Name: 3-dimensional resin casting and imaging of mouse portal vein or intrahepatic bile duct system
Uploaded: 2012-10-25T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about 3-Dimensional Resin Casting and Imaging of Mouse Portal Vein or Intrahepatic Bile Duct System at JoVE.com

This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to S.S.H. (R01-DK078640), from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) through the HHMI/Vanderbilt University Certificate Program in Molecular Medicine to T.J.W. (GRDOT56006779), the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (P30-DK020593) and the Vanderbilt Digestive Disease Research Center (P30-DK058404) providing Core Services.

1. Prepare Cannula
<ol>
 <li>Warm a 1-inch long section of PE10 tubing with your fingertips and stretch it so that the tubing becomes thin. 
 Note: the size of the vessel or duct to be cannulated will determine the degree of stretching required. The cannula must be well-stretched for bile duct casts but may only be required to be moderately stretched to fit within the larger portal vein.</li>
 <li>Cut the stretched tubing at a diagonal to generate a beveled tip.</li>
 <li>Cut the other edge of the tubing ...

<ol>
	<li>Sparks, E. E., Perrien, D. S., Huppert, K. A., Peterson, T. E., Huppert, S. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Defects+in+hepatic+Notch+signaling+result+in+disruption+of+the+communicating+intrahepatic+bile+duct+network+in+mice.">Defects in hepatic Notch signaling result in disruption of the communicating intrahepatic bile duct network in mice.</a> Dis. Model Mech. 4, 359-367 (2011).</li><li>Vanderpool, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+interactions+between+hepatocyte+nuclear+factor-6+and+notch+signaling+regulate+mouse+intrahepatic+bile+duct+development+in+vivo.">Genetic interactions between hepatocyte nuclear factor-6 and notch signaling regulate mouse intrahepatic bile duct development in vivo.</a> Hepatology. 55, 233-243 (2012).</li><li>Meyer, E. P., Ulmann-Schuler, A., Staufenbiel, M., Krucker, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Altered+morphology+and+3D+architecture+of+brain+vasculature+in+a+mouse+model+for+Alzheimer's+disease.">Altered morphology and 3D architecture of brain vasculature in a mouse model for Alzheimer's disease.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 105, 3587-3592 (2008).</li><li>Van Steenkiste, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vascular+corrosion+casting:+analyzing+wall+shear+stress+in+the+portal+vein+and+vascular+abnormalities+in+portal+hypertensive+and+cirrhotic+rodents.">Vascular corrosion casting: analyzing wall shear stress in the portal vein and vascular abnormalities in portal hypertensive and cirrhotic rodents.</a> Lab Invest. 90, 1558-1572 (2010).</li><li>Dickie, R., Cormack, M., Semmler-Behnke, M., Kreyling, W. G., Tsuda, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Deep+pulmonary+lymphatics+in+immature+lungs.">Deep pulmonary lymphatics in immature lungs.</a> Journal of Applied Physiology. 107, 859-863 (2009).</li><li>Kelly, D. M., McEntee, G. P., McGeenery, K. F., Fitzpatrick, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microvasculature+of+the+pancreas,+liver,+and+kidney+in+cerulein-induced+pancreatitis.">Microvasculature of the pancreas, liver, and kidney in cerulein-induced pancreatitis.</a> Archives of Surgery. 128, 293-295 (1993).</li><li>Sparks, E. E., Huppert, K. A., Brown, M. A., Washington, M. K., Huppert, S. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Notch+signaling+regulates+formation+of+the+three-dimensional+architecture+of+intrahepatic+bile+ducts+in+mice.">Notch signaling regulates formation of the three-dimensional architecture of intrahepatic bile ducts in mice.</a> Hepatology. 51, 1391-1400 (2010).</li><li>Carlson, T. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endothelial+expression+of+constitutively+active+Notch4+elicits+reversible+arteriovenous+malformations+in+adult+mice.">Endothelial expression of constitutively active Notch4 elicits reversible arteriovenous malformations in adult mice.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 102, 9884-9889 (2005).</li><li>Hemmeryckx, B., Emmerechts, J., Bovill, E. G., Hoylaerts, M. F., Lijnen, H. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+ageing+on+the+murine+venous+circulation.">Effect of ageing on the murine venous circulation.