# PDX Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $218,828

## Abstract

Summary:
The PDX Core of the UP-PDTC is the primary experimental laboratory of the extensive xenotransplantation
program at the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN). Research into human cancers is increasingly dependent
on the transplantation of human tissues into highly immunocompromised mouse strains that allow various
degrees of humanization. The number and type of these models continues to increase. Over the last few
decades, researchers have developed models that lack T, B or NK cell function such as the NOD.Cg-
Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG)[1], the similar NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Sug/JicTac (NOG) [2] as well as mice
generated on this background with transgenes introduced to allow for expression of human growth factors or
cytokines that can enhance the engraftment, growth or function of human tissues. In other cases, transplantation
of multiple human tissues including fetal bone marrow, liver and thymus (BLT) allows for enhanced functionality
of engrafted tissue using the so called BLT mouse model[3]. Although there is relatively little by way of detailed
academic descriptions of the animal care requirements of these strains, multiple publications have demonstrated
that these strains are prone to infections and that such infections can change engraftment of human tissues or
behavior of human tissues after engraftment affecting experimental reproducibility and robustness [4-8]. Such
infections can impact on outcome of research experiments and this lack of reproducibility combined with the high
cost of maintaining these mouse strains has limited their adaptation and use. At UPENN, we have addressed
this concern by developing a specific Core facility, the Stem Cell and Xenograft Core (SCXC), which is focused
on maintenance of highly immunocompromised mouse strains and facilitating research. As shown below, we
have had wide acceptance and increasing use of our expertise and facility with numerous researchers adapting
patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models in particular. This success is due largely to a combination of an isolated
vivarium suite, development of facility specific standard operating procedures, and highly skilled and trained
personnel. UPENN has allowed us to adapt and utilize a 6 room suite in the Smilow Center for Translational
Research Building. Access to and animal husbandry within this suite is controlled by our animal staff. All users
must undergo training to access the SCXC animal suite and must adhere to strict sterility rules. The suite is
maintained using frequent cleaning and decontamination of all equipment on a routine basis. Using this space
and these guidelines, the animal use within the SCXC has increased to the point where we are providing 900
animals per month to users; space occupancy is currently running at 85% of predicted maximal capacity.
Importantly, we anticipate continued growth of animal use as we have helped to create our own mouse strains
using transgenic procedures performed within our suite, early ado...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10881939
- **Project number:** 5U54CA283759-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicolas Skuli
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $218,828
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-05 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10881939

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10881939, PDX Core (5U54CA283759-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-09-04 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10881939. Licensed CC0.

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