Name: intraductal injection of lps as a mouse model of mastitis: signaling visualized via an nf-&kappa;b reporter transgenic
Uploaded: 2012-09-04T12:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Intraductal Injection of LPS as a Mouse Model of Mastitis: Signaling Visualized via an NF-ÎºB Reporter Transgenic at JoVE.com

This work was funded by NIH grant CA113734 awarded to F Yull and the Department of Veterans Affairs (TS Blackwell).

All animal experiments were approved by the Vanderbilt University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
1. Preparing Transgenic Mice
<ol>
 <li>Female mice, positive for the NGL (NF-&kappa;B-GFP-Luciferase) reporter transgene (described previously1) are used for this procedure. When females are at least 6 weeks of age, mate them with an FVB wild type male. Harem breeding may be used (up to 4 females in a cage with 1 male). (...

<ol>
	<li>Everhart, M. B., Han, W., Sherrill, T. P., Arutiunov, M., Polosukhin, V. V., Burke, J. R., Sadikot, R. T., Christman, J. W., Yull, F. E., Blackwell, T. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Duration+and+intensity+of+NF-&#954;B+activity+determine+the+severity+of+endotoxin-induced+acute+lung+injury.">Duration and intensity of NF-&#954;B activity determine the severity of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury.</a> The Journal of Immunology. 176, 4995-5005 (2006).</li><li>Notebaert, S., Carlsen, H., Janssen, D., Vandenabeele, P., Blomhoff, R., Meyer, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+imaging+of+NF-&#206;&#186;B+activity+during+Escherichia+coli-induced+mammary+gland+infection.">In vivo imaging of NF-&#206;&#186;B activity during Escherichia coli-induced mammary gland infection.</a> Cellular Microbiology. 10, 1249-1258 (2008).</li><li>Elazar, S., Gonen, E., Livneh-Kol, A., Rosenshine, I., Shpigel, N. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neutrophil+recruitment+in+endotoxin-induced+murine+mastitis+is+strictly+dependent+on+mammary+alveolar+macrophages.">Neutrophil recruitment in endotoxin-induced murine mastitis is strictly dependent on mammary alveolar macrophages.</a> Veterinary Research. 41, 10 (2010).</li><li>Connelly, L., Barham, W., Pigg, R., Sait-Jean, L., Sherrill, T., Cheng, D. S., Chodosh, L. A., Blackwell, T. S., Yull, F. E. <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+nuclear+factor+kappaB+in+mammary+epithelium+promotes+milk+loss+during+mammary+development+and+infection.">Activation of nuclear factor kappaB in mammary epithelium promotes milk loss during mammary development and infection.</a> J. Cell. Physiol. 222, 73-81 (2010).</li><li>Yardeni, T., Eckhaus, M., Morris, H. D., Huizing, M., Hoogstraten-Miller, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retro-orbital+injections+in+mice.">Retro-orbital injections in mice.</a> Lab Animal. 40, 155-160 (2011).</li><li>Plante, I., Stewart, M. K., Laird, D. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+mammary+gland+development+and+function+in+mouse+models.">Evaluation of mammary gland development and function in mouse models.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (21), e2828 (2011).</li><li>Behbod, F., Kittrell, F. S., LaMarca, H., Edwards, D., Kerbawy, S., Heestand, J. C., Young, E., Mukhopadhyay, P., Yeh, H., Allred, D. C., Hu, M., Polyak, K., Rosen, J. M., Medina, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+intraductal+human-in-mouse+transplantation+model+mimics+the+subtypes+of+ductal+carcinoma+in+situ.">An intraductal human-in-mouse transplantation model mimics the subtypes of ductal carcinoma in situ.</a> Breast Cancer Research. 11, R66 (2009).</li><li>Zheng, J., Watson, A. D., Kerr, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genome-wide+expression+analysis+of+lipopolysaccharide-induced+mastitis+in+a+mouse+model.">Genome-wide expression analysis of lipopolysaccharide-induced mastitis in a mouse model.</a> Infection and Immunity. 74, 1907-1915 (2006).</li><li>Nguyen, D., Beeman, N., Lewis, M., Schaack, J., Neville, M. C., Ip, M. M., Asch, B. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Intraductal Injection into the Mouse Mammary Gland. Methods in Mammary Gland Biology and Breast Cancer Research. , 259-270 (2000).</li><li>Lee, J. W., Paape, M. J., Zhao, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recombinant+bovine+soluble+CD14+reduces+severity+of+experimental+Escherichia+coli+mastitis+in+mice.">Recombinant bovine soluble CD14 reduces severity of experimental Escherichia coli mastitis in mice.</a> Veterinary Research. 