Name: taking the next step: a neural coaptation orthotopic hind limb transplant model to maximize functional recovery in rat
Uploaded: 2020-08-30T13:00:00
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This work was funded by the Frankel Foundation and the Northwestern Memorial Hospital McCormick Grant (Operation RESTORE). Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of General Medicial Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award&#160;Number T32GM008152. This work was supported by the Northwestern University Microsurgery Core and Behavioral Phenotyping Core.

All experiments were conducted in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and were approved by the Northwestern University Animal Care and Use Committee. The specific procedures were performed under protocol IS00001663.
NOTE: Two strains of rats were used, Lewis rats and August Copenhagen x Irish (ACI) rats. Animals were divided into three treatment groups: allotransplant without immune suppression (ACI to Lewis), allotran...

<ol>
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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=enzyme+responsive,+tacrolimus-eluting+hydrogel+enables+long-term+survival+of+orthotopic+porcine+limb+vascularized+composite+allografts:+A+proof+of+concept+study.">enzyme responsive, tacrolimus-eluting hydrogel enables long-term survival of orthotopic porcine limb vascularized composite allografts: A proof of concept study.</a> PLoS One. 14 (1), 0210914 (2019).</li><li>Cottrell, B. 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C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experimental+Forelimb+Allotransplantation+in+Canine+Model.">Experimental Forelimb Allotransplantation in Canine Model.</a> BioMed Research International. 2016, 1495710 (2016).</li><li>Mathes, D. W., 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+preclinical+canine+model+for+composite+tissue+transplantation.">A preclinical canine model for composite tissue transplantation.</a> Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery. 26 (3), 201-207 (2010).</li><li>Ibrahim, 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=A+modified+heterotopic+swine+hind+limb+transplant+model+for+translational+vascularized+composite+allotransplantation+(VCA)+research.">A modified heterotopic swine hind limb transplant model for translational vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) research.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (80), e50475 (2013).</li><li>Fries, C. 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G., Serafin, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> A Laboratory Manual of Microsurgery. Fourth Printing. , (1986).</li><li>Tseng, S. 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M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stepwise+motor+and+all-or-none+sensory+recovery+is+associated+with+nonlinear+sparing+after+incremental+spinal+cord+injury+in+rats.">Stepwise motor and all-or-none sensory recovery is associated with nonlinear sparing after incremental spinal cord injury in rats.</a> Experimental Neurology. 191 (2), 251-265 (2005).</li><li>Berryman, E. R., Harris, R. L., Moalli, M., Bagi, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Digigait+quantitation+of+gait+dynamics+in+rat+rheumatoid+arthritis+model.">Digigait quantitation of gait dynamics in rat rheumatoid arthritis model.</a> Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. 9 (2), 89-98 (2009).</li><li>Hamers, F. P., Lankhorst, A. J., van Laar, T. J., Veldhuis, W. B., Gispen, W. 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D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methods+to+quantify+the+velocity+dependence+of+common+gait+measurements+from+automated+rodent+gait+analysis+devices.">Methods to quantify the velocity dependence of common gait measurements from automated rodent gait analysis devices.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 253, 244-253 (2015).</li><li>Yeh, L. S., Gregory, C. R., Theriault, B. R., Hou, S. M., Lecouter, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+functional+model+for+whole+limb+transplantation+in+the+rat.">A functional model for whole limb transplantation in the rat.</a> Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 105 (5), 1704-1711 (2000).</li></ol>

Limb transplant, under the broader category of vascularized component allotransplantation (VCA), has widely applicable therapeutic promise as yet unfulfilled. The main roadblocks lie in unsolved immunological issues unique to VCA and neuromotor recovery techniques used currently. Development of new techniques will depend on animal modeling that is flexible, robust, and reproducible.
Many animal models have been established in VCA, each with specific advantages4. Non-hum...

