Dr. Khan acknowledges grant support from NIH/NICHD K12HD052892, the Alpha-1 Foundation, the Hillman Foundation, and the Pittsburgh Liver Research Center. Dr. Michalopoulos acknowledges grant support from NIH/NIDDK P01DK096990. We appreciate the excellent and generous technical assistance of Anne Orr. We are also grateful to Dr. David A. Geller for providing access to the Transplant/Rodent Microsurgery lab.

All procedures were conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Pittsburgh.
1. Basic Techniques and Common Procedures
<ol>
	<li>Autoclave all microsurgical equipment before use.</li>
	<li>To avoid killing the mouse by anesthesia, check its breathing pattern carefully.</li>
	<li>Touch organs and intestines as little as possible to avoid damaging organs and causing bleeding. Press bleeding points with wet cotton swabs or gauze sponges.</li...

<ol>
	<li>Higgins, G. M., Anderson, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experimental+pathology+of+the+liver+-+Restoration+of+the+liver+of+the+white+rat+following+partial+surgical+removal.">Experimental pathology of the liver - Restoration of the liver of the white rat following partial surgical removal.</a> Arch Pathol. 12, 186-202 (1931).</li><li>Cameron, G. R., Oakley, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ligation+of+the+common+bile+duct.">Ligation of the common bile duct.</a> The Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology. 35 (5), 769-798 (1932).</li><li>Kountouras, J., Billing, B. H., Scheuer, P. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prolonged+bile+duct+obstruction:+a+new+experimental+model+for+cirrhosis+in+the+rat.">Prolonged bile duct obstruction: a new experimental model for cirrhosis in the rat.</a> Br J Exp Pathol. 65 (3), 305-311 (1984).</li><li>Michalopoulos, G. K., Barua, L., Bowen, W. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transdifferentiation+of+rat+hepatocytes+into+biliary+cells+after+bile+duct+ligation+and+toxic+biliary+injury.">Transdifferentiation of rat hepatocytes into biliary cells after bile duct ligation and toxic biliary injury.</a> Hepatology. 41 (3), 535-544 (2005).</li><li>Dipaola, F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+intramural+epithelial+networks+linked+to+peribiliary+glands+that+express+progenitor+cell+markers+and+proliferate+after+injury+in+mice.">Identification of intramural epithelial networks linked to peribiliary glands that express progenitor cell markers and proliferate after injury in mice.</a> Hepatology. 58 (4), 1486-1496 (2013).</li><li>Guyot, C., Combe, C., Desmouliere, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+common+bile+duct+ligation+in+rat:+A+relevant+in+vivo+model+to+study+the+role+of+mechanical+stress+on+cell+and+matrix+behaviour.">The common bile duct ligation in rat: A relevant in vivo model to study the role of mechanical stress on cell and matrix behaviour.</a> Histochem Cell Biol. 126 (4), 517-523 (2006).</li><li>Zhang, Y., et al. <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+bile+duct+ligation+on+bile+acid+composition+in+mouse+serum+and+liver.">Effect of bile duct ligation on bile acid composition in mouse serum and liver.</a> Liver Int. 32 (1), 58-69 (2012).</li><li>Tag, C. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bile+duct+ligation+in+mice:+induction+of+inflammatory+liver+injury+and+fibrosis+by+obstructive+cholestasis.">Bile duct ligation in mice: induction of inflammatory liver injury and fibrosis by obstructive cholestasis.</a> J Vis Exp. (96), e52438 (2015).</li><li>Osawa, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Systemic+mediators+induce+fibrogenic+effects+in+normal+liver+after+partial+bile+duct+ligation.">Systemic mediators induce fibrogenic effects in normal liver after partial bile duct ligation.</a> Liver Int. 26 (9), 1138-1147 (2006).</li><li>Khan, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bile+Duct+Ligation+Induces+ATZ+Globule+Clearance+in+a+Mouse+Model+of+alpha-1+Antitrypsin+Deficiency.">Bile Duct Ligation Induces ATZ Globule Clearance in a Mouse Model of alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.</a> Gene Expr. 17 (2), 115-127 (2017).</li><li>Birkhead, H. A., Briggs, G. B., Saunders, L. Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Toxicology+of+cefazolin+in+animals.">Toxicology of cefazolin in animals.</a> J Infect Dis. 128, 378 (1973).