Name: a minimally invasive model to analyze endochondral fracture healing in mice under standardized biomechanical conditions
Uploaded: 2018-03-22T15:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 6 min 41 s
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Minimally Invasive Model to Analyze Endochondral Fracture Healing in Mice Under Standardized Biomechanical Conditions at JoVE.com

This work was supported by RISystem AG, Davos, Switzerland.

All procedures were performed according to the National Institutes of Health guidelines for the use of experimental animals and followed institutional guidelines (Landesamt f&#252;r Verbraucherschutz, Zentralstelle Amtstier&#228;rztlicher Dienst, Saarbr&#252;cken, Germany).
1. Preparation of Surgical Instruments and Implants
<ol>
	<li>Select a scalpel blade (size 15), a small swab, fine forceps, a 27 G needle, a non-resorbable 5-0 suture, scissors and a needle holder from the microsurgical instrument box.</li>
	<li>Unpack the intramedullary screw, the guide wire (0.3/0.2 mm diameter, 10 cm length), the centering drill bit (0.5 mm diameter) and the hand drill (Figure 1; see Table of Materials). 
	NOTE: The intramedullary screw (0.5 mm diameter, 17.2 mm length) is made of medical-grade stainless steel for retrograde implantation into the femur. The screw has a proximal thread (0.5 mm diameter, 4 mm length) with a nose (0.2 mm diameter, 0.4 mm length) at the tip and distal cone-shaped head (0.8 mm diameter, 0.9 mm length) to achieve fracture compression as well as axial and rotational stability.</li>
	<li>Expose the implants and all surgical instruments to a disinfecting solution (96 % alcohol) for 5 min or sterilize them (steam sterilization, 130 &#176;C, 25 min). After disinfection or sterilization, place the instruments on an operation cloth. Position the operation cloth directly adjacent to the small animal operation table.</li>
</ol>
2. Animals, Anesthesia, and Analgesia
<ol>
	<li>Choose the strain, age, and sex of the mice according to the study question which is addressed. 
	NOTE: For this study 12- to 14-week-old male CD-1 mice were used. The appropriate body weight to use the intramedullary screw is between 25-35 g.</li>
	<li>Anesthetize the mice with an intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg xylazine and 75 mg/kg ketamine. Confirm the anesthetization by toe pinch. Apply eye lubricant to protect the animals&#39; eyes from drying during anesthesia. After induction of anesthesia, place the mouse under a heat radiator to keep the body temperature constant.&#160;During the procedure, animals were monitored with repeated toe pinch to ensure an appropriate plane of anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Apply tramadol-hydrochloride in the drinking water (1.0 mg/mL) for analgesia from day 1 before the surgery until day 3 after the surgery. 
	NOTE: Analgesia and infection prevention should be in agreement with the respective guidelines of the country and institution where the experiments are to be performed.</li>
</ol>
3. Surgical Procedure and Intramedullary Screw Implantation
<ol>
	<li>Before surgery, shave the entire right hind leg and apply a depilatory cream. After 5 min, remove the cream and clean the leg with water. Then, apply a disinfecting solution with 96 % alcohol.&#160;Betadine or chlorhexidine can be added to the alcohol to ensure complete asepsis.</li>
	<li>Under aseptic conditions, place the mouse in the supine position on the small animal operation table. Bend the right knee to allow for an anterior approach to the condyles of the knee. Perform a 5-mm medial parapatellar incision at the right knee using the scalpel blade.</li>
