2.2. U87-MG glioma orthotopic model

Mice were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection with 0.2 mL 0.6% sodium pentobarbital and immobilized in a stereotactic frame. A hole located 3 mm to the right and 0.5 mm anterior to the bregma was drilled into the skull. U87-MG glioblastoma cells were harvested and resuspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to a concentration of 2 × 10⁵ cells/μL. The needle of a Hamilton micro-syringe was inserted through the borehole to a depth of 3.3 mm where the right striatum is located. An aliquot of 5 μL of cells was slowly injected into this area at a rate of 1 μL/min, and the needle was slowly withdrawn 5 min after cell injection.