34, 307-316 (2003).</li><li>Elazar, S., Gonen, E., Livneh-Kol, A., Rosenshine, I., Shpigel, N. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Essential+role+of+neutrophils+but+not+mammary+alveolar+macrophages+in+a+murine+model+of+acute+Escherichia+coli+mastitis.">Essential role of neutrophils but not mammary alveolar macrophages in a murine model of acute Escherichia coli mastitis.</a> Veterinary Research. 41, 53 (2010).</li><li>Bannerman, D. D., Paape, M. J., Hare, W. R., Sohn, E. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Increased+levels+of+LPS-binding+protein+in+bovine+blood+and+milk+following+bacterial+lipopolysaccharide+challenge.">Increased levels of LPS-binding protein in bovine blood and milk following bacterial lipopolysaccharide challenge.</a> Journal of Dairy Science. 86, 3128-3137 (2003).</li><li>Gonen, E., Vallon-Eberhard, A., Elazar, S., Harmelin, A., Brenner, O., Rosenshine, I., Jung, S., Shpigel, N. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Toll-like+receptor+4+is+needed+to+restrict+the+invasion+of+Escherichia+coli+P4+into+mammary+gland+epithelial+cells+in+a+murine+model+of+acute+mastitis.">Toll-like receptor 4 is needed to restrict the invasion of Escherichia coli P4 into mammary gland epithelial cells in a murine model of acute mastitis.</a> Cellular Microbiology. 9, 2826-2838 (2007).</li><li>Notebaert, S., Demon, D., Vanden Berghe, ., Vandenabeele, T., P, ., Meyer, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inflammatory+mediators+in+Escherichia+coli-induced+mastitis+in+mice.">Inflammatory mediators in Escherichia coli-induced mastitis in mice.</a> Comparative Immunology, Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases. 31, 551-565 (2008).</li><li>Osterman, K. L., Rahm, V. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lactation+mastitis:+bacterial+cultivation+of+breast+milk+symptoms,+treatment,+and+outcome.">Lactation mastitis: bacterial cultivation of breast milk symptoms, treatment, and outcome.</a> Journal of Human Lactation. 16, 297-302 (2000).</li><li>Sordillo, L. M., Streicher, K. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mammary+Gland+Immunity+and+Mastitis+Susceptibility.">Mammary Gland Immunity and Mastitis Susceptibility.</a> Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia. 7, 135-146 (2002).</li><li>Blackwell, T. S., Yull, F. E., Chen, C. L., Venkatakrishnan, A., Blackwell, T. R., Hicks, D. J., Lancaster, L. H., Christman, J. W., Kerr, L. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+genetically+altered+mice+to+investigate+the+role+of+nuclear+factor-kappa+B+activation+and+cytokine+gene+expression+in+sepsis-induced+ARDS.">Use of genetically altered mice to investigate the role of nuclear factor-kappa B activation and cytokine gene expression in sepsis-induced ARDS.</a> Chest. 116, 73S-74S (1999).</li><li>Stathopoulos, G. T., Sherrill, T. P., Cheng, D. S., Scoggins, R. M., Han, W., Polosukhin, V. V., Connelly, L., Yull, F. E., Fingleton, B., Blackwell, T. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epithelial+NF-kappaB+activation+promotes+urethane-induced+lung+carcinogenesis.">Epithelial NF-kappaB activation promotes urethane-induced lung carcinogenesis.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 104, 18514-18519 (2007).</li><li>Blackwell, T. S., Hipps, A. N., Yamamoto, Y., Han, W., Barham, W. J., Ostrowski, M. C., Yull, F. E., Prince, L. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NF-&#954;B+signaling+in+fetal+lung+macrophages+disrupts+airway+morphogenesis.">NF-&#954;B signaling in fetal lung macrophages disrupts airway morphogenesis.</a> The Journal of Immunology. 187, 2740-2747 (2011).</li><li>Chiang, S. H., Bazuine, M., Lumeng, C. N., Geletka, L. M., Mowers, J., White, N. M., Ma, J. T., Zhou, J., Qi, N., Westscott, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+protein+kinase+IKKepsilon+regulates+energy+balance+in+obese+mice.">The protein kinase IKKepsilon regulates energy balance in obese mice.</a> Cell. 138, 961-975 (2009).</li><li>Singh, M. V., Kapoun, A., Higgins, L., Kutschke, W., Thurman, J. M., Zhang, R., Singh, M., Yang, J., Guan, X., Lowe, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent+kinase+II+triggers+cell+membrane+injury+by+inducing+complement+factor+B+gene+expression+in+the+mouse+heart.">Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II triggers cell membrane injury by inducing complement factor B gene expression in the mouse heart.</a> The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 119, 986-996 (2009).</li></ol>