</li><li>Kunst, M. W., Mattie, H., van Furth, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antibacterial+efficacy+of+cefazolin+and+cephradine+in+neutropenic+mice.">Antibacterial efficacy of cefazolin and cephradine in neutropenic mice.</a> Infection. 7 (1), 30-34 (1979).</li><li>Traul, K. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Safety+studies+of+post-surgical+buprenorphine+therapy+for+mice.">Safety studies of post-surgical buprenorphine therapy for mice.</a> Lab Anim. 49 (2), 100-110 (2015).</li><li>Carlson, J. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Accumulation+of+PiZ+alpha+1-antitrypsin+causes+liver+damage+in+transgenic+mice.">Accumulation of PiZ alpha 1-antitrypsin causes liver damage in transgenic mice.</a> J Clin Invest. 83 (4), 1183-1190 (1989).</li><li>Sifers, R. N., Finegold, M. J., Woo, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alpha-1-antitrypsin+deficiency:+accumulation+or+degradation+of+mutant+variants+within+the+hepatic+endoplasmic+reticulum.">Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency: accumulation or degradation of mutant variants within the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum.</a> Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 1 (5), 341-345 (1989).</li><li>Rudnick, D. A., Shikapwashya, O., Blomenkamp, K., Teckman, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Indomethacin+increases+liver+damage+in+a+murine+model+of+liver+injury+from+alpha-1-antitrypsin+deficiency.">Indomethacin increases liver damage in a murine model of liver injury from alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.</a> Hepatology. 44 (4), 976-982 (2006).</li><li>Heinrich, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Partial+bile+duct+ligation+in+mice:+a+novel+model+of+acute+cholestasis.">Partial bile duct ligation in mice: a novel model of acute cholestasis.</a> Surgery. 149 (3), 445-451 (2011).</li><li>Glaser, S. S., Alpini, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activation+of+the+cholehepatic+shunt+as+a+potential+therapy+for+primary+sclerosing+cholangitis.">Activation of the cholehepatic shunt as a potential therapy for primary sclerosing cholangitis.</a> Hepatology. 49 (6), 1795-1797 (2009).</li><li>Gurpinar, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+sulindac+derivative+inhibits+lung+adenocarcinoma+cell+growth+through+suppression+of+Akt/mTOR+signaling+and+induction+of+autophagy.">A novel sulindac derivative inhibits lung adenocarcinoma cell growth through suppression of Akt/mTOR signaling and induction of autophagy.</a> Mol Cancer Ther. 12 (5), 663-674 (2013).</li><li>Alpini, G. G., Francis, H., Marzioni, M., Venter, J., Phinizy, J., LeSage, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Madame Curie Bioscience Database. , (2013).</li><li>Kirkland, J. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reversible+surgical+model+of+biliary+inflammation+and+obstructive+jaundice+in+mice.">Reversible surgical model of biliary inflammation and obstructive jaundice in mice.</a> J Surg Res. 164 (2), 221-227 (2010).</li><li>Delhove, J. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Longitudinal+in+vivo+bioimaging+of+hepatocyte+transcription+factor+activity+following+cholestatic+liver+injury+in+mice.">Longitudinal in vivo bioimaging of hepatocyte transcription factor activity following cholestatic liver injury in mice.</a> Sci Rep. 7, 41874 (2017).</li><li>Li, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Homing+of+bone+marrow+mesenchymal+stem+cells+mediated+by+sphingosine+1-phosphate+contributes+to+liver+fibrosis.">Homing of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells mediated by sphingosine 1-phosphate contributes to liver fibrosis.</a> J Hepatol. 50 (6), 1174-1183 (2009).</li><li>Xu, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Factors+released+from+cholestatic+rat+livers+possibly+involved+in+inducing+bone+marrow+hepatic+stem+cell+priming.">Factors released from cholestatic rat livers possibly involved in inducing bone marrow hepatic stem cell priming.</a> Stem Cells Dev. 17 (1), 143-155 (2008).</li><li>Sharma, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Propitious+role+of+bone+marrow-derived+mononuclear+cells+in+an+experimental+bile+duct+ligation+model:+potential+clinical+implications+in+obstructive+cholangiopathy.">Propitious role of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in an experimental bile duct ligation model: potential clinical implications in obstructive cholangiopathy.</a> Pediatr Surg Int. 29 (6), 623-632 (2013).</li></ol>