	<li>Mobilize the patellar ligament carefully with the scalpel blade and the swab. Then, shift the patella laterally with the fine forceps to expose the intercondylar notch of the femur.</li>
	<li>Open the intercondylar notch exactly in the middle of the femur between both condyles. Make sure not to exceed 1.0 mm in depth for the drill hole.
	<ol>
		<li>Start manual drilling at a slow speed and a 45 &#176; offset ventrally to the femur axis using the 0.5 mm centering drill bit and the hand drill (Figure 1C and D, Figure 2). During drilling, continuously decrease the angle to 0 &#176; offset (parallel with the bone axis of the femur). Stop drilling when a depth of 1.0 mm is reached.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>After opening the bone at the intercondylar notch, insert the 27 G needle into the intramedullary cavity over the whole length of the femur. Ream the intramedullary cavity of the femur manually through rotary motions of the 27 G needle. Push the needle forward to perforate the cortical bone at the greater trochanter proximally.</li>
	<li>Remove the 27 G needle and apply the guide wire through the distal part of the femur.
	<ol>
		<li>Make a skin incision with a scalpel blade (size 15) proximally over the guide wire and push the guide wire forward until both ends of the guide wire are outside. Make sure to keep the guide wire in place.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Create a defined closed fracture by using the guillotine.
	<ol>
		<li>Place the mouse in lateral position with the right leg under the guillotine. Make sure that the diaphyseal part of the femur is placed in the middle of the guillotine.</li>
		<li>Drop the weight (200 g) from the defined distance of 25.5 cm.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Control the fracture configuration and fracture position as well as the position of the guide wire (Figure 3) using the x-ray device (see Table of Materials).</li>
	<li>Connect the intramedullary screw with the nose at the distal end to the 0.2 mm guide wire and insert it into the femur under continuous pressure, and clockwise rotation.
	<ol>
		<li>Shear of the drive shaft when the sufficient torque is achieved.</li>
		<li>Remove the guide wire proximally.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Reposition the patella and fix the patella tendon to the muscles with one single suture using a 5-0 synthetic, monofilament, nonabsorbable polypropylene suture. Use single sutures of the same material and size to close the wound. Control the reduction of the fragments and the screw position radiologically using the x-ray device (see Table of Materials).</li>
	<li>Keep the animals under the heat radiator until they recover from anesthesia. Do not leave the animals unattended until they have regained sufficient consciousness to maintain ventral recumbency. Return the animals to single cages in the animal facility. Do not return the animals to the company of other animals during the first 24 h, even if they have fully recovered from anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Monitor the animals carefully every day. Maintain postoperative analgesia using tramadol-hydrochloride in the drinking water with a dosage of 1.0 mg/mL during the first three days. Continue analgesia if, on day 4 after surgery, the animals still show evidence of pain, as indicated by vocalization, restlessness, lack of mobility, failure to groom, abnormal posture, and lack of normal interest in surroundings. Terminate analgesia when the animals are pain-free.</li>
	<li>At the end of the experiment euthanize&#160;the animal by an overdose of barbiturate.</li>
</ol>