Here we utilize a transgenic NF-&kappa;B reporter mouse and an optimized injection technique to model mastitis, inflammation of the breast tissue most commonly caused by bacterial infection. The most critical step in this procedure is the intraductal injection itself.
In practice, it is usually apparent whether the intraductal injection has been successful. The injection of the agents (LPS or PBS) should feel fluid and there should be little to no resistance as the syringe is emptied. The ...

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of the reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue number</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli (LPS)</td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>L 2880</td>
 <td>serotype 055:B5 </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>PBS</td>
 <td>Mediatech, Inc.</td>
 <td>46-013-CM</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>31 Gauge insulin syringe</td>
 <td>Becton Dickinson</td>
 <td>328438</td>
 <td>Short needle</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Forceps</td>
 <td>World Precision Instruments </td>
 <td>15908 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Dissecting scope</td>
 <td>Leica </td>
 <td>M3Z</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Terrell Isoflurane, USP</td>
 <td>MINRAD INC. for Rx Elite</td>
 <td>NDC 66794-011-25</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>IVIS 200 imaging system</td>
 <td>Caliper (formerly Xenogen)</td>
 <td>N/A</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Syringe for luciferin injection</td>
 <td>Becton Dickinson</td>
 <td>309597</td>
 <td>1cc; 26G5/8 </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>D-Luciferin Firefly, sodium salt monohydrate (Luciferin substrate)</td>
 <td>Biosynth Chemistry and Biology</td>
 <td>L-8240</td>
 <td>Dilute to 10 mg/ml</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

intraductal injection of lps as a mouse model of mastitis: signaling visualized via an nf-&kappa;b reporter transgenic

Animal models of human disease are necessary in order to rigorously study stages of disease progression and associated mechanisms, and ultimately, as pre-clinical models to test interventions. In these methods, we describe a technique in which lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is injected into the lactating mouse mammary gland via the nipple, effectively modeling mastitis, or inflammation, of the gland. This simulated infection results in increased nuclear factor kappa B (NF-&kappa;B) signaling, as visualized through bioluminescent imaging of an NF-&kappa;B luciferase reporter mouse1.
Our ultimate goal in developing these methods was to study the inflammation associated with mastitis in the lactating gland, which often includes redness, swelling, and immune cell infiltration2,3. Therefore, we were keenly aware that incision or any type of wounding of the skin, the nipple, or the gland in order to introduce the LPS could not be utilized in our methods since the approach would likely confound the read-out of inflammation. We also desired a straight-forward method that did not require specially made hand-drawn pipettes or the use of micromanipulators to hold these specialized tools in place. Thus, we determined to use a commercially available insulin syringe and to inject the agent into the mammary duct of an intact nipple. This method was successful and allowed us to study the inflammation associated with LPS injection without any additional effects overlaid by the process of injection. In addition, this method also utilized an NF-&kappa;B luciferase reporter transgenic mouse and bioluminescent imaging technology to visually and quantitatively show increased NF-&kappa;B signaling within the LPS-injected gland4.
These methods are of interest to researchers of many disciplines who wish to model disease within the lactating mammary gland, as ultimately, the technique described here could be utilized for injection of a number of substances, and is not limited to only LPS.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Intraductal Injection of LPS as a Mouse Model of Mastitis: Signaling Visualized via an NF-ÎºB Reporter Transgenic at JoVE.com

