The authors would like to acknowledge funding support from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (Project Grant ID: 632512). Louise Dunn was supported by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship and Christina Bursill by a National Heart Foundation Career Development Fellowship.

1. Preparation of Splints and Occlusive Dressings
<ol>
 <li>Outline 10 mm circles on 0.5 mm thick silicone sheeting and use scissors or a biopsy punch to create silicone disks.</li>
 <li>Centre a 5 mm biopsy punch in the middle of the 10 mm circle and press firmly to create a hole to form a "donut"-like disc that will be used as a splint.</li>
 <li>Outline 10 mm circles on a transparent occlusive dressing such as Opsite and use scissors to create circular dressings.</li>
</ol>
2. Experimental Anim...

<ol>
	<li>Sen, C. K., 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=Human+skin+wounds:+a+major+and+snowballing+threat+to+public+health+and+the+economy.">Human skin wounds: a major and snowballing threat to public health and the economy.</a> Wound Repair. 17, 763-771 (2009).</li><li>Sen, C. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Wound+healing+essentials:+let+there+be+oxygen.">Wound healing essentials: let there be oxygen.</a> Wound Repair Regen. 17, 1-18 (2009).</li><li>Gurtner, G. C., Werner, S., Barrandon, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Wound+repair+and+regeneration.">Wound repair and regeneration.</a> Nature. 453, 314-321 (2008).</li><li>Lindblad, W. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Considerations+for+selecting+the+correct+animal+model+for+dermal+wound-healing+studies.">Considerations for selecting the correct animal model for dermal wound-healing studies.</a> J. Biomater. Sci. Polym. Ed. 19, 1087-1096 (2008).</li><li>Grose, R., Werner, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Wound-healing+studies+in+transgenic+and+knockout+mice.">Wound-healing studies in transgenic and knockout mice.</a> Mol. Biotechnol. 28, 147-166 (2004).</li><li>Reid, R. R., Said, H. K., Mogford, J. E., Mustoe, T. 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+future+of+wound+healing:+pursuing+surgical+models+in+transgenic+and+knockout+mice.">The future of wound healing: pursuing surgical models in transgenic and knockout mice.</a> J. Am. Coll. Surg. 199, 578-585 (2004).</li><li>Fang, R. C., Mustoe, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Animal+models+of+wound+healing:+utility+in+transgenic+mice.">Animal models of wound healing: utility in transgenic mice.</a> J. Biomater. Sci. Polym. Ed. 19, 989-1005 (2008).</li><li>Wong, V. W., Sorkin, M., Glotzbach, J. P., Longaker, M. T., Gurtner, G. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Surgical+approaches+to+create+murine+models+of+human+wound+healing.">Surgical approaches to create murine models of human wound healing.</a> J. Biomed. Biotechnol. 2011, 969618 (2011).</li><li>Galiano, R. D., Michaels, J. t., Dobryansky, M., Levine, J. P., Gurtner, G. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+and+reproducible+murine+model+of+excisional+wound+healing.">Quantitative and reproducible murine model of excisional wound healing.</a> Wound Repair. 12, 485-492 (2004).</li><li>Galiano, R. D., 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=Topical+vascular+endothelial+growth+factor+accelerates+diabetic+wound+healing+through+increased+angiogenesis+and+by+mobilizing+and+recruiting+bone+marrow-derived+cells.">Topical vascular endothelial growth factor accelerates diabetic wound healing through increased angiogenesis and by mobilizing and recruiting bone marrow-derived cells.</a> The American Journal of Pathology. 164, 1935-1947 (2004).</li><li>Thangarajah, H., 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=The+molecular+basis+for+impaired+hypoxia-induced+VEGF+expression+in+diabetic+tissues.">The molecular basis for impaired hypoxia-induced VEGF expression in diabetic tissues.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 106, 13505-13510 (2009).</li><li>Raza, A., Bayles, C., Biebel, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Investigation+of+Bacterial+Growth+and+Moisture+Handling+Properties+of+Transparent+Dressings:+3M+Tegaderm+Transparent+Dressing,+3M+Tegaderm+HP+Transparent+Dressing,+and+Opsite+IV3000+Transparent+Dressing.">Investigation of Bacterial Growth and Moisture Handling Properties of Transparent Dressings: 3M Tegaderm Transparent Dressing, 3M Tegaderm HP Transparent Dressing, and Opsite IV3000 Transparent Dressing.</a> Smith and Nephew Report. , (1998).</li><li>Chung, T. Y., Peplow, P. V., Baxter, G. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Testing+photobiomodulatory+effects+of+laser+irradiation+on+wound+healing:+development+of+an+improved+model+for+dressing+wounds+in+mice.">Testing photobiomodulatory effects of laser irradiation on wound healing: development of an improved model for dressing wounds in mice.</a> Photomed. Laser Surg. 28, 589-596 (2010).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

This is an experimental murine model of cutaneous wound healing. A significant feature of this model is the use of silicone splints to prevent wound contraction so that re-epithelialization and new tissue formation may occur, making it similar to the process that occurs in humans. This model is versatile and can be used to assess wound healing in both physiological and pathophysiological (e.g. diabetes mellitus) settings. The model may also be used to assess potential wound healing or angiogenesis therapeutics i...