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The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Critical steps of the surgical procedure are to find the correct entry point for screw implantation in the middle of the femur condyles at the intercondylar notch as well as the optimal orientation of the needle parallel to the bone axis for reaming of the intramedullary cavity. To avoid an incorrect entry position, the surgeon should prepare the notch until an optimal view is achieved. To control the orientation during reaming, the femur of the mice should be held with the fingers in a stable position. A further critica...

Bone healing studies in mice are in great demand because of a broad spectrum of antibodies and genetically-modified animals. These facts allow to study the molecular mechanisms of bone healing1. In the past few years, different bone healing models for mice have been developed2. These models can be divided into open models, in which the bone is osteotomized using an open lateral surgical approach and in closed models, in which the bone is fractured based on the fracture model introduced by Bonnares and Einhorn3. Using this technique, a standardized transverse fracture can be produced by a 3-point bending device and intramedullary implants can be inserted through a small medial parapatellar incision in a minimally invasive technique avoiding a major soft tissue trauma.
The intramedullary screw can be applied for closed fracture stabilization in mice. The screw offers rotational and axial stability. This is achieved by fracture compression through a proximal thread and a distal head4. Further advantages of the screw are the simple surgical technique, the low grade of invasivity, the low implant weight and, most notably, a higher stability providing standardized and controlled biomechanical conditions compared to other intramedullary implants5. In fact, in the most closed fracture models, the fragments are stabilized only by simple pins, which is associated with a complete lack of rotational and axial stability and a high risk of pin and also fracture dislocation. This can markedly influence the healing process, which may result in delayed healing or non-union formation.
It is well known that the stability of the fracture fixation has a tremendous impact on the healing process6,7. A high rigid fixation results in intramembranous healing, while a less rigid fixation, which may allow micromovements in the fracture gap, results in endochondral healing. Stabilization of the fracture with the intramedullary screw shows predominantly an endochondral healing with a large amount of callus tissue, particularly after 2 weeks of fracture healing. The possibility to harvest a large amount of callus tissue enables the analysis of multiple parameters by different techniques.
Here, we report on the design and application of the intramedullary screw in mice, as well as on its advantages and disadvantages in experimental studies on normal endochondral bone healing.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Mouse Screw</td><td>RISystem AG</td><td>221,100</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Guide wire</td><td>RISystem AG</td><td>521,100</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Centering bit</td><td>RISystem AG</td><td>590,205</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hand drill</td><td>RISystem AG</td><td>390,130</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cotton-Swab (150 mm, small head)</td><td>Fink Walter GmbH</td><td>8822428</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Suture (5-0 Prolene)</td><td>Ethicon</td><td>8614H</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Forceps</td><td>Braun Aesculap AG &amp;amp;CoKG</td><td>BD520R</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Scissors</td><td>Braun Aesculap AG &amp;amp;CoKG</td><td>BC100R</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Needle holder</td><td>Braun Aesculap AG &amp;amp;CoKG</td><td>BM024R</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>27 G needle</td><td>Braun Melsungen AG</td><td>9186182</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Scalpel blade size 15</td><td>Braun Aesculap AG &amp;amp;CoKG</td><td>16600525</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Heat radiator</td><td>Sanitas</td><td>605.25</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Depilatory cream</td><td>Asid bonz GmbH</td><td>NDXZ10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Eye lubricant</td><td>Bayer Vital GmbH</td><td>2182442</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Xylazine</td><td>Bayer Vital GmbH</td><td>1320422</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ketamine</td><td>Serumwerke Bernburg</td><td>7005294</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tramadol</td><td>Gr&amp;uuml;nenthal GmbH</td><td>2256241</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Disinfection solution (SoftaseptN)</td><td>Braun Melsungen AG</td><td>8505018</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CD-1 mice</td><td>Charles River</td><td>22</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>X-ray Device</td><td>Faxitron MX-20, Faxitron X-ray Corporation</td><td>2321A0988</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Fracture device small</td><td>RISystem AG</td><td>891,100</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

a minimally invasive model to analyze endochondral fracture healing in mice under standardized biomechanical conditions

Bone healing models are necessary to analyze the complex mechanisms of fracture healing to improve clinical fracture treatment. During the last decade, an increased use of mouse models in orthopedic research was noted, most probably because mouse models offer a large number of genetically-modified strains and special antibodies for the analysis of molecular mechanisms of fracture healing. To control the biomechanical conditions, well-characterized osteosynthesis techniques are mandatory, also in mice. Here, we report on the design and use of a closed bone healing model to stabilize femur fractures in mice. The intramedullary screw, made of medical-grade stainless steel, provides through fracture compression an axial and rotational stability compared to the mostly used simple intramedullary pins, which show a complete lack of axial and rotational stability. The stability achieved by the intramedullary screw allows the analysis of endochondral healing. A large amount of callus tissue, received after stabilization with the screw, offers ideal conditions to harvest tissue for biochemical and molecular analyses. A further advantage of the use of the screw is the fact that the screw can be inserted into the femur with a minimally invasive technique without inducing damage to the soft tissue. In conclusion, the screw is a unique implant that can ideally be used in closed fracture healing models offering standardized biomechanical conditions.

The operating time from skin incision to wound closure was 20 min. The surgery can be performed without a stereo-microscope. Postoperatively, the animals were monitored daily. Post-operative analgesia was terminated after 2 days because none of the animals showed evidence of pain after this time period. The animals showed also normal weight-bearing within 2 days after surgery. Wound infections were not observed during the entire observation period.
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Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Minimally Invasive Model to Analyze Endochondral Fracture Healing in Mice Under Standardized Biomechanical Conditions at JoVE.com

A Minimally Invasive Model to Analyze Endochondral Fracture Healing in Mice Under Standardized Biomechanical Conditions

This protocol describes a minimally invasive osteosynthesis technique using an intramedullary screw for standardized stabilization of femur fractures, which can be used to analyze endochondral bone healing in mice.

Bone healing models are necessary to analyze the complex mechanisms of fracture healing to improve clinical fracture treatment. During the last decade, an ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

8.2K Views.  Saarland University. Dit protocol beschrijft een minimaal invasieve osteosynthese techniek met een schroef intramedullaire voor gestandaardiseerde stabilisatie van fracturen van het dijbeen, die kan worden gebruikt voor het analyseren van endochondral bot genezing in muizen.

