Name: ferric chloride-induced murine thrombosis models
Uploaded: 2016-09-05T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Ferric Chloride-induced Murine Thrombosis Models at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health under award numbers R01 HL121212 (PI: Sen Gupta), R01 HL129179 (PI: Sen Gupta, Co-I: Li) and R01 HL098217 (PI: Nieman). The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

All procedures and manipulations of animals have been approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) of The Cleveland Clinic in accordance with the United States Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Animals, and the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
1. Preparations:
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	<li>Fluorescent Dye for Labeling Platelets
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		<li>Prepare rhodamine 6G solution, 0.5 mg/ml, in saline and sterilize the solution with 0.22 &#181...

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The FeCl3-induced model is one of the most widely used thrombosis models, which can not only provide valuable information about genetic modifications on platelet function and thrombosis7,8,16,19,31-33, but can also be a valuable tool for evaluation of therapeutic compounds and strategies for treatment and prevention of atherothrombotic diseases11,17,34-37. Here we have shown our modifications and refinements of this model and showed additional evidence of the utility of this technique, wh...

Arterial thrombosis (blood clot) is a common complication of many systemic diseases associated with chronic inflammation, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, cancer and chronic autoimmune rheumatologic disorders. Thrombi that occur in the arterial circulation stem from inappropriate platelet activation, aggregation and subsequent coagulatory mechanisms, and are implicated in heart attacks, strokes and extremity loss. The vessel wall is a complex system that includes multiple cell types and is influenced by a multitude of extrinsic factors including shear stress, circulating blood cells, hormones and cytokines, as well as expression of antioxidant proteins in the vessel wall. In vitro experiments cannot replicate this complex environment and therefore in vivo studies using animal models are critical to allow better understanding of mechanisms involved in thrombotic disorders.
Mice have been shown to have similar mechanisms to humans in terms of thrombosis, atherosclerosis, inflammation and diabetes1,2. Furthermore, transgenic and knockout mice can be created to test the function of specific gene products in a complex physiologic or pathologic environment. Such studies mimic human pathology and may provide important mechanistic information related to discovery of new pathways and therapies, as well as provide important details in characterizing drug effects on thrombosis.
Pathological arterial thrombi occur due to endothelial layer injury or dysfunction and exposure of the blood stream to the subendothelial matrix3,4. Various thrombosis models have been developed to induce this endothelial damage such as mechanical injury, photoreactive compound Rose Bengal-based oxidative injury and laser injury5. In this spectrum, Ferric chloride (FeCl3)-induced vascular injury is a widely used model of thrombosis. This reagent when applied to the outer aspect of vessels induces oxidative damage to vascular cells6-8, with loss of endothelial cell protection from circulating platelets and components of the coagulation cascade. The FeCl3 model is simple and sensitive to both anticoagulant and anti-platelets drugs, and has been performed on carotid and femoral arteries, jugular veins, and mesenteric and cremasteric arterioles and venules in mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits6-15.
One measurable parameter in this model is the elapsed time from injury to complete vessel occlusion, measured as blood flow cessation with a Doppler flow meter or under direct observation with intravital microscopy6,7,9. A range of times between 5 to 30 min has been reported in different studies in C57Bl6 mice7-10,16, suggesting that FeCl3 concentrations, types of anesthesia, surgical techniques, mouse age, genomic background, method of measuring blood flow, and other environmental variables have significant effects in this model. This wide variability makes it difficult to compare studies from different research groups and may make detection of subtle differences difficult.
With a vision to minimize such variabilities and establish a uniformly reproducible in vivo model system, we have refined the FeCl3-induced carotid artery model that makes the data highly reproducible with minimal variation6-10,16-19. In this paper we describe and share the skills and report several representative experimental examples that can benefit from this model.