Intraductal Injection of LPS as a Mouse Model of Mastitis: Signaling Visualized via an NF-&kappa;B Reporter Transgenic

Described here is a technique in which lipopolysaccharide is injected into the lactating mouse mammary gland via the nipple to simulate mastitis, a condition commonly caused by bacterial infection. Lipopolysaccharide injection results in increased nuclear factor kappa B (NF-&kappa;B) signaling, visualized through bioluminescent imaging of an NF-&kappa;B luciferase reporter mouse.

Animal models of human disease are necessary in order to rigorously study stages of disease progression and associated mechanisms, and ultimately, as ...

intraductal-injection-lps-as-mouse-model-mastitis-signaling

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Mouse Bladder Wall Injection

Mouse bladder wall injection is a useful technique to orthotopically study bladder phenomena, including stem cell, smooth muscle, and cancer biology. Before starting injections, the surgical area must be cleaned with soap and water and antiseptic solution. Surgical equipment must be sterilized before use and between each animal. Each mouse is placed under inhaled isoflurane anesthesia (2-5% for induction, 1-3% for maintenance) and its bladder exposed by making a midline abdominal incision with scissors. If the bladder is full, it is partially decompressed by gentle squeezing between two fingers. The cell suspension of interest is intramurally injected into the wall of the bladder dome using a 29 or 30 gauge needle and 1 cc or smaller syringe. The wound is then closed using wound clips and the mouse allowed to recover on a warming pad. Bladder wall injection is a delicate microsurgical technique that can be mastered with practice.

Mouse bladder wall injection is a useful approach to orthotopically study bladder stem cell and cancer biology. This delicate microsurgical method can be mastered with careful technique and practice.

Mouse bladder wall injection is a useful technique to orthotopically study bladder phenomena, including stem cell, smooth muscle, and cancer biology. ...

Initiation of Metastatic Breast Carcinoma by Targeting of the Ductal Epithelium with Adenovirus-Cre: A Novel Transgenic Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease involving complex cellular interactions between the developing tumor and immune system, eventually resulting in exponential tumor growth and metastasis to distal tissues and the collapse of anti-tumor immunity. Many useful animal models exist to study breast cancer, but none completely recapitulate the disease progression that occurs in humans. In order to gain a better understanding of the cellular interactions that result in the formation of latent metastasis and decreased survival, we have generated an inducible transgenic mouse model of YFP-expressing ductal carcinoma that develops after sexual maturity in immune-competent mice and is driven by consistent, endocrine-independent oncogene expression. Activation of YFP, ablation of p53, and expression of an oncogenic form of K-ras was achieved by the delivery of an adenovirus expressing Cre-recombinase into the mammary duct of sexually mature, virgin female mice. Tumors begin to appear 6 weeks after the initiation of oncogenic events. After tumors become apparent, they progress slowly for approximately two weeks before they begin to grow exponentially. After 7-8 weeks post-adenovirus injection, vasculature is observed connecting the tumor mass to distal lymph nodes, with eventual lymphovascular invasion of YFP+ tumor cells to the distal axillary lymph nodes. Infiltrating leukocyte populations are similar to those found in human breast carcinomas, including the presence of &#945;&#946; and &#947;&#948; T cells, macrophages and MDSCs. This unique model will facilitate the study of cellular and immunological mechanisms involved in latent metastasis and dormancy in addition to being useful for designing novel immunotherapeutic interventions to treat invasive breast cancer.

Activation of latent mutations with adenovirus-Cre into the mammary ductal system results in a clinically relevant metastatic breast cancer. Incorporation of a YFP promoter allows tracking of distal metastatic tumor cells. This model is useful to study latent metastasis, anti-tumor immunity, and for designing novel immunotherapies to treat breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease involving complex cellular interactions between the developing tumor and immune system, eventually resulting in ...