Although cBDL is the most common experimental technique for obstructive cholestasis, it can present multiple challenges in rodents. Depending on the number of post-operative days required to achieve an endpoint, the animals can experience significant morbidity and mortality as time progresses. The degree of tissue injury and biliary necrosis is further exacerbated when working with some transgenic mouse models of liver disease, which demonstrate abnormal liver parenchyma and function at baseline. Compared to cBDL, report...

Surgical models of acute liver injury and repair, such as partial hepatectomy or common bile duct ligation (cBDL), have been used for decades in rodents to study liver regeneration and pathobiology1,2. In cBDL, the common bile duct (which drains all bile produced in the liver) is ligated, resulting in obstructive cholestasis, inflammation, and fibrosis in the first 2-3 weeks following surgery, with eventual progression to cirrhosis3. Bile duct proliferation, transdifferentiation, and induction of resident liver progenitor cells are also features of cBDL4,5. Although cBDL elucidates specific mechanisms of obstructive cholangiopathy, which are well-characterized with reproducible outcomes in wild-type mice and in those strains with normal livers6,7,8, the procedure can be technically demanding in some transgenic mouse models of liver diseases, requiring more animals than anticipated due to the higher morbidity and mortality of biliary obstruction over time. This technique is also beneficial for studying transgenic mice with underlying liver disease, which might not otherwise tolerate the stress of prolonged time course experiments following cBDL.
pBDL can provide a reasonable alternative to help overcome some of these challenges. Initial pBDL studies in wild-type mice aimed to distinguish locally acting and systemic mediators of inflammation9. In pBDL, the main biliary confluence of the right and left hepatic bile ducts above the common bile duct is carefully visualized at the hilum, and only the left hepatic bile duct is ligated to generate a localized obstructive cholestasis. pBDL offers several advantages to cBDL. In pBDL, the unligated right lobe serves as an identically matched internal control for the ligated left lobe, subjected to the same systemic effects, such as nutritional status or circulating factors. Although systemic pro-inflammatory mediators were present, Osawa et al. observed less fibrosis and necrosis in the unligated lobes, but increased inflammatory cells and transforming growth factor-&#946; expression in the ligated lobe9.
More recently, pBDL has been redefined to study liver parenchymal effects of retained bile10. By using the same animal for internal control (unligated &#34;sham&#34;) and experimental groups, pBDL effectively halves the number of animals needed per experiment, which in turn is more cost-effective. The mice tolerate the effects of pBDL much better, so that the ideal time course experiment (&#8805;2 weeks) can be achieved in the ligated lobe. Most importantly, pBDL can distinguish direct intrahepatic effects of obstructive cholestasis and retained bile components in the ligated lobe, compared to the unligated control lobe. Overall, pBDL is an attractive method to study lobe-specific effects of localized cholestasis in the liver.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:1040px;" width="1039">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:343px;">Microscope-Leica Wild M650, 6&#8211;40&#215; magnification</td>
			<td style="width:336px;">Leica Microsystems</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">n/a</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Tec 3 isoflurane funnel fill vaporizer</td>
			<td>General Anesthetic Services</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Stevens Tenotomy Scissors</td>
			<td>Accurate Surgical &#38; Scientific Instruments Corporation</td>
			<td>ASSI.9193</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Adson Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine science tools</td>
			<td>11006-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Mosquito classic delicate hemostatic forceps</td>
			<td>Codman</td>
			<td>30-4472</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Micro-retractor</td>
			<td>Murdock; Roboz Surgical Instrument</td>
			<td>RS-6550</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Nonwoven gauze sponges</td>
			<td>Fisherband</td>
			<td>870-PC-DBL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Puritan 6&#8221; Small Cotton Swab w/Wooden Handle</td>
			<td>Puritan Medical Products Company</td>
			<td>868-WCS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Dumont SS Forceps - Standard Tips/Straight/Inox/13.5cm</td>
			<td>Fine science tools</td>
			<td>11203-23</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Dumont SS Forceps - Standard Tips/Angled 45&#176;/Inox/13.5cm</td>
			<td>Fine science tools</td>
			<td>11203-25</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Vannas Spring Scissors - 3mm Cutting Edge</td>
			<td>Fine science tools</td>
			<td>15000-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Microneedle holder</td>
			<td>Aesculap Surgical Instruments</td>
			<td>FD231R</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Micro AROSuture, sterile 10-0 nylon suture, 70 &#181;m, TAP points</td>
			<td>AROSurgical Instruments Corporation</td>
			<td>T4A10N07</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">4-0 Vicryl</td>
			<td>Ethicon</td>
			<td>J662H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">5-ml Syringe</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>309646</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Falcon tissue culture dish, 60 &#215; 15 mm</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>353002</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:343px;">Isoflurane, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) liquid for inhalation, 250 ml</td>
			<td>Piramal Healthcare</td>
			<td>NDC 66794-017-25</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Buprenex injectable (buprenorphine hydrochloride)</td>
			<td>Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals</td>
			<td>NDC 12496-0757-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Cefazolin for injection , USP</td>
			<td>APP Pharmaceuticals</td>
			<td>NDC 63323-238-61</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">PVP scrub solution (povidone&#8211;iodine 7.5%)</td>
			<td>Medline</td>
			<td>NDC 12496-0757-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">70% Ethanol</td>
			<td>Decon Labs</td>
			<td>2716</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:343px;">Phosphate Buffered Saline Without Calcium or Magnesium</td>
			<td style="width:336px;">LONZA</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">17-516F</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:343px;">Sirius Red</td>
			<td style="width:336px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">365548</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:343px;">Hematolxylin</td>
			<td style="width:336px;">Fisher (Richard-Allan Scientific)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">22-050-111 (7211)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:343px;">Eosin</td>
			<td style="width:336px;">Anatech (Fisher)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">832 (NC9686037)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:343px;">Formalin</td>
			<td style="width:336px;">Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">SF100-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

partial bile duct ligation in the mouse: a controlled model of localized obstructive cholestasis

In rodents, complete bile duct ligation (cBDL) of the common bile duct is an established surgical technique for studying obstructive cholestasis and bile duct proliferation. However, long-term experiments can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. In select mouse strains with underlying liver disease, meaningful comparisons can be made even with ligation of a single lobe of the liver, which can reduce animal losses and expenses. Here, we describe partial bile duct ligation (pBDL) in the mouse, in which only the left hepatic bile duct is ligated, causing biliary obstruction in the left lobe but not the remaining lobes. With careful microsurgical technique, pBDL experiments can be cost-effective, since the unligated lobe serves as an internal control to the ligated lobes, when subjected to the same conditions in the same animal. Unlike cBDL, a separate sham-operated control group is not necessary. pBDL is highly useful to directly compare localized versus systemic effects of cholestasis and other retained bile components. pBDL can also be repurposed as a novel method to investigate mechanisms related to medications and cell migration.