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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Surgical Scissors - Tungsten Carbide</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">14502-14</td>
			<td style="width:325px;">cut and hold skin</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Micro-Adson Forceps - Serrated/Straight/12cm</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td>11018-12</td>
			<td>cut and hold skin</td>
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		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:351px;">Metzenbaum Fino Scissors - Tungsten Carbide/Curved/Blunt-Blunt/14.5cm</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">14519-14&#160;&#160;</td>
			<td>to dissect and separate soft tissue</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Ultra Fine Hemostat - Smooth/Curved/12.5cm</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td>13021-12</td>
			<td>to dissect and separate soft tissue</td>
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		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Graefe Forceps - Serrated/Straight/10cm</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11050-10</td>
			<td>to dissect and separate soft tissue</td>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:351px;">Dumont #5 Fine Forceps - Biology Tips/Straight/Inox/11cm</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td>11254-20&#160;</td>
			<td>Isolate vessel from surounding tissue</td>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:351px;">Dumont #5XL Forceps - Standard Tips/Straight/Inox/15cm</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td>11253-10</td>
			<td>Isolate vessel from surounding tissue</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Blunt Hook- 12cm/0.3mm Tip Diameter</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td>10062-12</td>
			<td>Isolate vessel from surounding tissue</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Castroviejo Micro Needle Holders</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td>12061-02</td>
			<td>Needle holders</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Suture Thread 4-0</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td>18020-40</td>
			<td>For fix the incisors to the plate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Suture Thread 6-0</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td>18020-60</td>
			<td>For all surgery and ligation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Kalt Suture Needles</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td>12050-03</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">rhodamine 6G&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>83697-1G</td>
			<td>To lebel platelets</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;">FeCl3 (Anhydrous)</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">12321</td>
			<td>To induce vessel injury</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Papaverine hydrochloride</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>P3510</td>
			<td>To inhibit gut peristalsis.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:351px;">Medline Surgical Instrument Sterilization Steam Autoclave Tapes</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Medline</td>
			<td>111625</td>
			<td>To fix the mouse to the plate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Fisherbrand&#8482;&#160;Syringe Filters - Sterile 0.22&#181;m</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fisher</td>
			<td>09-720-004</td>
			<td>For sterlization of solutions injected to mice</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:351px;">Fisherbrand&#8482;&#160;Syringe Filters - Sterile 0.45&#181;m</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fisher</td>
			<td>09-719D</td>
			<td>To filter the FeCl3 solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Sterile Alcohol Prep Pad</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Fisher</td>
			<td>06-669-62</td>
			<td>To sterilize the surgical site</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Agarose&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">BioExpress</td>
			<td>E-3120-500</td>
			<td>To make gel stage</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Leica DMLFS fluorescent microscope</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">Leica</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Intravital microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:351px;">GIBRALTAR Platform and X-Y Stage System</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">npi electronic GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:325px;">http://www.npielectronic.de/products/micropositioners/burleigh/gibraltar.html</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:351px;">Streampix version 3.17.2 software</td>
			<td style="width:159px;">NorPix</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>https://www.norpix.com/</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

ferric chloride-induced murine thrombosis models

Arterial thrombosis (blood clot) is a common complication of many systemic diseases associated with chronic inflammation, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, cancer and chronic autoimmune rheumatologic disorders. Thrombi are the cause of most heart attacks, strokes and extremity loss, making thrombosis an extremely important public health problem. Since these thrombi stem from inappropriate platelet activation and subsequent coagulation, targeting these systems therapeutically has important clinical significance for developing safer treatments. Due to the complexities of the hemostatic system, in vitro experiments cannot replicate the blood-to-vessel wall interactions; therefore, in vivo studies are critical to understand pathological mechanisms of thrombus formation. To this end, various thrombosis models have been developed in mice. Among them, ferric chloride (FeCl3) induced vascular injury is a widely used model of occlusive thrombosis that reports platelet activation and aggregation in the context of an aseptic closed vascular system. This model is based on redox-induced endothelial cell injury, which is simple and sensitive to both anticoagulant and anti-platelets drugs. The time required for the development of a thrombus that occludes blood flow gives a quantitative measure of vascular injury, platelet activation and aggregation that is relevant to thrombotic diseases. We have significantly refined this FeCl3-induced vascular thrombosis model, which makes the data highly reproducible with minimal variation. Here we describe the model and present representative data from several experimental set-ups that demonstrate the utility of this model in thrombosis research.

