Construction of a mouse model of AML-M4 leukaemia by tail vein injection of WEHI-3 cells
ZHANG Xin
HAN Yunqi
LYU Wei
LI Wenyan
XIAO Yunfeng
Abstract：Objective To establish the mouse model of acute myeloid leukemia(AML)subtype M4 through the tail vein injection of WEHI-3 cells,providing an experimental model for the study of this type of leukemia.Methods Twen-ty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank group and model group,with 10 mice in each group.Mice in the model group were injected via the tail vein with a solution of WEHI-3 cells(cell density of 5×107/mL)at a volume of 0.2 mL,while mice in the blank group received an equivalent volume of sterile PBS via the tail vein.The day before the tail vein injection was designated as D0,and the day of injection was designated as D1,with observations continuing until D29.Starting from D0,the physiological states of mice in the two groups were observed daily,including food and water in-take,mental state,fur condition,spontaneous activity frequency,and motor coordination.The body weights of mice in both groups were measured on D0,D7,D14,D21,and D28 to assess changes in body weight.Blood samples were taken from the orbital sinus on D0,D7,D14,D21,and D28,and a fully automated blood cell analyzer was used to detect pe-ripheral white blood cells(WBC),red blood cells(RBC),hemoglobin(HGB),and platelets(PLT).On D28,peripher-al blood smears were prepared,and on D29,bone marrow smears were made from the femoral marrow.Under the micro-scope,we observed the morphology of peripheral blood and bone marrow cells in mice.Results The physiological state of mice in the control group showed no abnormalities.In the model group,from D7 to D14,there was a noticeable reduc-tion in food intake and voluntary activity,accompanied by a disheveled and dull coat.From D14 to D21,the model group exhibited a continued decline in food intake and voluntary activity,along with disordered fur,lethargy,and a kyphotic pos-ture.From D21 to D28,the mice emaciated,with muscle atrophy and unsteady gait.The body weight of the model group on D7,D14,D21,and D28 was lower than that on D0,and also lower than that of the control group at the same time points(all P<0.05).The WBC counts in the peripheral blood of the model group on D7,D14,D21,and D28 were higher than those on D0,and also higher than those of the control group at the same time points(all P<0.05).The RBC counts in the peripheral blood of the model group on D21 and D28 were lower than those on D0,and also lower than those of the con-trol group at the same time points(all P<0.05).HGB counts in the peripheral blood of the model group mice on D14,D21,and D28 were lower than those on D0,and also lower than those of the control group at the same time points(all P<0.05).The PLT counts in the peripheral blood of the model group mice on D7,D14,D21,and D28 were lower than those on D0,and also lower than those of the control group at the same time points(all P<0.05).The peripheral blood smears of the blank group exhibited normal distribution characteristics of blood cells.In contrast,the peripheral blood smears of the model group showed a significant increase in the proportion of monocytes,which appeared either round or irregular in shape.The nucleoli were predominantly single,either round or irregular,with a deep purplish-red color.Occasionally,lobulated forms were observed,and the cytoplasm was abundant,presenting a gray-blue or pale pink hue.The bone mar-row cells of the blank group displayed regular morphology,with no pathological cells or nuclear abnormalities detected.Conversely,the bone marrow of the model group revealed a marked increase in the number of blast cells and immature cells,which were round or oval in shape.The nuclear morphology was abnormal,with the chromatin exhibiting a fine,loose reticular structure.Nuclear membrane indentations and folds were visible,and the number and size of nucleoli in-creased.Additionally,the cytoplasm showed enhanced basophilia,containing a small number of vacuoles.Conclusions The AML-M4 type leukemia mouse model was successfully established using the tail vein injection of WEHI-3 cells.The model mice exhibited decreased body weight,increased peripheral blood WBC count,and decreased peripheral blood HGB,RBC,and PLT levels.Additionally,there was an increase in peripheral blood monocytes,and an abnormal in-crease in progenitor and immature cells in the bone marrow,which was consistent with the pathological features of AML-M4 type leukemia.
Keywords：leukaemiaacute myeloid leukaemiaWEHI-3 cellsanimal modelBALB/c micetail vein injec-tion method
Publication Date：2025-07-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 60-65 )