Excitotoxic Stimulation of Brain Microslices as an In vitro Model of Stroke

Examining molecular mechanisms involved in neuropathological conditions, such as ischemic stroke, can be difficult when using whole animal systems. As such, primary or &#39;neuronal-like&#39; cell culture systems are commonly utilized. While&#160;these systems are relatively easy to work with, and are useful model systems in which various functional outcomes (such as cell death) can be readily quantified, the examined outcomes and pathways in cultured immature neurons (such as excitotoxicity-mediated cell death pathways) are not necessarily the same as those observed in mature brain, or in intact tissue. Therefore, there is the need to develop models in which cellular mechanisms in mature neural tissue can be examined. We have developed an in vitro technique that can be used to investigate a variety of molecular pathways in intact nervous tissue. The technique described herein utilizes rat cortical tissue, but this technique can be adapted to use tissue from a variety of species (such as mouse, rabbit, guinea pig, and chicken) or brain regions (for example, hippocampus, striatum, etc.). Additionally, a variety of stimulations/treatments can be used (for example, excitotoxic, administration of inhibitors, etc.). In conclusion, the brain slice model described herein can be used to examine a variety of molecular mechanisms involved in excitotoxicity-mediated brain injury.

Excitotoxic Stimulation of Brain Microslices as an In vitro Model of Stroke

We have developed a brain slice model which can be used to examine molecular mechanisms involved in excitotoxicity-mediated brain injury.&#160;This technique generates viable mature brain tissue and reduces animal numbers required for experimentation, whilst keeping the neuronal circuitry, cellular interactions, and postsynaptic compartments partly intact.

Examining molecular mechanisms involved in neuropathological conditions, such as ischemic stroke, can be difficult when using whole animal systems. As ...

A Possible Zebrafish Model of Polycystic Kidney Disease: Knockdown of wnt5a Causes Cysts in Zebrafish Kidneys

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the most common causes of end-stage kidney disease, a devastating disease for which there is no cure. The molecular mechanisms leading to cyst formation in PKD remain somewhat unclear, but many genes are thought to be involved. Wnt5a is a non-canonical glycoprotein that regulates a wide range of developmental processes. Wnt5a works through the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway that regulates oriented cell division during renal tubular cell elongation. Defects of the PCP pathway have been found to cause kidney cyst formation. Our paper describes a method for developing a zebrafish cystic kidney disease model by knockdown of the wnt5a gene with wnt5a antisense morpholino (MO) oligonucleotides. Tg(wt1b:GFP) transgenic zebrafish were used to visualize kidney structure and kidney cysts following wnt5a knockdown. Two distinct antisense MOs (AUG - and splice-site) were used and both resulted in curly tail down phenotype and cyst formation after wnt5a knockdown. Injection of mouse Wnt5a mRNA, resistant to the MOs due to a difference in primary base pair structure, rescued the abnormal phenotype, demonstrating that the phenotype was not due to &#8220;off-target&#8221; effects of the morpholino. This work supports the validity of using a zebrafish model to study wnt5a function in the kidney.

A Possible Zebrafish Model of Polycystic Kidney Disease: Knockdown of wnt5a Causes Cysts in Zebrafish Kidneys

We describe a method of generating a possible zebrafish model of polycystic kidney disease. We used Tg(wt1b:GFP) fish to visualize kidney structure. Knockdown of wnt5a was by morpholino injection. Pronephric cyst formation after wnt5a knockdown was observed in this GFP transgenic zebrafish.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the most common causes of end-stage kidney disease, a devastating disease for which there is no cure. The ...

Development of an Alpha-synuclein Based Rat Model for Parkinson's Disease via Stereotactic Injection of a Recombinant Adeno-associated Viral Vector

In order to study the molecular pathways of Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD) and to develop novel therapeutic strategies, scientific investigators rely on animal models. The identification of PD-associated genes has led to the development of genetic PD models. Most transgenic &#945;-SYN mouse models develop gradual &#945;-SYN pathology but fail to display clear dopaminergic cell loss and dopamine-dependent behavioral deficits. This hurdle was overcome by direct targeting of the substantia nigra with viral vectors overexpressing PD-associated genes. Local gene delivery using viral vectors provides an attractive way to express transgenes in the central nervous system. Specific brain regions can be targeted (e.g. the substantia nigra), expression can be induced in the adult setting and high expression levels can be achieved. Further, different vector systems based on various viruses can be used. The protocol outlines all crucial steps to perform a viral vector injection in the substantia nigra of the rat to develop a viral vector-based alpha-synuclein animal model for Parkinson&#39;s disease.