Carotid Artery Thrombosis Model 
In mice with C57BL6 background, we recommend using 7.5% FeCl3 to treat the vessel for 1 min as a starting point. Under treatment of 7.5% FeCl3, borders of the injured area and normal vessel wall are easily identified under microscope (See online video 1), suggesting that the endothelial layer was significantly damaged. The thrombi formed immediately upon FeCl3 treatment, and are observ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Ferric Chloride-induced Murine Thrombosis Models at JoVE.com

Ferric Chloride-induced Murine Thrombosis Models

We report a refined procedure of the ferric chloride (FeCl3)-induced thrombosis models on carotid and mesenteric artery as well as vein, characterized efficiently using intravital microscopy to monitor time to occlusive thrombi formation.

Arterial thrombosis (blood clot) is a common complication of many systemic diseases associated with chronic inflammation, including atherosclerosis, ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to produce ferric chloride-induced thrombosis in a mouse carotid artery model to obtain highly reproducible results as analyzed by intravital microscopy. These mice can help answer key questions about various disease or genetic disorders associated with platelet activation and the aggregation of closed vascular system. The main advantage of this technique are that it is simple and sensitive to both anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, and that it can be combined with other techniques.This method can be used to gain valuable insight into the pathophysiology of thrombosis, discover new mechanisms and therapies, and evaluate the effects of Novel drugs, including targeted nanomedicine on thrombosis. Visualization of this method is critical for learning the strategies for obtaining accurate blood flow cessation time. After confirming a lack of response to toe pinch, use small electric animal clippers to remove the fur from the neck and upper chest of an eight to 12-week-old mouse.Apply neutral petroleum eye ointment to animal's eyes, and tape the mouse in the supine position on the lid of a 15-centimeter tissue culture plate. Wrap a 4-0 suture around the incisors, and tape the ends of the suture to the lid to keep the neck straight. Then, move the animal under a surgical light source, and use an alcohol pad to sterilize the surgical site.Next, use Micro-Adson forceps to grasp the skin, and use surgical scissors to make a two to three-millimeter incision. Holding the incision with forceps, insert the scissors with the blades closed, and push the scissors subcutaneously toward the manubrium. Then, open the blades to free the skin from the subcutaneous layer.Now, make a midline incision from the manubrium to the hyoid bone, and use a fine hemostat and Graefe forceps to bluntly dissect the thin fascia between the submaxillary gland. When the trachea is visible, use the forceps to hold the soft tissue to the right of the manubrium, and insert the hemostat under the fascia toward the two o'clock position. Open the jaws of the hemostat to free the jugular vein from the surrounding tissue.Then, continue the incision through the fascia, soft tissue, and skin toward the two o'clock position until the right jugular vein is exposed. Now, attach a 30-gauge needle attached to a one-milliliter syringe containing 100 microliters of rhodamine 6G solution, and use a needle-holder to bend two to three millimeters of the tip 90 degrees. Then, holding the syringe with one hand and the soft tissue with the distal site of the jugular vein with the Graefe forceps in the other, insert the needle into the vessel.Stabilize the needle with the forceps, and inject the rhodamine. Once all of the platelet labeling solution has been administered, clamp the injection site with the forceps to prevent bleeding by opening the hemostat and inserting the instrument under the forceps to clamp the vessel wall of the injection site. Then, use a 6-0 suture to ligate the injection site.Bluntly dissect the soft tissue and fascia around the left submaxillary gland, and pull the gland toward the seven o'clock position to expose the left sternocleidomastoid muscle. Then, bluntly dissect the fascia between the left sternocleidomastoid muscle and the omohyoid and sternohyoid muscles to the left side of the trachea. When the fascia has been displaced, pass a needle with a 15-centimeter, 6-0 silk suture under the middle of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and pull the two ends of the suture laterally toward the 10 o'clock position.Bluntly separate the thing sternohyoid and omohyoid muscles to expose the carotid artery. Then, use the hemostat to separate the soft tissue from the carotid artery without