Establishment of mouse model for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma induced by ultraviolet / 中华皮肤科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To establish a model for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma by irradiation of SKH-1 hairless mice with solar-simulated ultraviolet (solar UV), and to explore the biological characteristics of the model. Methods A total of 91 SKH-1 hairless mice were randomly divided into seven experimental groups (n = 10) and seven control groups (n = 3). The mice in experimental groups were irradiated with minimal erythema dose of solar UV 4 times per week for various durations (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 weeks), while the control mice received no irradiation. The general status and skin appearance of mice were observed during the treatment process. Mice were killed immediately after the last irradiation at different time points and pathological examination was carried out to observe the histological changes of skin lesions. Results Papules measuring equal to or more than 1 mm in diameter began to develop in some mice in experimental group 10 weeks after the first irradiation; tumors began to appear in 39.3% (11/28) of the remaining mice in experimental group on week 20, and in 100% (10/10) of the remaining mice on week 28. The cumulative dose approximated to 26.99 J/cm2 for UVB and 242.91 J/cm2 for UVA after 28-week irradiation. No tumor was observed in the control mice. Pathological examination revealed characteristic changes of squamous cell carcinoma in 30% of the mice on week 12, 33.3% on week 16, 60% on week 20, 87% on week 24, and 100% on week 28. Conclusions Ultraviolet could induce the hyperplasia of skin in SKH-1 hairless mice, and even cause the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma after prolonged irradiation.