For this typical experiment, pBDL was performed in triplicate PiZ transgenic mice, which recapitulate the human liver disease found in alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency. The PiZ mouse overexpresses a transgene consisting of multiple genomic fragments of DNA that contain the coding regions of the mutant human A1AT gene and promoter, together with introns and ~2 kilobases of upstream and downstream flanking regions14,15. Normal ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Partial Bile Duct Ligation in the Mouse: A Controlled Model of Localized Obstructive Cholestasis at JoVE.com

Partial Bile Duct Ligation in the Mouse: A Controlled Model of Localized Obstructive Cholestasis

Here, we present partial bile duct ligation as a surgical model of liver injury and regeneration in rodents.

In rodents, complete bile duct ligation (cBDL) of the common bile duct is an established surgical technique for studying obstructive cholestasis and bile ...

The overall goal of this surgical intervention is to observe the effects of localized obstructive cholestasis. This method can help answer key questions in the hepatology field about how to identify mechanisms of liver regeneration. The main advantage of this technique is that meaningful comparisons can be made between the ligated experimental lobe and the unligated control lobe within the same animal.Demonstrating the procedure today will be Dr.Toshimasa Nakao, a post-doc from the transplant surgery laboratory. After confirming a lack of response to toe pinch in an anesthetized eight to 12-week-old C57 black 6 mouse, shave the abdominal region with hair clippers and place the animal under a surgical microscope. Secure the limbs to the table and use sterile swabs to sequentially disinfect the surgical area with 0.3 to 0.5 milliliters of povidone-iodine and 70%ethanol.Next, make a midline incision from the xiphoid to the pubis and use a micro retractor to open the abdominal cavity. Use mosquito forceps to retract the xiphoid toward the head of the mouse and use soft clay to hold the forceps and xiphoid in this position. Hydrate the abdominal cavity with one to two milliliters of sterilized 37 degrees Celsius PBS and use wet cotton swabs to gently move the small intestine toward the head of the mouse.Cut the ligaments between the small intestine and the retroperitoneum to avoid damaging the tissue and wrap the small and large intestines with a wet non-woven gauze sponge. Place the bowel tissue on the caudal side of the abdominal cavity and use a small wet non-woven gauze sponge to gently retract the entire liver toward the xiphoid to expose the hepatic hilum and the hepatoduodenal ligament. Locate the hepatic hilum, the common bile duct on the ventral side of the portal vein, and the left and right hepatic bile ducts which drain into the main biliary confluence at the hepatic hilum.Using a 10-0 nylon suture and the blunt side of a suture needle, ligate the left hepatic bile duct lobe. When the suture has been placed, return the small and large intestines to their anatomical location and confirm a lack of intestinal torsion or intraabdominal bleeding. Then remove the mosquito forceps, separately close the muscle and skin layers with continuous 4-0 Vicryl sutures, and place the mouse under a heat lamp with monitoring until full recovery.Comparison of the serum liver biochemistries between partial bile duct ligated mice and complete bile duct ligated mice transgenic for insoluble liver protein aggregation reveals minimal liver injury or cholestasis in the partial bile duct ligated mice and severe injury and enzyme buildup in the complete bile duct ligated transgenic animals. As mice subjected to partial bile duct ligation developed lobe-specific obstructive cholestasis over time, the ligated lobe appears slightly paler in color 14 days after surgery compared to the unligated lobes which maintained their normal dark reddish brown color. The ligated lobe also demonstrates an increase in bile duct proliferation and fibrosis compared to the unligated lobes in response to ligation-induced localized cholestasis.Once mastered, this technique can be completed in 10 to 12 minutes if it is performed properly. Following this procedure, other methods like lineage tracing can be used to answer additional questions about stem cell homing to sites of liver injury and regeneration. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to make meaningful comparisons using partial bile duct ligation to identify local versus systemic effects.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

15.2K ビュー.  Jichi Medical University. The overall goal of this surgical intervention is to observe the effects of localized obstructive cholestasis. This method can help answer key questions in the hepatology field about how to identify mechanisms of liver regeneration. The main advantage of this technique is that meaningful comparisons can be made between the ligated experimental lobe and the unligated control lobe within the same animal.Demonstrating the procedure today will be Dr.Toshimasa Nakao, a post-doc from the tra...

ビデオ: Partial Bile Duct Ligation in the Mouse: A Controlled Model of Localized Obstructive Cholestasis

Here, we present partial bile duct ligation as a surgical model of liver injury and regeneration in...

bile duct ligation in mice: induction of inflammatory liver injury and fibrosis by obstructive cholestasis

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

Disruption of bile flow results in severe inflammatory cholestatic liver injury with a characteristic time-dependent sequence of morphological alterations. Here we present a protocol for the surgical ligation of the common bile duct in mice that allows to induce a strong fibrotic response after 21 to 28...

determining bile duct density in the mouse liver

Determining Bile Duct Density in the Mouse Liver

We present a rather simple and sensitive method for accurate quantification of bile duct density in the mouse liver. This method can aid in determining the effects of genetic and environmental modifiers and the effectiveness of potential therapies in mouse models of biliary...

a mouse model for chronic pancreatitis via bile duct tnbs infusion

A Mouse Model for Chronic Pancreatitis via Bile Duct TNBS Infusion

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the pancreas, often associated with intractable abdominal pain. This article focuses on refining the technique to generate a mouse model of CP via bile duct infusion with 2,4,6 -trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS).