Video: A Minimally Invasive Model to Analyze Endochondral Fracture Healing in Mice Under Standardized Biomechanical Conditions

A Simple Critical-sized Femoral Defect Model in Mice

While bone has a remarkable capacity for regeneration, serious bone trauma often results in damage that does not properly heal. In fact, one tenth of all limb bone fractures fail to heal completely due to the extent of the trauma, disease, or age of the patient. Our ability to improve bone regenerative strategies is critically dependent on the ability to mimic serious bone trauma in test animals, but the generation and stabilization of large bone lesions is technically challenging. In most cases, serious long bone trauma is mimicked experimentally by establishing a defect that will not naturally heal. This is achieved by complete removal of a bone segment that is larger than 1.5 times the diameter of the bone cross-section. The bone is then stabilized with a metal implant to maintain proper orientation of the fracture edges and allow for mobility. 
Due to their small size and the fragility of their long bones, establishment of such lesions in mice are beyond the capabilities of most research groups. As such, long bone defect models are confined to rats and larger animals. Nevertheless, mice afford significant research advantages in that they can be genetically modified and bred as immune-compromised strains that do not reject human cells and tissue.
Herein, we demonstrate a technique that facilitates the generation of a segmental defect in mouse femora using standard laboratory and veterinary equipment. With practice, fabrication of the fixation device and surgical implantation is feasible for the majority of trained veterinarians and animal research personnel. Using example data, we also provide methodologies for the quantitative analysis of bone healing for the model.

Animal models are frequently employed to mimic serious bone injury in biomedical research. Due to their small size, establishment of stabilized bone lesions in mice are beyond the capabilities of most research groups. Herein, we describe a simple method for establishing and analyzing experimental femoral defects in mice.

While bone has a remarkable capacity for regeneration, serious bone trauma often results in damage that does not properly heal. In fact, one tenth of all ...

Establishment of a Segmental Femoral Critical-size Defect Model in Mice Stabilized by Plate Osteosynthesis

The use of tissue-engineered bone constructs is an appealing strategy to overcome drawbacks of autografts for the treatment of massive bone defects. As a model organism, the mouse has already been widely used in bone-related research. Large diaphyseal bone defect models in mice, however, are sparse and often use bone fixation which fills the bone marrow cavity and does not provide optimal mechanical stability. The objectives of the current study were to develop a critical-size, segmental, femoral defect in nude mice. A 3.5-mm mid-diaphyseal femoral ostectomy (approximately 25% of the femur length) was performed using a dedicated jig, and was stabilized with an anterior located locking plate and 4 locking screws. The bone defect was subsequently either left empty or filled with a bone substitute (syngenic bone graft or coralline scaffold). Bone healing was monitored noninvasively using radiography and in vivo micro-computed-tomography and was subsequently assessed by ex vivo micro-computed-tomography and undecalcified histology after animal sacrifice, 10 weeks postoperatively. The recovery of all mice was excellent, a full-weight-bearing was observed within one day following the surgical procedure. Furthermore, stable bone fixation and consistent fixation of the implanted materials were achieved in all animals tested throughout the study. When the bone defects were left empty, non-union was consistently obtained. In contrast, when the bone defects were filled with syngenic bone grafts, bone union was always observed. When the bone defects were filled with coralline scaffolds, newly-formed bone was observed in the interface between bone resection edges and the scaffold, as well as within a short distance within the scaffold. 
The present model describes a reproducible critical-size femoral defect stabilized by plate osteosynthesis with low morbidity in mice. The new load-bearing segmental bone defect model could be useful for studying the underlying mechanisms in bone regeneration pertinent to orthopaedic applications.

Although mouse models are invaluable tools for bone tissue engineering, models of long bone defects are sparse. This need motivated development of the present protocol which uses a locking plate with four screws and a dedicated jig to perform and stabilize a reproducible, femoral, critical-size defect with low morbidity.

The use of tissue-engineered bone constructs is an appealing strategy to overcome drawbacks of autografts for the treatment of massive bone defects. As a ...