</a> Histochem. Cell Biol. , (2012).</li><li>Hossler, F. E., Olson, K. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microvasculature+of+the+nasal+salt+gland+of+the+duckling,+Anas+platyrhynchos:+quantitative+responses+to+osmotic+adaptation+and+deadaptation+studied+with+vascular+corrosion+casting.">Microvasculature of the nasal salt gland of the duckling, Anas platyrhynchos: quantitative responses to osmotic adaptation and deadaptation studied with vascular corrosion casting.</a> J. Exp. Zool. 254, 237-247 (1990).</li><li>Hossler, F. E., West, R. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Venous+valve+anatomy+and+morphometry:+studies+on+the+duckling+using+vascular+corrosion+casting.">Venous valve anatomy and morphometry: studies on the duckling using vascular corrosion casting.</a> Am. J. Anat. 181, 425-432 (1988).</li><li>Hossler, F. E., Monson, F. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structure+and+blood+supply+of+intrinsic+lymph+nodes+in+the+wall+of+the+rabbit+urinary+bladder--studies+with+light+microscopy,+electron+microscopy,+and+vascular+corrosion+casting.">Structure and blood supply of intrinsic lymph nodes in the wall of the rabbit urinary bladder--studies with light microscopy, electron microscopy, and vascular corrosion casting.</a> Anat. Rec. 252, 477-484 (1998).</li><li>Hossler, F. E., Monson, F. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evidence+for+a+unique+elastic+sheath+surrounding+the+vesicular+arteries+of+the+rabbit+urinary+bladder--studies+of+the+microvasculature+with+microscopy+and+vascular+corrosion+casting.">Evidence for a unique elastic sheath surrounding the vesicular arteries of the rabbit urinary bladder--studies of the microvasculature with microscopy and vascular corrosion casting.</a> Anat. Rec. 252, 472-476 (1998).</li><li>Hossler, F. E., Kao, R. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microvasculature+of+the+urinary+bladder+of+the+dog:+a+study+using+vascular+corrosion+casting.">Microvasculature of the urinary bladder of the dog: a study using vascular corrosion casting.</a> Microsc. Microanal. 13, 220-227 (2007).</li><li>Wischgoll, T., Choy, J. S., Kassab, G. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Extraction+of+morphometry+and+branching+angles+of+porcine+coronary+arterial+tree+from+CT+images.">Extraction of morphometry and branching angles of porcine coronary arterial tree from CT images.</a> Am J Physiol. Heart. Circ. Physiol. 297, H1949-H1955 (2009).</li><li>Hossler, F. E., Douglas, J. E., Douglas, L. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anatomy+and+morphometry+of+myocardial+capillaries+studied+with+vascular+corrosion+casting+and+scanning+electron+microscopy:+a+method+for+rat+heart.">Anatomy and morphometry of myocardial capillaries studied with vascular corrosion casting and scanning electron microscopy: a method for rat heart.</a> Scan Electron Microsc. , 1469-1475 (1986).</li><li>Hossler, F. E., Douglas, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vascular+Corrosion+Casting:+Review+of+Advantages+and+Limitations+in+the+Application+of+Some+Simple+Quantitative+Methods.">Vascular Corrosion Casting: Review of Advantages and Limitations in the Application of Some Simple Quantitative Methods.</a> Microsc. Microanal. 7, 253-264 (2001).</li><li>Mondy, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Micro-CT+of+corrosion+casts+for+use+in+the+computer-aided+design+of+microvasculature.">Micro-CT of corrosion casts for use in the computer-aided design of microvasculature.</a> Tissue Eng. Part C Methods. 15, 729-738 (2009).</li><li>Masyuk, T. V., Ritman, E. L., LaRusso, N. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+Assessment+of+the+Rat+Intrahepatic+Biliary+System+by+Three-Dimensional+Reconstruction.">Quantitative Assessment of the Rat Intrahepatic Biliary System by Three-Dimensional Reconstruction.</a> The American Journal of Pathology. 158, 2079-2088 (2001).</li><li>Masyuk, T. V., Ritman, E. L., LaRusso, N. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hepatic+Artery+and+Portal+Vein+Remodeling+in+Rat+Liver:+Vascular+Response+to+Selective+Cholangiocyte+Proliferation.">Hepatic Artery and Portal Vein Remodeling in Rat Liver: Vascular Response to Selective Cholangiocyte Proliferation.</a> The American Journal of Pathology. 162, 1175-1182 (2003).</li></ol>