extrahepatic bile duct and gall bladder dissection in nine-day-old mouse neonates

Extrahepatic Bile Duct and Gall Bladder Dissection in Nine-Day-Old Mouse Neonates

For the observation of murine neonatal bile duct disorders, an intact bile duct and efficient preparation are required. Therefore, a new approach for isolating the entire extrahepatic bile duct system in murine neonates was successfully developed while maintaining the integrity of the bile...

surgical injury to the mouse pancreas through ligation of the pancreatic duct as a model for endocrine and exocrine reprogramming and proliferation

Surgical Injury to the Mouse Pancreas through Ligation of the Pancreatic Duct as a Model for Endocrine and Exocrine Reprogramming and Proliferation

This protocol describes an injury model involving the surgical ligation of the pancreatic duct in the adult mouse pancreas, resulting in severe injury that establishes an environment that allows beta cell neogenesis and proliferation. This model can be used as a tool to study mechanisms involved in beta cell formation.

a mouse model of intestinal partial obstruction

A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction

Intestinal obstructions are a partial or complete blockage of the intestine that can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and preventing the passage of stool. This procedure for creating intestinal partial obsructions in mice is reliable in studying the mechanisms underlying pathological cell growth and death in the...

partial sciatic nerve ligation: a mouse model of chronic neuropathic pain to study the antinociceptive effect of novel therapies

Partial Sciatic Nerve Ligation: A Mouse Model of Chronic Neuropathic Pain to Study the Antinociceptive Effect of Novel Therapies

Partial sciatic nerve ligation induces long-lasting chronic neuropathic pain, characterized by exaggerated responses to thermal and mechanical stimuli. This mouse model of neuropathic pain is commonly used to study innovative therapies for pain management. This article describes in detail the surgical procedure to improve standardization and...

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

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...

laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in patients with a previous history of biliary tract surgery

Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration in Patients with a Previous History of Biliary Tract Surgery

Programmed surgery based on surgical methods and anatomical markers helps shorten the operation time, reduce complications, and improve the safety of the surgery. This study investigated and summarized the surgical methods and anatomic markers of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in patients with a history of biliary tract...

a model of disturbed flow-induced atherosclerosis in mouse carotid artery by partial ligation and a simple method of rna isolation from carotid endothelium

A Model of Disturbed Flow-Induced Atherosclerosis in Mouse Carotid Artery by Partial Ligation and a Simple Method of RNA Isolation from Carotid Endothelium

This describes a partial carotid ligation surgery, which causes disturbed flow conditions and subsequent atherosclerosis development (in two weeks) with intraplaque neo-vascularization (in four weeks) in the mouse common carotid artery.  We also describe a novel method of RNA isolation from the carotid intima, providing high purity endothelial...

establishment of a mouse severe acute pancreatitis model using retrograde injection of sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct

Establishment of a Mouse Severe Acute Pancreatitis Model using Retrograde Injection of Sodium Taurocholate into the Biliopancreatic Duct

A mouse model of severe acute pancreatitis is described herein. The procedure presented here is very rapid, simple, and accessible, thereby potentially allowing the study of the molecular mechanisms and different therapeutic interventions in acute pancreatitis in a convenient...

ileectomy-induced bile overaccumulation in mouse intestine

Ileectomy-induced Bile Overaccumulation in Mouse Intestine

Small intestine-dependent bile acid reabsorption and feedback inhibition of hepatic bile acid synthesis is important for systemic homeostasis and health. In this study, we describe a mouse model for ileal resection to evaluate ileectomy-induced bile malabsorption, overaccumulation, and toxicity in mouse...

a controlled mouse model for neonatal polymicrobial sepsis

A Controlled Mouse Model for Neonatal Polymicrobial Sepsis

This protocol provides the necessary steps to establish and evaluate neonatal sepsis in 7-day-old mice.

evaluation of a reliable biomarker in a cecal ligation and puncture-induced mouse model of sepsis

Evaluation of a Reliable Biomarker in a Cecal Ligation and Puncture-Induced Mouse Model of Sepsis

This protocol presents the operative details of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in a mouse model of sepsis. CLP is one of the most widely used techniques to create an animal model of sepsis. Therefore, a standardized CLP protocol is required for the attainment of reliable research...

modeling transuterine fetal tracheal occlusion in murine model: a surgical procedure for ligation of the fetal trachea within a pregnant mouse

This video demonstrates the transuterine tracheal occlusion procedure of a mouse fetus in a pregnant mouse. This model can be used to study the impact of occluded trachea on lung...

Modeling Transuterine Fetal Tracheal Occlusion in Murine Model: A Surgical Procedure for Ligation of the Fetal Trachea Within a Pregnant Mouse

acute biliary pancreatitis model: a method to generate acute biliary pancreatitis mouse model via pancreatic duct infusion

This video describes the procedure for the generation of a mouse model with acute biliary pancreatitis via pancreatic infusion of sodium taurocholate. This model helps study pathophysiological changes induced by sodium taurocholate in the...

