Melanoma transplants in “green” mice: Fluorescent cells in tumors are not equivalent to host-derived cells

Conclusions In a melanoma model in GFP mice, the detection of “green” cells in tumors was not equivalent to the detection of host-derived cells. Such “masking” was caused by a transient, but lasting, transfer of EGFP mRNA from the host's normal cells to tumor cells. Thus, an analysis of tumors postmortem by techniques that yield only a single snapshot can lead to incorrect interpretations and erroneous conclusions.
Source: Electronic Journal of Biotechnology - Category: Biotechnology Source Type: research