This manuscript describes how viral vector-mediated local gene delivery provides an attractive way to express transgenes in the central nervous system. The protocol outlines all crucial steps to perform a viral vector injection in the substantia nigra of the rat to develop a viral vector-based animal model for Parkinson's disease.

In order to study the molecular pathways of Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD) and to develop novel therapeutic strategies, scientific investigators rely on ...

Induction and Micro-CT Imaging of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations in Mouse Model

Mutations in the CCM1 (aka KRIT1), CCM2, or CCM3 (aka PDCD10) gene cause cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) in humans. Mouse models of CCM disease have been established by tamoxifen induced deletion of Ccm genes in postnatal animals. These mouse models provide invaluable tools to investigate molecular mechanism and therapeutic approaches for CCM disease. An accurate and quantitative method to assess lesion burden and progression is essential to harness the full value of these animal models. Here, we demonstrate the induction of CCM disease in a mouse model and the use of the contrast enhanced X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT) method to measure CCM lesion burden in mouse brains. At postnatal day 1 (P1), we used 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4HT) to activate Cre recombinase activity from the Cdh5-CreErt2 transgene to cleave the floxed allele of Ccm2. CCM lesions in mouse brains were analyzed at P8. For micro-CT, iodine based Lugol&#39;s solution was used to enhance contrast in brain tissue. We have optimized the scan parameters and utilized a voxel dimension of 9.5 &#181;m, which lead to a minimum feature size of approximately 25 &#181;m. This resolution is sufficient to measure CCM lesion volume and number globally and accurately, and provide high-quality 3-D mapping of CCM lesions in mouse brains. This method enhances the value of the established mouse models to study the molecular basis and potential therapies for CCM and other cerebrovascular diseases.

This protocol demonstrates the induction of cerebral cavernous malformation disease in a mouse model and uses contrast enhanced micro computed tomography to measure lesion burden. This method enhances the value of established mouse models to study the molecular basis and potential therapies for cerebral cavernous malformation and other cerebrovascular diseases.

Mutations in the CCM1 (aka KRIT1), CCM2, or CCM3 (aka PDCD10) gene cause cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) in humans. Mouse models of CCM disease have ...

Puncture-Induced Iris Neovascularization as a Mouse Model of Rubeosis Iridis

We describe a model of puncture-induced iris neovascularization as a general model for noninvasive evaluation of angiogenesis. The model is also relevant for targeting neovascular glaucoma, a sight-threatening complication of diabetic retinopathy. This method is based on the induction of iris vascular response by a series of self-sealing uveal punctures on BALB/c mice and takes advantage of the postpartum maturation of mouse ocular vasculature. Mouse pups undergo uveal punctures from postnatal day 12.5, when the pups naturally open their eyes, until postnatal day 24.5. Due to the transparency of the cornea, iris vasculature can be analyzed easily through time by noninvasive in vivo methods. Furthermore, the semitransparent iris of BALB/c mice can be flatmounted for detailed immunohistologic analysis with minimal non-specific background staining. In this model, angiogenesis is mainly driven by the inflammatory and plasminogen activating systems. The puncture-induced model is the first to induce iris neovascularization in small rodents, and has the advantage of allowing direct noninvasive in vivo analysis of the angiogenic process. Moreover, the model can be combined with angiogenic modulating substances, which highlights its potential in the study of angiogenesis with an in vivo perspective.

Iris neovascularization, a common complication of ischemic retinal disease, may lead to sight-threatening neovascular glaucoma. Here, we describe a murine protocol for inducing experimental iris neovascularization that may be used for noninvasive evaluation of angiogenesis-modulating substances.

We describe a model of puncture-induced iris neovascularization as a general model for noninvasive evaluation of angiogenesis. The model is also relevant ...