Real-time Visualization and Analysis of Chondrocyte Injury Due to Mechanical Loading in Fully Intact Murine Cartilage Explants

Homeostasis of articular cartilage depends on the viability of resident cells (chondrocytes). Unfortunately, mechanical trauma can induce widespread chondrocyte death, potentially leading to irreversible breakdown of the joint and the onset of osteoarthritis. Additionally, maintenance of chondrocyte viability is important in osteochondral graft procedures for optimal surgical outcomes. We present a method to assess the spatial extent of cell injury/death on the articular surface of intact murine synovial joints after application of controlled mechanical loads or impacts. This method can be used in comparative studies to investigate the effects of different mechanical loading regimens, different environmental conditions or genetic manipulations, as well as different stages of cartilage degeneration on short- and/or long-term vulnerability of in situ articular chondrocytes. The goal of the protocol introduced in the manuscript is to assess the spatial extent of cell injury/death on the articular surface of murine synovial joints. Importantly, this method enables testing on fully intact cartilage without compromising native boundary conditions. Moreover, it allows for real-time visualization of vitally stained articular chondrocytes and single image-based analysis of cell injury induced by application of controlled static and impact loading regimens. Our representative results demonstrate that in healthy cartilage explants, the spatial extent of cell injury depends sensitively on load magnitude and impact intensity. Our method can be easily adapted to investigate the effects of different mechanical loading regimens, different environmental conditions or different genetic manipulations on the mechanical vulnerability of in situ articular chondrocytes.

We present a method to assess the spatial extent of cell injury/death on the articular surface of intact murine joints after application of controlled mechanical loads or impacts. This method can be used to investigate how osteoarthritis, genetic factors and/or different loading regimens affect the vulnerability of in situ chondrocytes.

Homeostasis of articular cartilage depends on the viability of resident cells (chondrocytes). Unfortunately, mechanical trauma can induce widespread ...

Bioengineering

In Vivo Evaluation of Fracture Callus Development During Bone Healing in Mice Using an MRI-compatible Osteosynthesis Device for the Mouse Femur

Endochondral fracture healing is a complex process involving the development of fibrous, cartilaginous, and osseous tissue in the fracture callus. The amount of the different tissues in the callus provides important information on the fracture healing progress. Available in vivo techniques to longitudinally monitor the callus tissue development in preclinical fracture-healing studies using small animals include digital radiography and &#181;CT imaging. However, both techniques are only able to distinguish between mineralized and non-mineralized tissue. Consequently, it is impossible to discriminate cartilage from fibrous tissue. In contrast, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualizes anatomical structures based on their water content and might therefore be able to noninvasively identify soft tissue and cartilage in the fracture callus. Here, we report the use of an MRI-compatible external fixator for the mouse femur to allow MRI scans during bone regeneration in mice. The experiments demonstrated that the fixator and a custom-made mounting device allow repetitive MRI scans, thus enabling longitudinal analysis of fracture-callus tissue development.

In Vivo Evaluation of Fracture Callus Development During Bone Healing in Mice Using an MRI-compatible Osteosynthesis Device for the Mouse Femur

The evaluation of tissue development in the fracture callus during endochondral bone healing is essential to monitor the healing process. Here, we report the use of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible external fixator for the mouse femur to allow MRI scans during bone regeneration in mice.

Endochondral fracture healing is a complex process involving the development of fibrous, cartilaginous, and osseous tissue in the fracture callus. The ...

A Mouse Model of Orthopedic Surgery to Study Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Tissue Regeneration

Surgery is commonly used to improve and maintain quality of life. Unfortunately, in vulnerable patients such as the elderly, complications may occur and significantly diminish the outcome. Indeed, after routine orthopedic surgery to repair a fracture, as many as 50% of elderly patients suffer from neurologic complications like delirium. Also, the capacity to heal and regenerate tissue after surgery decreases with age, and can impact the quality of fracture repair and even osseous integration of implants. Thus, a better understanding of mechanisms that drive these age-dependent changes could provide strategic targets to minimize risk for such complications and optimize outcomes. Here, we introduce a clinically relevant mouse model of tibial fracture. The postoperative changes in these mice mimic some of the cognitive impairments commonly observed after routine orthopedic surgery in humans. Briefly, an incision is performed in the right hind limb under strictly aseptic conditions. Muscles are disassociated, and a 0.38-mm stainless steel pin is inserted into the upper crest of the tibia, inside the intramedullary canal. Osteotomy is then performed, and the wound is stapled. We have used this model to investigate the effects of surgical trauma on postoperative neuroinflammation and behavioral changes. By applying this fracture model in combination with parabiosis, a surgical model in which 2 mice are anastomosed, we have studied cells and secreted factors that systemically rejuvenate organ function and tissue regeneration after injury. By following our step-by-step protocol, these models can be reproduced with high fidelity, and can be adapted to interrogate many biologic pathways that are altered by surgical trauma.