touching the artery. Using a fine-tipped forceps, lift the lateral fascia around the carotid artery while avoiding the vagus nerve and the artery.Then, use another fine-tipped forceps to puncture the fascia between the carotid artery and the vagus nerve. Now, pass a blunt hook through the hole to gently lift the carotid artery, and slide the fine-tipped forceps under the artery. Moving the hook and forceps in opposite directions along the artery, strip about five millimeters of advantigial soft tissue from the vessel from the surrounding tissue.Then, rinse a piece of U-shaped plastic with saline, and use the hook to gently lift the artery to allow for the placement of the plastic under the artery. The plastic will block the background fluorescence, preventing diffusing of the ferric chloride solution to the surrounding tissue, and they ensure that only the carotid artery is visible under the microscope. Immediately hydrate the carotid artery with two to three drops of saline.Then, transfer the mouse onto a fluorescent microsope stage under the 10X water lens, and fill the space between the lens and the artery with saline. Now, start the digital video recording software application, and obtain images of the normal vessel. If the vessel wall is integrated and uninjured, transfer the mouse to the Gibraltar platform, and use the corner of a paper towel to carefully blot the saline around the carotid artery in the surgical field without touching the artery.Then, use fine-tipped forceps to transfer a piece of ferric chloride-saturated filter paper directly on top of the carotid artery close to the distal end of the exposed artery. Make sure to place the filter paper close the distal end of the exposed carotid artery, which we will leave a short segment at the proximal side for observing the blood flow during the later phase of the injury. After one minute, remove the filter paper, and rinse the artery with at least two milliliters of saline.Return the mouse to the microscope stage, and obtain images of the vessel. The formation of the thrombus can be identified by the accumulation of the fluorescent platelets. Continue to image the vessel for 10 seconds every minute for the first 10 minutes, followed by 10 seconds every other minute until the end of the experiment.Tissue-type plasminogen activator profusion five minutes after ferric chloride injury demonstrates the initiation of thrombolysis about four minutes after the treatment. With the formed thrombi observed to undergo repeated size variations during the 30 minute observation period, but without a complete ablation of the platelet-mediated thrombus. Treatment with a polyclonal PAR4 antibody that delays PAR4 cleavage significantly prolongs the time to occlusive thrombus formation in the ferric chloride-induced carotid artery thrombosis model.Non-platelet red blood cell labeling experiments indicate that, while ferric chloride-induced thrombi are made up exclusively of vessel wall-adherent platelets, red blood cells do become trapped within the thrombus, contributing to the shape and occlusive property of the clot over time. Interestingly, while the initial thrombus is visualized within about 15 seconds of the injury to the mesenteric artery and vein, the formation of the thrombus within the mesenteric vessels is dramatically delayed to approximately 17 minutes in the mesenteric vein. And to nearly 24 minutes in the mesenteric artery, due at least in part to diffusion of the ferric chloride through the adipose tissue surrounding the mesenteric vessels.Once mastered, this refund ferric chloride injury induced thrombosis model can be finished in about a 30 to 60 minutes depending on the mastery used, if it is performed properly. While attempting this procedure, it is important to remember that the measure it will permit us is the elapsed attempt from the injury to the complete ways of occlusion, and a precise observation of the blood flow is critical for obtaining accurate results. This model may be combined with a transfusion of ex-vivo treated wild-type platelets to mimic platelet-specific knockouts for defining the function of regulatory pathways and platelets.This technique paved the way for researchers in the field of vascular biology to explore not only the role of platelets in thrombosis, but also under various other endothelium inflammatory conditions. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to set up a ferric chloride-induced carotid artery thrombosis model in mice to achieve highly reproducible result using intravital microscope. Don't forget that ferric chloride can be extremely hazardous, and that precautions such as wearing the proper personal protective equipment should always be taken while performing this model.