Acute Biliary Pancreatitis Model: A Method to Generate Acute Biliary Pancreatitis Mouse Model via Pancreatic Duct Infusion

a mouse model of the associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy procedure aided by microscopy

Author Spotlight: Advancing Liver Regeneration Research through ALPPS Mouse Model

Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) has been shown to result in remarkable liver regeneration after several weeks post first-stage surgery. Animal models that have undergone ALPPS have been developed to explore potential liver regeneration ability and achieve favorable clinical...

A Mouse Model of the Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy Procedure Aided by Microscopy

a mouse model of chronic liver fibrosis for the study of biliary atresia

A Mouse Model of Chronic Liver Fibrosis for the Study of Biliary Atresia

We established a mouse model of chronic liver fibrosis, which provides a suitable animal model for the virus-induced liver fibrosis mechanistic study of biliary atresia (BA) and a platform for future BA...

The Microfluidic Probe: Operation and Use for Localized Surface Processing

Microfluidic devices allow assays to be performed using minute amounts of sample and have recently been used to control the microenvironment of cells. Microfluidics is commonly associated with closed microchannels which limit their use to samples that can be introduced, and cultured in the case of cells, within a confined volume. On the other hand, micropipetting system have been used to locally perfuse cells and surfaces, notably using push-pull setups where one pipette acts as source and the other one as sink, but the confinement of the flow is difficult in three dimensions. Furthermore, pipettes are fragile and difficult to position and hence are used in static configuration only. 
The microfluidic probe (MFP) circumvents the constraints imposed by the construction of closed microfluidic channels and instead of enclosing the sample into the microfluidic system, the microfluidic flow can be directly delivered onto the sample, and scanned across the sample, using the MFP. . The injection and aspiration openings are located within a few tens of micrometers of one another so that a microjet injected into the gap is confined by the hydrodynamic forces of the surrounding liquid and entirely aspirated back into the other opening. The microjet can be flushed across the substrate surface and provides a precise tool for localized deposition/delivery of reagents which can be used over large areas by scanning the probe across the surface. 
In this video we present the microfluidic probe1 (MFP). We explain in detail how to assemble the MFP, mount it atop an inverted microscope, and align it relative to the substrate surface, and finally show how to use it to process a substrate surface immersed in a buffer.

In this video we present the microfluidic probe1 (MFP). We explain in detail how to assemble the MFP, mount it atop an inverted microscope, and align it relative to the substrate surface, and finally show how to use it to process a substrate surface immersed in a buffer solution.

Microfluidic devices allow assays to be performed using minute amounts of sample and have recently been used to control the microenvironment of cells. ...

LAD-Ligation: A Murine Model of Myocardial Infarction

Research models of infarction and myocardial ischemia are essential to investigate the acute and chronic pathobiological and pathophysiological processes in myocardial ischemia and to develop and optimize future treatment.
Two different methods of creating myocardial ischemia are performed in laboratory rodents. The first method is to create cryo infarction, a fast but inaccurate technique, where a cryo-pen is applied on the surface of the heart (1-3). Using this method the scientist can not guarantee that the cryo-scar leads to ischemia, also a vast myocardial injury is created that shows pathophysiological side effects that are not related to myocardial infarction. The second method is the permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Here the LAD is ligated with one single stitch, forming an ischemia that can be seen almost immediately. By closing the LAD, no further blood flow is permitted in that area, while the surrounding myocardial tissue is nearly not affected. This surgical procedure imitates the pathobiological and pathophysiological aspects occurring in infarction-related myocardial ischemia.
The method introduced in this video demonstrates the surgical procedure of a mouse infarction model by ligating the LAD. This model is convenient for pathobiological and pathophysiological as well as immunobiological studies on cardiac infarction. The shown technique provides high accuracy and correlates well with histological sections.

This video demonstrates how to use a fast and reliable model to study pathobiological and pathophysiological processes of myocardial ischemia.

Research models of infarction and myocardial ischemia are essential to investigate the acute and chronic pathobiological and pathophysiological processes ...

Surgical Induction of Endolymphatic Hydrops by Obliteration of the Endolymphatic Duct

Surgical induction of endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) in the guinea pig by obliteration and obstruction of the endolymphatic duct is a well-accepted animal model of the condition and an important correlate for human Meniere's disease. In 1965, Robert Kimura and Harold Schuknecht first described an intradural approach for obstruction of the endolymphatic duct (Kimura 1965). Although effective, this technique, which requires penetration of the brain's protective covering, incurred an undesirable level of morbidity and mortality in the animal subjects. Consequently, Andrews and Bohmer developed an extradural approach, which predictably produces fewer of the complications associated with central nervous system (CNS) penetration.(Andrews and Bohmer 1989) 
The extradural approach described here first requires a midline incision in the region of the occiput to expose the underlying muscular layer. We operate only on the right side. After appropriate retraction of the overlying tissue, a horizontal incision is made into the musculature of the right occiput to expose the right temporo-occipital suture line. The bone immediately inferio-lateral the suture line (Fig 1) is then drilled with an otologic drill until the sigmoid sinus becomes visible. Medial retraction of the sigmoid sinus reveals the operculum of the endolymphatic duct, which houses the endolymphatic sac. Drilling medial to the operculum into the area of the endolymphatic sac reveals the endolymphatic duct, which is then packed with bone wax to produce obstruction and ultimately ELH. 
In the following weeks, the animal will demonstrate the progressive, fluctuating hearing loss and histologic evidence of ELH.

This video shows how to surgically obstruct the guinea pig's endolymphatic duct to produce endolymphatic hydrops.

Surgical induction of endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) in the guinea pig by obliteration and obstruction of the endolymphatic duct is a well-accepted animal ...

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models. This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer, treatment of cancer via oral delivery of drugs, and monitoring of tumor cell behavior in response to drug treatment in real time using in vivo imaging system. In this orthotopic model, ovarian tumor cells expressing luciferase are applied topically by injecting them directly into the mouse bursa where each ovary is enclosed. Upon injection of D-luciferin, a substrate of firefly luciferase, luciferase-expressing cells generate bioluminescence signals. This signal is detected by the in vivo imaging system and allows for a non-invasive means of monitoring tumor growth, distribution, and regression in individual animals. Drug administration via oral gavage allows for a maximum dosing volume of 10 mL/kg body weight to be delivered directly to the stomach and closely resembles delivery of drugs in clinical treatments. Therefore, techniques described here, development of an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer, oral delivery of drugs, and in vivo imaging, are useful for better understanding of human ovarian cancer and treatment and will improve targeting this disease.

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Orthotopic animal models of ovarian cancer replicate better human disease and therefore enhance our understanding of cancer progression and tumor response to therapy. A mouse model receives an intrabursal injection of luciferase-expressing ovarian tumor cells. Treatment is administered via oral gavage. Tumor growth is monitored by in vivo imaging system.

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models.  This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model ...

Isolation of Basal Cells and Submucosal Gland Duct Cells from Mouse Trachea

The large airways are directly in contact with the environment and therefore susceptible to injury from toxins and infectious agents that we breath in 1. The large airways therefore require an efficient repair mechanism to protect our bodies. This repair process occurs from stem cells in the airways and isolating these stem cells from the airways is important for understanding the mechanisms of repair and regeneration. It is also important for understanding abnormal repair that can lead to airway diseases 2. The goal of this method is to isolate a novel stem cell population from the mouse tracheal submucosal gland ducts and to place these cells in in vitro and in vivo model systems to identify the mechanisms of repair and regeneration of the submucosal glands 3. This production shows methods that can be used to isolate and assay the duct and basal stem cells from the large airways 3.This will allow us to study diseases of the airway, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Currently, there are no methods for isolation of submucosal gland duct cells and there are no in vivo models to study the regeneration of submucosal glands.

Here we demonstrate our protocol for isolation of basal and submucosal gland duct cells from mouse tracheas. We also demonstrate the method of injecting stem cells into the dorsal mouse fat pad to create an in vivo model of submucosal gland regeneration.

The large airways are directly in contact with the environment and therefore susceptible to injury from toxins and infectious agents that we breath in 1. ...

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Localized mRNAs in Mammalian Cells

In eukaryotes, most of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode secreted and membrane proteins are localized to the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the visualization of these mRNAs can be challenging. This is especially true when only a fraction of the mRNA is ER-associated and their distribution to this organelle is obstructed by non-targeted (i.e. "free") transcripts. In order to monitor ER-associated mRNAs, we have developed a method in which cells are treated with a short exposure to a digitonin extraction solution that selectively permeabilizes the plasma membrane, and thus removes the cytoplasmic contents, while simultaneously maintaining the integrity of the ER. When this method is coupled with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), one can clearly visualize ER-bound mRNAs by fluorescent microscopy. Using this protocol the degree of ER-association for either bulk poly(A) transcripts or specific mRNAs can be assessed and even quantified. In the process, one can use this assay to investigate the nature of mRNA-ER interactions.

Here we describe a method to visualize endoplasmic reticulum-associated mRNAs in mammalian tissue culture cells. This technique involves the selective permeabilization of the plasma membrane with digitonin to remove cytoplasmic contents followed by fluorescent in situ hybridization to detect either bulk poly(A) mRNA or specific transcripts.

In eukaryotes, most of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode secreted and membrane proteins are localized to the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum ...

Intraductal Injection for Localized Drug Delivery to the Mouse Mammary Gland

Herein we describe a protocol to deliver various reagents to the mouse mammary gland via intraductal injections. Localized drug delivery and knock-down of genes within the mammary epithelium has been difficult to achieve due to the lack of appropriate targeting molecules that are independent of developmental stages such as pregnancy and lactation. Herein, we describe a technique for localized delivery of reagents to the mammary gland at any stage in adulthood via intraductal injection into the nipples of mice. The injections can be performed on live mice, under anesthesia, and allow for a non-invasive and localized drug delivery to the mammary gland. Furthermore, the injections can be repeated over several months without damaging the nipple. Vital dyes such as Evans Blue are very helpful to learn the technique. Upon intraductal injection of the blue dye, the entire ductal tree becomes visible to the eye. Furthermore, fluorescently labeled reagents also allow for visualization and distribution within the mammary gland. This technique is adaptable for a variety of compounds including siRNA, chemotherapeutic agents, and small molecules.