This protocol describes a mouse model of orthopedic surgery that has been used to study mechanisms of postoperative neuroinflammation and behavioral changes, and when combined with parabiosis, to study tissue regeneration during aging.

Surgery is commonly used to improve and maintain quality of life. Unfortunately, in vulnerable patients such as the elderly, complications may occur and ...

The Generation of Closed Femoral Fractures in Mice: A Model to Study Bone Healing

Bone fractures impose a tremendous socio-economic burden on patients, in addition to significantly affecting their quality of life. Therapeutic strategies that promote efficient bone healing are non-existent and in high demand. Effective and reproducible animal models of fractures healing are needed to understand the complex biological processes associated with bone regeneration. Many animal models of fracture healing have been generated over the years; however, murine fracture models have recently emerged as powerful tools to study bone healing. A variety of open and closed models have been developed, but the closed femoral fracture model stands out as a simple method for generating rapid and reproducible results in a physiologically relevant manner. The goal of this surgical protocol is to generate unilateral closed femoral fractures in mice and facilitate a post-fracture stabilization of the femur by inserting an intramedullary steel rod. Although devices such as a nail or a screw offer greater axial and rotational stability, the use of an intramedullary rod provides a sufficient stabilization for consistent healing outcomes without producing new defects in the bone tissue or damaging nearby soft tissue. Radiographic imaging is used to monitor the progression of callus formation, bony union, and subsequent remodeling of the bony callus. Bone healing outcomes are typically associated with the strength of the healed bone and measured with torsional testing. Still, understanding the early cellular and molecular events associated with fracture repair is critical in the study of bone tissue regeneration. The closed femoral fracture model in mice with intramedullary fixation serves as an attractive platform to study bone fracture healing and evaluate therapeutic strategies to accelerate healing.

The murine closed femoral fracture model is a powerful platform to study fracture healing and novel therapeutic strategies to accelerate bone regeneration. The goal of this surgical protocol is to generate unilateral closed femoral fractures in mice using an intramedullary steel rod to stabilize the femur.

Bone fractures impose a tremendous socio-economic burden on patients, in addition to significantly affecting their quality of life. Therapeutic strategies ...

Standardized Histomorphometric Evaluation of Osteoarthritis in a Surgical Mouse Model

One of the most prevalent joint disorders in the United States, osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, primarily in the hip and knee joints, which results in significant impacts on patient mobility and quality of life. To date, there are no existing curative therapies for OA able to slow down or inhibit cartilage degeneration. Presently, there is an extensive body of ongoing research to understand OA pathology and discover novel therapeutic approaches or agents that can efficiently slow down, stop, or even reverse OA. Thus, it is crucial to have a quantitative and reproducible approach to accurately evaluate OA-associated pathological changes in the joint cartilage, synovium, and subchondral bone. Currently, OA severity and progression are primarily assessed using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) or Mankin scoring systems. In spite of the importance of these scoring systems, they are semiquantitative and can be influenced by user subjectivity. More importantly, they fail to accurately evaluate subtle, yet important, changes in the cartilage during the early disease states or early treatment phases. The protocol we describe here uses a computerized and semiautomated histomorphometric software system to establish a standardized, rigorous, and reproducible quantitative methodology for the evaluation of joint changes in OA. This protocol presents a powerful addition to the existing systems and allows for more efficient detection of pathological changes in the joint.

The current protocol establishes a rigorous and reproducible method for quantification of morphological joint changes that accompany osteoarthritis. Application of this protocol can be valuable in monitoring disease progression and evaluating therapeutic interventions in osteoarthritis.

One of the most prevalent joint disorders in the United States, osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, ...