ferric-chloride-induced-murine-thrombosis-models

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Electrolytic Inferior Vena Cava Model (EIM) of Venous Thrombosis

Animal models serve a vital role in deep venous thrombosis (DVT) research in order to study thrombus formation, thrombus resolution and to test potential therapeutic compounds (1). New compounds to be utilized in the treatment and prevention of DVT are currently being developed. The delivery of potential therapeutic antagonist compounds to an affected thrombosed vein has been problematic. In the context of therapeutic applications, a model that uses partial stasis and consistently generates thrombi within a major vein has been recently established. The Electrolytic Inferior vena cava Model (EIM) is mouse model of DVT that permits thrombus formation in the presence of continuous blood flow. This model allows therapeutic agents to be in contact with the thrombus in a dynamic fashion, and is more sensitive than other models of DVT (1). In addition, this thrombosis model closely simulates clinical situations of thrombus formation and is ideal to study venous endothelial cell activation, leukocyte migration, venous thrombogenesis, and to test therapeutic applications (1). The EIM model is technically simple, easily reproducible, creates consistent thrombi sizes and allows for a large sample (i.e. thrombus and vein wall) which is required for analytical purposes.

Electrolytic Inferior Vena Cava Model EIM of Venous Thrombosis

The electrolytic induction of endothelial activation to the internal surface of the Inferior Vena Cava results in venous type thrombus formation due to endothelial activation and partial blood stasis, two components of Virchow's triad.

Animal models serve a vital role in deep venous thrombosis (DVT) research in order to study thrombus formation, thrombus resolution and to test potential ...

Mouse Complete Stasis Model of Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). In the United States (U.S.), the high morbidity and mortality rates make VTE a serious health concern 1-2. After heart disease and stroke, VTE is the third most common vascular disease 3. In the U.S. alone, there is an estimated 900,000 people affected each year, with 300,000 deaths occurring annually 3. A reliable in vivo animal model to study the mechanisms of this disease is necessary.
The advantages of using the mouse complete stasis model of inferior vena cava thrombosis are several. The mouse model allows for the administration of very small volumes of limited availability test agents, reducing costs dramatically. Most promising is the potential for mice with gene knockouts that allow specific inflammatory and coagulation factor functions to be delineated. Current molecular assays allow for the quantitation of vein wall, thrombus, whole blood, and plasma for assays. However, a major concern involving this model is the operative size constraints and the friability of the vessels. Also, due to the small IVC sample weight (mean 0.005 grams) it is necessary to increase animal numbers for accurate statistical analysis for tissue, thrombus, and blood assays such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA), zymography, vein wall and thrombus cellular analysis, and whole blood and plasma assays 4-8.
The major disadvantage with the stasis model is that the lack of blood flow inhibits the maximal effect of administered systemic therapeutic agents on the thrombus and vein wall.

The mouse complete stasis model of inferior vena cava thrombosis yields quantifiable amounts of vein wall tissue and thrombus. It has proven useful for evaluating interactions between the vein wall and the occlusive thrombus and in assessing the progression from acute to chronic inflammation.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).  In the United States (U.S.), the high morbidity and ...

Segmentation and Measurement of Fat Volumes in Murine Obesity Models Using X-ray Computed Tomography

Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality as well as reduced metrics in quality of life.1 Both environmental and genetic factors are associated with obesity, though the precise underlying mechanisms that contribute to the disease are currently being delineated.2,3 Several small animal models of obesity have been developed and are employed in a variety of studies.4 A critical component to these experiments involves the collection of regional and/or total animal fat content data under varied conditions.
Traditional experimental methods available for measuring fat content in small animal models of obesity include invasive (e.g. ex vivo measurement of fat deposits) and non-invasive (e.g. Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), or Magnetic Resonance (MR)) protocols, each of which presents relative trade-offs. Current invasive methods for measuring fat content may provide details for organ and region specific fat distribution, but sacrificing the subjects will preclude longitudinal assessments. Conversely, current non-invasive strategies provide limited details for organ and region specific fat distribution, but enable valuable longitudinal assessment. With the advent of dedicated small animal X-ray computed tomography (CT) systems and customized analytical procedures, both organ and region specific analysis of fat distribution and longitudinal profiling may be possible. Recent reports have validated the use of CT for in vivo longitudinal imaging of adiposity in living mice.5,6 Here we provide a modified method that allows for fat/total volume measurement, analysis and visualization utilizing the Carestream Molecular Imaging Albira CT system in conjunction with PMOD and Volview software packages.

Fat content analysis is routinely conducted in studies utilizing murine obesity models. Emerging methods in small animal CT imaging and analysis are providing for longitudinal detail rich fat content analysis. Here we detail step by step procedures for performing small animal CT imaging, analysis, and visualization.

Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality as well as reduced metrics in quality of life.1 Both environmental and genetic factors are ...

Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the large arteries and a major underlying cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. Several different mouse models have been developed to facilitate the study of the molecular and cellular pathophysiology of this disease. In this manuscript we describe specific techniques for the quantification and characterization of atherosclerotic lesions in the murine aortic sinus and ascending aorta. The advantage of this procedure is that it provides an accurate measurement of the cross-sectional area and total volume of the lesion, which can be used to compare atherosclerotic progression across different treatment groups. This is possible through the use of the valve leaflets as an anatomical landmark, together with careful adjustment of the sectioning angle. We also describe basic staining methods that can be used to begin to characterize atherosclerotic progression. These can be further modified to investigate antigens of specific interest to the researcher. The described techniques are generally applicable to a wide variety of existing and newly created dietary and genetically-induced models of atherogenesis.

We describe procedures to quantify and characterize atherosclerotic lesions in mouse models using precision sectioning of the aortic sinus and ascending aorta combined with histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis.

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the large arteries and a major underlying cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. Several different mouse models have ...

Intrastriatal Injection of Autologous Blood or Clostridial Collagenase as Murine Models of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common form of cerebrovascular disease and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Lack of effective treatment and failure of large clinical trials aimed at hemostasis and clot removal demonstrate the need for further mechanism-driven investigation of ICH. This research may be performed through the framework provided by preclinical models. Two murine models in popular use include intrastriatal (basal ganglia) injection of either autologous whole blood or clostridial collagenase. Since, each model represents distinctly different pathophysiological features related to ICH, use of a particular model may be selected based on what aspect of the disease is to be studied. For example, autologous blood injection most accurately represents the brain&#39;s response to the presence of intraparenchymal blood, and may most closely replicate lobar hemorrhage. Clostridial collagenase injection most accurately represents the small vessel rupture and hematoma evolution characteristic of deep hemorrhages. Thus, each model results in different hematoma formation, neuroinflammatory response, cerebral edema development, and neurobehavioral outcomes. Robustness of a purported therapeutic intervention can be best assessed using both models. In this protocol, induction of ICH using both models, immediate post-operative demonstration of injury, and early post-operative care techniques are demonstrated. Both models result in reproducible injuries, hematoma volumes, and neurobehavioral deficits. Because of the heterogeneity of human ICH, multiple preclinical models are needed to thoroughly explore pathophysiologic mechanisms and test potential therapeutic strategies.

Preclinical models of intracerebral hemorrhage are utilized to mimic certain aspects of clinical disease. Thus, mechanisms of injury and potential therapeutic strategies may be explored. In this protocol, two models of intracerebral hemorrhage are described, intrastriatal (basal ganglia) injections of autologous blood or collagenase.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common form of cerebrovascular disease and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Lack of effective ...

Orthotopic Injection of Breast Cancer Cells into the Mammary Fat Pad of Mice to Study Tumor Growth.

