candidates against osteosarcoma .Methods Human osteosarcoma cells of U 2-OS were infected with lentivirus carrying reporter gene .The reporter gene expression was verified by fluorescent microscopy and bioluminescence imaging.The cells were transplanted into tibia of the nude mice and monitored by bioluminescence imaging .Results The reporter gene was stably expressed in U 2-OS cells.The growth and metastsis of osteosarcoma could be detected in nude mice.Conclusion The established orthotopic osteosarcoma nude mice model is an ideal model for investigating the mechanism of growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma and for screening drug candidates against osteosarcoma .