Transverse Fracture of the Mouse Femur with Stabilizing Pin

Fracture repair is an essential function of the skeleton that cannot be reliably modeled in vitro. A mouse injury model is an efficient approach to test whether a gene, gene product or drug influences bone repair because murine bones recapitulate the stages observed during human fracture healing. When a mouse or human breaks a bone, an inflammatory response is initiated, and the periosteum, a stem cell niche surrounding the bone itself, is activated and expands. Cells residing in the periosteum then differentiate to form a vascularized soft callus. The transition from the soft callus to a hard callus occurs as the recruited skeletal progenitor cells differentiate into mineralizing cells, and the bridging of the fractured ends results in the bone union. The mineralized callus then undergoes remodeling to restore the original shape and structure of the healed bone. Fracture healing has been studied in mice using various injury models. Still, the best way to recapitulate this entire biological process is to break through the cross-section of a long bone that encompasses both cortices. This protocol describes how a stabilized, transverse femur fracture can be safely performed to assess healing in adult mice. A surgical protocol including detailed harvesting and imaging techniques to characterize the different stages of fracture healing is also provided.

This protocol describes a method to perform fractures on adult mice and monitor the healing process.

Fracture repair is an essential function of the skeleton that cannot be reliably modeled in vitro. A mouse injury model is an efficient approach to test ...

Biology

Establishing a Diaphyseal Femur Fracture Model in Mice

Bones have a significant regenerative capacity. However, fracture healing is a complex process, and depending on the severity of the lesions and the age and overall health status of the patient, failures can occur, leading to delayed union or nonunion. Due to the increasing number of fractures resulting from high-energy trauma and aging, the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to improve bone repair based on the combination of skeletal/mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and biomimetic biomaterials is urgently needed. To this end, the use of reliable animal models is fundamental to better understanding the key cellular and molecular mechanisms that determine the healing outcomes. Of all the models, the mouse is the preferred research model because it offers a wide variety of transgenic strains and reagents for experimental analysis. However, the establishment of fractures in mice may be technically challenging due to their small size. Therefore, this article aims to demonstrate the procedures for the surgical establishment of a diaphyseal femur fracture in mice, which is stabilized with an intramedullary wire and resembles the most common bone repair process, through cartilaginous callus formation.

This protocol describes a surgical procedure for the establishment of a diaphyseal fracture in the femur of mice, which is stabilized with an intramedullary wire, for fracture healing studies.

Bones have a significant regenerative capacity. However, fracture healing is a complex process, and depending on the severity of the lesions and the age ...

Standardized Mandibular Fracture Protocol for Bone Repair in Mice

Less-Invasive Technique for Non-stabilized Mandibular Fracture in Mouse Models

Non-stabilized fractures can be made at mandibular sites in mice, thus making it possible to analyze bone repair using an endochondral ossification mode. To most accurately reflect this process in vivo, it is necessary to have a standardized protocol to avoid excessive bone loss and soft tissue damage, particularly at the mandibular site, an anatomical site characterized by minimal access. To our knowledge, we describe for the first time a less-invasive protocol of non-stabilized mandibular fracture in mice. Adult mice are anesthetized with isoflurane and receive a preoperative dose of buprenorphine by subcutaneous injection. A submandibular approach is performed, with a skin incision made along the inferior border of the mandible. The masseter muscle is elevated in a subperiosteal plane along the mandibular ramus with a periosteal elevator. A vertical and complete fracture of the ramus is performed from the basilar border to the coronoid notch (between condylar and coronoid processes), using a piezoelectric bone surgery device under saline serum irrigation at the basilar edge and scissors to complete the fracture of the mandibular ramus. The skin approach is closed by silk sutures. This detailed procedure for non-stabilized mandibular fractures offers an efficient procedure allowing minimal bone loss and soft tissue damage. This technique ensures successful and consistent results to accurately reflect the process of endochondral bone repair in mouse models.

This protocol presents a comprehensive and efficient method for analyzing mandibular bone repair. We describe a reproducible technique for non-stabilized mandibular fracture in a mouse model, allowing analysis of the process of endochondral bone repair with minimal tissue damage and bone loss.

Non-stabilized fractures can be made at mandibular sites in mice, thus making it possible to analyze bone repair using an endochondral ossification mode. ...

A Minimally Invasive Model to Analyze Endochondral Fracture Healing in Mice Under Standardized Biomechanical Conditions

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