Breast cancer growth can be studied in mice using a plethora of models. Genetic manipulation of breast cancer cells may provide insights into the functions of proteins involved in oncogenic progression or help to discover new tumor suppressors. In addition, injecting cancer cells into mice with different genotypes might provide a better understanding of the importance of the stromal compartment. Many models may be useful to investigate certain aspects of disease progression but do not recapitulate the entire cancerous process. In contrast, breast cancer cells engraftment to the mammary fat pad of mice better recapitulates the location of the disease and presence of the proper stromal compartment and therefore better mimics human cancerous disease. In this article, we describe how to implant breast cancer cells into mice orthotopically and explain how to collect tissues to analyse the tumor milieu and metastasis to distant organs. Using this model, many aspects (growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis) of cancer can be investigated simply by providing a proper environment for tumor cells to grow.

Cancer is a complex disease that is influenced by the tissue surrounding the tumor as well as local pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Therefore, orthotropic injection models, rather than subcutaneous models may be useful to study cancer progression in a manner that better mimics human pathology.

Breast cancer growth can be studied in mice using a plethora of models. Genetic manipulation of breast cancer cells may provide insights into the ...

Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models

This study adapted human videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) methods for use with murine disease models for the purpose of facilitating translational dysphagia research. Successful outcomes are dependent upon three critical components: test chambers that permit self-feeding while standing unrestrained in a confined space, recipes that mask the aversive taste/odor of commercially-available oral contrast agents, and a step-by-step test protocol that permits quantification of swallow physiology. Elimination of one or more of these components will have a detrimental impact on the study results. Moreover, the energy level capability of the fluoroscopy system will determine which swallow parameters can be investigated. Most research centers have high energy fluoroscopes designed for use with people and larger animals, which results in exceptionally poor image quality when testing mice and other small rodents. Despite this limitation, we have identified seven VFSS parameters that are consistently quantifiable in mice when using a high energy fluoroscope in combination with the new murine VFSS protocol. We recently obtained a low energy fluoroscopy system with exceptionally high imaging resolution and magnification capabilities that was designed for use with mice and other small rodents. Preliminary work using this new system, in combination with the new murine VFSS protocol, has identified 13 swallow parameters that are consistently quantifiable in mice, which is nearly double the number obtained using conventional (i.e., high energy) fluoroscopes. Identification of additional swallow parameters is expected as we optimize the capabilities of this new system. Results thus far demonstrate the utility of using a low energy fluoroscopy system to detect and quantify subtle changes in swallow physiology that may otherwise be overlooked when using high energy fluoroscopes to investigate murine disease models.

This study successfully adapted human videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) methods for use with murine disease models for the purpose of facilitating translational dysphagia research.

This study adapted human videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) methods for use with murine disease models for the purpose of facilitating ...

High-frequency Ultrasound Imaging of Mouse Cervical Lymph Nodes

High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) is widely employed as a non-invasive method for imaging internal anatomic structures in experimental small animal systems. HFUS has the ability to detect structures as small as 30 &#181;m, a property that has been utilized for visualizing superficial lymph nodes in rodents in brightness (B)-mode. Combining power Doppler with B-mode imaging allows for measuring circulatory blood flow within lymph nodes and other organs. While HFUS has been utilized for lymph node imaging in a number of mouse&#160; model systems, a detailed protocol describing HFUS imaging and characterization of the cervical lymph nodes in mice has not been reported. Here, we show that HFUS can be adapted to detect and characterize cervical lymph nodes in mice. Combined B-mode and power Doppler imaging can be used to detect increases in blood flow in immunologically-enlarged cervical nodes. We also describe the use of B-mode imaging to conduct fine needle biopsies of cervical lymph nodes to retrieve lymph tissue for histological&#160; analysis. Finally, software-aided steps are described to calculate changes in lymph node volume and to visualize changes in lymph node morphology following image reconstruction. The ability to visually monitor changes in cervical lymph node biology over time provides a simple and powerful technique for the non-invasive monitoring of cervical lymph node alterations in preclinical mouse models of oral cavity disease.