Impaired wound healing is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide; this is particularly true for sufferers of diabetes mellitus1,2. In humans, wound healing is a continuum of processes, in which there is significant overlapping3. Immediately following wounding, inflammatory processes are initiated. Inflammatory cells release factors that encourage the processes of cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. After re-epithelialization and new tissue formation there is a phase of remodeling that entails both apoptosis and re-organization of matrix proteins such as collagen.
The complexity of wound healing cannot currently be replicated in vitro and this necessitates the use of animal models. To date, wound-healing studies have been limited to large animal models, such as swine, to ensure that the healing processes are equivalent and comparable to humans. However, using large animals for such studies can be difficult to house and are not always practical4. The laboratory mouse represents an economical animal model that can be easily genetically manipulated for mechanistic investigation5-7. However, murine wounds heal differently to human&#x2019;s, primarily due to the process of contraction8. This is in part, due to an extensive subcutaneous striated muscle layer called the panniculus carnosus that is largely absent in humans. In mice, this muscle layer allows the skin to move independently of the deeper muscles and is responsible for the rapid contraction of skin following wounding.
To overcome this limitation, murine wound healing can be adapted to replicate human wound healing by use of a splint (Figure 1)8,9. In this video we demonstrate the splinted murine wound model that eliminates wound contraction and more closely approximates the human processes of re-epithelialization and new tissue formation. In this model two full-thickness excisions that include the panniculus carnosus are created on the dorsum, one on each side of the midline of the mouse. A silicone splint is placed around the wound with the assistance of adhesive and the splint then secured with interrupted sutures. Each mouse acts as its own control, with one wound receiving treatment and the other vehicle control, thereby reducing animal numbers. Following topical applications, a transparent occlusive dressing is applied. The dressing can be removed when required for further topical applications and/or measurement of the wound area10,11. At the completion of experiments, wound closure, morphological architecture and degree of neovascularization can be assessed by immunohistochemistry. This economical and easy to perform model can also be utilized to assess wound healing in the context of diabetes mellitus or other pathophysiologies.

<table border="0">
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of Reagent/Material</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalog Number</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Press-to-seal silicone sheeting 0.5 mm thick</td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>P18178</td>
 <td>Cut into "donuts" with external diameter of 1cm external, 0.5 cm internal diameter</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Biopsy punch 5 mm</td>
 <td>Steifel</td>
 <td>BC-B1-0500</td>
 <td>To outline wound area to be excised</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Vannas scissors 8.5 cm curved</td>
 <td>World Precision Instruments </td>
 <td>501232</td>
 <td>For wound incision and excision</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Dumonte #7b forceps, 11 cm</td>
 <td>World Precision Instruments</td>
 <td>501302</td>
 <td>To grip skin when creating incision and excising skin </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Graefe forceps, serrated 10cm</td>
 <td>World Precision Instruments</td>
 <td>14142</td>
 <td>To help attach silicone splint to skin</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Needle holder, smooth jaws, curved, 12.5 cm</td>
 <td>World Precision Instruments</td>
 <td>14132</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Malis forceps, smooth, straight, 12 cm</td>
 <td>Codman and Shurtleff, Inc (J&amp;J)</td>
 <td>80-1500</td>
 <td>To suture the silicon rings to the skin</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Ruler, 0.5 mm gradation</td>
 <td>n/a</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Calipers 0.25 mm gradation</td>
 <td>Duckworth and Kent</td>
 <td>9-653</td>
 <td>To measure wound area</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Opsite FlexiFix transparent adhesive film. 10 cm x 1 m</td>
 <td>Smith &amp; Nephew</td>
 <td>66030570</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Rimadyl (Carprofen)</td>
 <td>Pfizer</td>
 <td>462986</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

murine model of wound healing

Wound healing and repair are the most complex biological processes that occur in human life. After injury, multiple biological pathways become activated. Impaired wound healing, which occurs in diabetic patients for example, can lead to severe unfavorable outcomes such as amputation. There is, therefore, an increasing impetus to develop novel agents that promote wound repair. The testing of these has been limited to large animal models such as swine, which are often impractical. Mice represent the ideal preclinical model, as they are economical and amenable to genetic manipulation, which allows for mechanistic investigation. However, wound healing in a mouse is fundamentally different to that of humans as it primarily occurs via contraction. Our murine model overcomes this by incorporating a splint around the wound. By splinting the wound, the repair process is then dependent on epithelialization, cellular proliferation and angiogenesis, which closely mirror the biological processes of human wound healing. Whilst requiring consistency and care, this murine model does not involve complicated surgical techniques and allows for the robust testing of promising agents that may, for example, promote angiogenesis or inhibit inflammation. Furthermore, each mouse acts as its own control as two wounds are prepared, enabling the application of both the test compound and the vehicle control on the same animal. In conclusion, we demonstrate a practical, easy-to-learn, and robust model of wound healing, which is comparable to that of humans.

A wound closure curve is determined by calculating the average diameter of the wound and expressing the results as a percentage, i.e. 100 - (Day 0 diameter/Day X diameter). In this experiment a therapeutic compound (or vehicle control) was applied daily to the wound. The therapeutic compound greatly accelerated wound closure (Figure 3). It is important to note that the splints must be maintained for the duration of the experiment, as removal of splints will lead to rapid wound contraction (<stro...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Murine Model of Wound Healing at JoVE.com

Murine Model of Wound Healing

A murine model of cutaneous wound healing that can be used to assess therapeutic compounds in physiological and pathophysiological settings.

Wound healing and repair are the most complex biological processes that occur in human life. After injury, multiple biological pathways become activated. ...

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62.8K visualizações.  The Heart Research Institute. Um modelo murino de cicatrização de feridas cutâneas que podem ser utilizados para avaliar compostos terapêuticos em contextos fisiológicos e patológicos.