We have described specific examples for how the portal vein and intrahepatic bile duct systems of the liver can be cast, but this technique can be applied to virtually any other ductal or vascular system with slight adaptations. Previous work has demonstrated the feasibility of this technique in multiple species, including mouse1,2,7-9, duckling10,11, rabbit12,13, dog14, and pig15, and in many organs, including nasal gland14, heart16, bladder<su...

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalog number</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>PE10 polyethylene tubing</td>
 <td>Fisher Scientific</td>
 <td>1417012P</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>5-0 surgical black braided silk</td>
 <td>Roboz Surgical</td>
 <td>SUT-15-1</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Steriject 32 G x 13 mm needle</td>
 <td>Air-tite</td>
 <td>TSK3213</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Spring scissors</td>
 <td>Fine Science Tools</td>
 <td>15000-08</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Number 5 forceps</td>
 <td>Fine Science Tools</td>
 <td>91150-20</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Mercox II kit</td>
 <td>Ladd Research</td>
 <td>21247</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Benzyl alcohol</td>
 <td>Fisher Scientific</td>
 <td>1816-04</td>
 <td>Only required for BABB-clearing</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Benzyl benzoate</td>
 <td>MP Biomedicals, LLC</td>
 <td>154839</td>
 <td>Only required for BABB-clearing</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Modeling clay</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Scale</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Laboratory scissors</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>15 ml cap polypropylene tubes</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>4% paraformaldahyde</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>15% potassium hydroxide (KOH)</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Only required for maceration</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Razor blade</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>100% methanol</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>3 ml luer lock syringe</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

3-dimensional resin casting and imaging of mouse portal vein or intrahepatic bile duct system

In organs, the correct architecture of vascular and ductal structures is indispensable for proper physiological function, and the formation and maintenance of these structures is a highly regulated process. The analysis of these complex, 3-dimensional structures has greatly depended on either 2-dimensional examination in section or on dye injection studies. These techniques, however, are not able to provide a complete and quantifiable representation of the ductal or vascular structures they are intended to elucidate. Alternatively, the nature of 3-dimensional plastic resin casts generates a permanent snapshot of the system and is a novel and widely useful technique for visualizing and quantifying 3-dimensional structures and networks.
A crucial advantage of the resin casting system is the ability to determine the intact and connected, or communicating, structure of a blood vessel or duct. The structure of vascular and ductal networks are crucial for organ function, and this technique has the potential to aid study of vascular and ductal networks in several ways. Resin casting may be used to analyze normal morphology and functional architecture of a luminal structure, identify developmental morphogenetic changes, and uncover morphological differences in tissue architecture between normal and disease states. Previous work has utilized resin casting to study, for example, architectural and functional defects within the mouse intrahepatic bile duct system that were not reflected in 2-dimensional analysis of the structure1,2, alterations in brain vasculature of a Alzheimer's disease mouse model3, portal vein abnormalities in portal hypertensive and cirrhotic mice4, developmental steps in rat lymphatic maturation between immature and adult lungs5, immediate microvascular changes in the rat liver, pancreas, and kidney in response in to chemical injury6.
Here we present a method of generating a 3-dimensional resin cast of a mouse vascular or ductal network, focusing specifically on the portal vein and intrahepatic bile duct. These casts can be visualized by clearing or macerating the tissue and can then be analyzed. This technique can be applied to virtually any vascular or ductal system and would be directly applicable to any study inquiring into the development, function, maintenance, or injury of a 3-dimensional ductal or vascular structure.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about 3-Dimensional Resin Casting and Imaging of Mouse Portal Vein or Intrahepatic Bile Duct System at JoVE.com

3-Dimensional Resin Casting and Imaging of Mouse Portal Vein or Intrahepatic Bile Duct System

A method of visualizing and quantifying the 3-dimensional structure of mouse hepatic portal vein or intrahepatic bile duct is described. This resin cast technique can also be applied to other ductal or vascular systems and allows for in situ visualization or quantification of a system's intact communicating architecture.

In  organs, the correct architecture of vascular and ductal structures is  indispensable for proper physiological function, and the formation and  ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Modeling and Imaging 3-Dimensional Collective Cell Invasion

A defining characteristic of cancer malignancy is invasion and metastasis 1. In some cancers (e.g. glioma 2), local invasion into surrounding healthy ...

Heterotopic Auxiliary Rat Liver Transplantation With Flow-regulated Portal Vein Arterialization in Acute Hepatic Failure

In acute hepatic failure auxiliary liver transplantation is an interesting alternative approach. The aim is to provide a temporary support until the ...

Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis

In most vertebrates, the liver produces bile that is necessary to emulsify absorbed fats and enable the digestion of lipids in the small intestine as well ...

Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport

Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport

Along with their traditional role as detergents that facilitate fat absorption, emerging literature indicates that bile acids are potent signaling ...

Ileectomy-induced Bile Overaccumulation in Mouse Intestine

Intestinal resection is a common therapeutic approach for human diseases such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and colon cancer ...

Rat Model of the Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) Procedure

Rat Model of the Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy ALPPS Procedure

Recent clinical data support an aggressive surgical approach to both primary and metastatic liver tumors. For some indications, like colorectal liver ...

Ablation of Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia Using a Multipolar Catheter and 3-dimensional Mapping System for High-density Electro-anatomical Reconstruction

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy mainly results from endocardial scars after myocardial infarction; those scars ...

Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging in the Mouse Hindlimb

Blood flow recovery is a critical outcome measure after experimental hindlimb ischemia or ischemia-reperfusion. Laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) is ...

A Mouse Model for Chronic Pancreatitis via Bile Duct TNBS Infusion

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex disease involving pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis, glandular atrophy, abdominal pain and other symptoms. ...

Minimizing Post-Infusion Portal Vein Bleeding during Intrahepatic Islet Transplantation in Mice

Although the liver is currently accepted as the primary transplantation site for human islets in clinical settings, islets are transplanted under the ...