This protocol describes the application of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) for imaging mouse cervical lymph nodes. This technique optimizes visualization and quantification of cervical lymph node morphology, volume and blood flow. Image-guided biopsy of cervical lymph nodes and processing of lymph tissue for histological evaluation is also demonstrated.

High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) is widely employed as a non-invasive method for imaging internal anatomic structures in experimental small animal ...

A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis

We evaluated a magnetic resonance venography (MRV) approach with gadofosveset to quantify total thrombus volume changes as the principal criterion for treatment efficacy&#160;in a multicenter randomized study comparing edoxaban monotherapy with a heparin/warfarin regimen for acute, symptomatic lower extremities deep vein thrombosis (DVT) treatment. We also used a direct thrombus imaging approach (DTHI, without the use of a contrast agent) to quantify fresh thrombus. We then sought to evaluate the reproducibility of the analysis methodology and applicability of using 3D magnetic resonance venography and direct thrombus imaging for the quantification of DVT in a multicenter trial setting. From 10 randomly selected subjects participating in the edoxaban Thrombus Reduction Imaging Study (eTRIS), total thrombus volume in the entire lower extremity deep venous system was quantified bilaterally. Subjects were imaged using 3D-T1W gradient echo sequences before (direct thrombus imaging, DTHI) and 5 min after injection of 0.03 mmol/kg of gadofosveset trisodium (magnetic resonance venography, MRV). The margins of the DVT on corresponding axial, curved multi-planar reformatted images were manually delineated by two observers to obtain volumetric measurements of the venous thrombi. MRV was used to compute total DVT volume, whereas DTHI was used to compute volume of fresh thrombus. Intra-class correlation (ICC) and Bland Altman analysis were performed to compare inter and intra-observer variability of the analysis. The ICC for inter and intra-observer variability was excellent (0.99 and 0.98, p &#60;0.001, respectively) with no bias on Bland-Altman analysis for MRV images. For DTHI images, the results were slightly lower (ICC = 0.88 and 0.95 respectively, p &#60;0.001), with bias for inter-observer results on Bland-Altman plots. This study showed feasibility of thrombus volume estimation in DVT using MRV with gadofosveset trisodium, with good intra- and inter-observer reproducibility in a multicenter setting.

The goal of this study is to use magnetic resonance venography with long-circulating gadolinium-based contrast agent and direct thrombus imaging for quantitative evaluation of DVT volume in a multicenter, clinical trial setting. Inter- and intra-observer variability assessments were conducted, and reproducibility of the protocol was determined.

We evaluated a magnetic resonance venography (MRV) approach with gadofosveset to quantify total thrombus volume changes as the principal criterion for ...

Ferric Chloride-induced Thrombosis Mouse Model on Carotid Artery and Mesentery Vessel

Severe thrombosis and its ischemic consequences such as myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism and stroke are major worldwide health issues. The ferric chloride injury is now a well-established technique to rapidly and accurately induce the formation of thrombi in exposed veins or artery of small and large diameter. This model has played a key role in the study of the pathophysiology of thrombosis, in the discovery and validation of novel antithrombotic drugs and in the understanding of the mechanism of action of these new agents. Here, the implementation of this technique on a mesenteric vessel and carotid artery in mice is presented. The method describes how to label circulating leukocytes and platelets with a fluorescent dye and to observe, by intravital microscopy on the exposed mesentery, their accumulation at the injured vessel wall which leads to the formation of a thrombus. On the carotid artery, the occlusion caused by the clot formation is measured by monitoring the blood flow with a Doppler probe.

The FeCl3 induced thrombosis model in mice is described herein. A method to monitor thrombus growth by intravital microscopy observation on a mesenteric vessel and by blood flow measurement in the carotid artery is presented.

Severe thrombosis and its ischemic consequences such as myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism and stroke are major worldwide health issues. The ferric ...