Limb transplant under the broader category of vascularized-composite allotransplant (VCA) or composite tissue allotransplant (CTA) has yet to fulfill its therapeutic promise. Since the first successful human hand transplants in Lyon, France and Louisville, Kentucky in 1998 and 1999, over 100 upper extremity transplants have been performed worldwide in carefully selected patients1. Wider applicability has been stymied by substantial immunosuppression and limited functional neuromotor recovery. Current immunosuppression strategies result in 85% incidence of acute rejection in the face of 77% incidence of opportunistic infection2. On the other hand, functional recovery after hand transplant occurs; mean Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores improve from 71 to 43, but that level of function may still qualify as a disability2. Given the nonlife saving nature of limb transplant, current techniques must be refined in animal models to take the next step in VCA.
Since the first rat model of limb transplant in 19783, many innovative animal models have been developed to advance the field of VCA4, incorporating vascular cuffed anastomoses to minimize operative time5,6, heterotopic osteomyocutaneous transplants to minimize physiologic insult to the recipient animal7,8,9,10,11, and novel immunologic approaches7,12,13,14. The rat model of orthotopic right hind limb mid-thigh transplant presented here emphasizes meticulous, time-tested microsurgical techniques such as hand sewn vascular anastomoses and neural coaptation as an upfront investment in a robust, reproducible model platform to simultaneously investigate both aspects of current VCA limitation: immunosuppression strategies and functional neuromotor recovery.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Anesthesia machine</td>
			<td>Vet Equip</td>
			<td>911103</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.5cc syringe</td>
			<td>Exel</td>
			<td>26018</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>18-gauge needle</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>305196</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1cc syringe</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>309659</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>22-gauge needle</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>305156</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-gauge angiocatheter</td>
			<td>Sur-Vet</td>
			<td>SROX2419V</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>25-gauge needle</td>
			<td>Exel</td>
			<td>26403</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3 cc syringe</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>309657</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5cc syringe</td>
			<td>Exel</td>
			<td>26230</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alcohol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>HC-600-1GAL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anesthesia induction chamber</td>
			<td>Vet Equip</td>
			<td>941443</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anesthetic gas scavenger system</td>
			<td>Vet Equip</td>
			<td>931401</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bipolar electrocautery</td>
			<td>Aura</td>
			<td>26-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bitter Spray Mist</td>
			<td>Henry Schein</td>
			<td>5553</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bone wax</td>
			<td>CP Medical</td>
			<td>CPB31A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Breathing circuit</td>
			<td>Vet Equip</td>
			<td>921413</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buprenophine</td>
			<td>Reckitt Benckiser</td>
			<td>12496075705</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Castro-Viejos needle drivers</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-6416</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cordless rotary saw</td>
			<td>Dremel</td>
			<td>8050-N/18</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cotton swab stick</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>23-400-101</td>
			<td>For hemostasis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DigiGait Appparatus and Software</td>
			<td>Mouse Specifics</td>
			<td>MSI-DIG, DIG-SOFT</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont forceps (#4)</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-4972</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont forceps (#5)</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-5035</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Enrofloxacin</td>
			<td>Norbrook</td>
			<td>ANADA 200-495</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FK-506</td>
			<td>Astellas</td>
			<td>301601</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gauze</td>
			<td>Kendall</td>
			<td>1903</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gauze</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>8044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gloves</td>
			<td>Microflex</td>
			<td>DGP-350-M</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hair clippers</td>
			<td>Oster</td>
			<td>078005-010-003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Handheld monopolar electrocautery</td>
			<td>Bovie</td>
			<td>AA00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hargreaves Apparatus</td>
			<td>Ugo Basile S.R.L. Gemonio, Italy</td>
			<td>37370</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heating pad</td>
			<td>Walgreens</td>
			<td>126987</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heparin</td>
			<td>Fresenius Kabi</td>
			<td>42592K</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hot plate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>PC-351</td>
			<td>For warming resusscitation fluid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>Henry Schein</td>
			<td>29405</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lactated ringers</td>
			<td>Baxter</td>
			<td>2B2074</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Large petri dish</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>FB0875713</td>
			<td>For donor graft while in chilled saline</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Meloxicam</td>
			<td>Henry Schein</td>
			<td>49755</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>micro Collin Hartmann retractor</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro dissecting scissors</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-5841</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microfibrillar collagen powder</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>1010590</td>
			<td>For hemostasis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microvascular clips</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-5420</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Normal saline</td>
			<td>Baxter</td>
			<td>2F7124</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Opthalmic lube</td>
			<td>Dechra</td>
			<td>IS4398</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rapmycin</td>
			<td>MedChem Express</td>
			<td>HY-10219</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Small petri dish</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>FB0875713A</td>
			<td>For warmed resusscitation fluid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile drapes</td>
			<td>ProAdvantage</td>
			<td>N207100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical gown</td>
			<td>Cardinal Health</td>
			<td>9511</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical mask</td>
			<td>3M</td>
			<td>1805</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical microscope, optic model OPMIMD</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>169756</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical microscope, Universal S3</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>243188</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Suture 10-0 nylon</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>N2512</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Suture 5-0 vicryl</td>
			<td>Ethicon</td>
			<td>J213H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Suture 7-0 silk tie</td>
			<td>Teleflex</td>
			<td>103-S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tape</td>
			<td>3M</td>
			<td>1530-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultrasonic instrument cleaner</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-9911</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vessel dilation forceps</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-5047</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

taking the next step: a neural coaptation orthotopic hind limb transplant model to maximize functional recovery in rat

Limb transplant in particular and vascularized composite allotransplant (VCA) in general have wide therapeutic promise that have been stymied by current limitations in immunosuppression and functional neuromotor recovery. Many animal models have been developed for studying unique features of VCA, but here we present a robust reproducible model of orthotopic hind limb transplant in rats designed to simultaneously investigate both aspects of current VCA limitation: immunosuppression strategies and functional neuromotor recovery. At the core of the model rests a commitment to meticulous, time-tested microsurgical techniques such as hand sewn vascular anastomoses and hand sewn neural coaptation of the femoral nerve and the sciatic nerve. This approach yields durable limb reconstructions that allow for longer lived animals capable of rehabilitation, resumption of daily activities, and functional testing. With short-term treatment of conventional immunosuppressive agents, allotransplanted animals survived up to 70 days post-transplant, and isotransplanted animals provide long lived controls beyond 200 days post-operatively. Evidence of neurologic functional recovery is present by 30 days post operatively. This model not only provides a useful platform for interrogating immunological questions unique to VCA and nerve regeneration, but also allows for in vivo testing of new therapeutic strategies specifically tailored for VCA.

Survival and recovery depend on meticulous surgical technique. Attention to the vascular anastomoses and the neural anastomoses, as well as the bone coaptation as described above is crucial maximizing the success of this model. Operative design and representative anastomotic results are shown in Figure 1.
Overall mortality was dependent on immunosuppression strategy, with the majority of isotransplanted animals attaining the study endpoint of 100-200 post-operativ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Taking the Next Step: a Neural Coaptation Orthotopic Hind Limb Transplant Model to Maximize Functional Recovery in Rat at JoVE.com

Taking the Next Step: a Neural Coaptation Orthotopic Hind Limb Transplant Model to Maximize Functional Recovery in Rat

This protocol presents a robust, reproducible model of vascularized composite allotransplant (VCA) geared toward simultaneous study of immunology and functional recovery. The time invested in meticulous technique in a right mid-thigh hind limb orthotopic transplant with hand sewn vascular anastomoses and neural coaptation yields the ability to study functional recovery.

Limb transplant in particular and vascularized composite allotransplant (VCA) in general have wide therapeutic promise that have been stymied by current ...

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