A protocol for the non-invasive intraductal delivery of aqueous reagents to the mouse mammary gland is described. The method takes advantage of localized injection into the nipples of mammary glands targeting mammary ducts specifically. This technique is adaptable for a variety of compounds including siRNA, chemotherapeutic agents and small molecules.

Herein we describe a protocol to deliver various reagents to the mouse mammary gland via intraductal injections. Localized drug delivery and knock-down of ...

Validation of a Mouse Model to Disrupt LINC Complexes in a Cell-specific Manner

Nuclear migration and anchorage within developing and adult tissues relies heavily upon large macromolecular protein assemblies called LInkers of the Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC complexes). These protein scaffolds span the nuclear envelope and connect the interior of the nucleus to components of the surrounding cytoplasmic cytoskeleton. LINC complexes consist of two evolutionary-conserved protein families, Sun proteins and Nesprins that harbor C-terminal molecular signature motifs called the SUN and KASH domains, respectively. Sun proteins are transmembrane proteins of the inner nuclear membrane whose N-terminal nucleoplasmic domain interacts with the nuclear lamina while their C-terminal SUN domains protrudes into the perinuclear space and interacts with the KASH domain of Nesprins. Canonical Nesprin isoforms have a variable sized N-terminus that projects into the cytoplasm and interacts with components of the cytoskeleton. This protocol describes the validation of a dominant-negative transgenic mouse strategy that disrupts endogenous SUN/KASH interactions in a cell-type specific manner. Our approach is based on the Cre/Lox system that bypasses many drawbacks such as perinatal lethality and cell nonautonomous phenotypes that are associated with germline models of LINC complex inactivation. For this reason, this model provides a useful tool to understand the role of LINC complexes during development and homeostasis in a wide array of tissues.

Nuclear envelope proteins play a central role in many basic biological processes and have been implicated in a variety of human diseases. This protocol describes a new Cre/Lox-based mouse model that allows for the spatiotemporal control of LINC complexes disruption.

Nuclear migration and anchorage within developing and adult tissues relies heavily upon large macromolecular protein assemblies called LInkers of the ...

Intestinal obstructions, that impede or block peristaltic movement, can be caused by abdominal adhesions and most gastrointestinal (GI) diseases including tumorous growths. However, the cellular remodeling mechanisms involved in, and caused by, intestinal obstructions are poorly understood. Several animal models of intestinal obstructions have been developed, but the mouse model is the most cost/time effective. The mouse model uses the surgical implantation of an intestinal partial obstruction (PO) that has a high mortality rate if it is not performed correctly. In addition, mice receiving PO surgery fail to develop hypertrophy if an appropriate blockade is not used or not properly placed. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for PO surgery which produces reliable and reproducible intestinal obstructions with a very low mortality rate. This protocol utilizes a surgically placed silicone ring that surrounds the ileum which partially blocks digestive movement in the small intestine. The partial blockage makes the intestine become dilated due to the halt of digestive movement. The dilation of the intestine induces smooth muscle hypertrophy on the oral side of the ring that progressively develops over 2 weeks until it causes death. The surgical PO mouse model offers an in vivo model of hypertrophic intestinal tissue useful for studying pathological changes of intestinal cells including smooth muscle cells (SMC), interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), PDGFR&#945;+, and neuronal cells during the development of intestinal obstruction.

Intestinal obstructions are a partial or complete blockage of the intestine that can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and preventing the passage of stool. This procedure for creating intestinal partial obsructions in mice is reliable in studying the mechanisms underlying pathological cell growth and death in the intestine.

Intestinal obstructions, that impede or block peristaltic movement, can be caused by abdominal adhesions and most gastrointestinal (GI) diseases including ...

Isolation and 3D Collagen Sandwich Culture of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes to Study the Role of Cytoskeleton in Bile Canalicular Formation In Vitro

Hepatocytes are the central cells of the liver responsible for its metabolic function. As such, they form a uniquely polarized epithelium, in which two or more hepatocytes contribute apical membranes to form a bile canalicular network through which bile is secreted. Hepatocyte polarization is essential for correct canalicular formation and depends on interactions between the hepatocyte cytoskeleton, cell-cell contacts, and the extracellular matrix. In vitro studies of hepatocyte cytoskeleton involvement in canaliculi formation and its response to pathological situations are handicapped by the lack of cell culture, which would closely resemble the canaliculi network structure in vivo. Described here is a protocol for the isolation of mouse hepatocytes from the adult mouse liver using a modified collagenase perfusion technique. Also described is the production of culture in a 3D collagen sandwich setting, which is used for immunolabeling of cytoskeletal components to study bile canalicular formation and its response to treatments in vitro. It is shown that hepatocyte 3D collagen sandwich cultures respond to treatments with toxins (ethanol) or actin cytoskeleton altering drugs (e.g., blebbistatin) and serve as a valuable tool for in vitro studies of bile canaliculi formation and function.

Presented here is a protocol for the isolation of mouse hepatocytes from adult mouse livers using a modified collagenase perfusion technique. Also described is the long-term culture of hepatocytes in a 3D collagen sandwich setting as well as immunolabeling of the cytoskeletal components to study bile canalicular formation and its response to treatment.

Hepatocytes are the central cells of the liver responsible for its metabolic function. As such, they form a uniquely polarized epithelium, in which two or ...