Oleic Acid-Injection in Pigs As a Model for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The acute respiratory distress syndrome is a relevant intensive care disease with an incidence ranging between 2.2% and 19% of intensive care unit patients. Despite treatment advances over the last decades, ARDS patients still suffer mortality rates between 35 and 40%. There is still a need for further research to improve the outcome of patients suffering from ARDS. One problem is that no single animal model can mimic the complex pathomechanism of the acute respiratory distress syndrome, but several models exist to study different parts of it. Oleic acid injection (OAI)-induced lung injury is a well-established model for studying ventilation strategies, lung mechanics and ventilation/perfusion distribution in animals. OAI leads to severely impaired gas exchange, deterioration of lung mechanics and disruption of the alveolo-capillary barrier. The disadvantage of this model is the controversial mechanistic relevance of this model and the necessity for central venous access, which is challenging especially in smaller animal models. In summary, OAI-induced lung injury leads to reproducible results in small and large animals and hence represents a well-suited model for studying ARDS. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to find a model that mimics all parts of ARDS and lacks the problems associated with the different models existing today.

In this article, we present a protocol to induce acute lung injury in pigs by central-venous injection of oleic acid. This is an established animal model for studying the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

The acute respiratory distress syndrome is a relevant intensive care disease with an incidence ranging between 2.2% and 19% of intensive care unit ...

Isometric Contractility Measurement of the Mouse Mesenteric Artery Using Wire Myography

The wire myograph technique is used to assess the contractility of vascular smooth muscles in response to depolarization, GPCR agonists/inhibitors and drugs. It is widely used in many studies on the physiological functions of vascular smooth muscle, the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as hypertension, and the development of smooth muscle relaxant drugs. The mouse is a widely used model animal with a large pool of disease models and genetically modified strains. We introduced this method to measure the isometric contraction of mouse mesenteric artery in detail. A 1.4-mm segment of mouse mesenteric resistance artery was isolated and mounted on a myograph chamber by passing two steel wires through its lumen. After equilibration and normalization steps, the vessel segment was potentiated by a high-K+ solution twice prior to the contraction assay. As an example of the application of this method in drug development, we measured the relaxant effect of a novel natural substance, neoliensinine, isolated from a Chinese herb, embryos of the lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) on mouse mesenteric arteries. The vessel segments mounted on the myograph chamber were stimulated with a high-K+ solution. When the force tension reached a stable sustained phase, cumulative doses of neoliensinine were added to the chamber. We found that neoliensinine had a dose-dependent relaxant effect on smooth muscle contraction, thus suggesting that it bears potential activity against hypertension. In addition, as the vessel segment can survive at least 4 hours after mounting and maintain contractility induced by the high-K+ solution for many times, we suggest that the wire myograph system may be used for the time-consuming process of drug screening.

The wire myograph technique is used to investigate vascular smooth muscle functions and screen new drugs. We report a detailed protocol for measuring the isometric contractility of the mouse mesenteric artery and for screening new relaxants of vascular smooth muscle.

The wire myograph technique is used to assess the contractility of vascular smooth muscles in response to depolarization, GPCR agonists/inhibitors and ...

Murine Precision-Cut Liver Slices as an Ex Vivo Model of Liver Biology

Understanding the mechanisms of liver injury, hepatic fibrosis, and cirrhosis that underlie chronic liver diseases (i.e., viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic liver disease, and liver cancer) requires experimental manipulation of animal models and in vitro cell cultures. Both techniques have limitations, such as the requirement of large numbers of animals for in vivo manipulation. However, in vitro cell cultures do not reproduce the structure and function of the multicellular hepatic environment. The use of precision-cut liver slices is a technique in which uniform slices of viable mouse liver are maintained in laboratory tissue culture for experimental manipulation. This technique occupies an experimental niche that exists between animal studies and in vitro cell culture methods. The presented protocol describes a straightforward and reliable method to isolate and culture precision-cut liver slices from mice. As an application of this technique, ex vivo liver slices are treated with bile acids to simulate cholestatic liver injury and ultimately assess the mechanisms of hepatic fibrogenesis.

This protocol provides a simple and reliable method for the production of viable precision-cut liver slices from mice. The ex vivo tissue samples can be maintained under laboratory tissue culture conditions for multiple days, providing a flexible model to examine liver pathobiology.

Understanding the mechanisms of liver injury, hepatic fibrosis, and cirrhosis that underlie chronic liver diseases (i.e., viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic ...