Morphology and function of human benign tumors and normal thyroid tissues maintained in severe combined immunodeficient mice

In the improved SCID (severe combined immunodeficient) mice, various human benign tumors of the head and neck region were well maintained morphologica lly and functionally for 3 years until the experiments were terminated, e.g . transplanted parathyroid adenoma secreted parathyroid hormone (PTH) in th e SCID mice for more than 1 year. Normal human thyroid tissue was also well maintained in the SCID mice for 3 years. Rapid and high uptake of radioiod ine into the transplanted human thyroid tissue was observed. Furthermore, t ransplanted human thyroid tissue secreted thyroid hormone (T-3) and T-3 sec retion was stimulated by the injection of human thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). These findings suggest that the improved SCID mice will provide an invaluable experimental system for investigating the function of normal hum an tissues and the influence of endogenous and exogenous factors on human t issues. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.