Macalester College

2 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Neuroscience

Measuring Changes in Tactile Sensitivity in the Hind Paw of Mice Using an Electronic von Frey Apparatus

Tijana Martinov¹, Madison Mack¹, Akilah Sykes¹, Devavani Chatterjea¹

Electronic von Frey measurements are an effective and improved alternative to classical von Frey filaments, as they allow rapid and precise measurement of changes in rodent mechanical withdrawal thresholds to continuously applied pressure stimuli before and after an inflammatory event.

Immunology and Infection

Isolation of Infiltrating Leukocytes from Mouse Skin Using Enzymatic Digest and Gradient Separation

Charles J. Benck¹, Tijana Martinov², Brian T. Fife², Devavani Chatterjea¹

¹Department of Biology, Macalester College, ²Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota

This protocol describes enzymatic digestion of mouse skin in nutrient-rich medium followed by gradient separation to isolate leukocytes. Cells thus derived can be used for diverse downstream applications. This is an effective, economical, and improved alternative to tissue dissociation machines and harsher trypsin and dispase-based tissue digestion protocols.