This work was supported in part by 1R03DK096151.&#160;We acknowledge the UAB-UCSD O&#8217;Brien Center (NIH P30 DK079337) for providing initial technical assistance with setting up this model.

All mice were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME) and were housed under pathogen free conditions at the University of Colorado Denver, Barbara Davis Center Animal Facility according to NIH Guidelines and with approval of the University of Colorado Denver IACUC.
1. Donor Kidney Harvest
<ol>
	<li>Sterilize all instruments, wear sterile gloves throughout the procedure and maintain a sterile field. Perform all surgeries with the use of an operating microscope.</li>
	<li>Surgic...

<ol>
	<li>Skoskiewicz, M., Chase, C., Winn, H. J., Russell, P. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Kidney+transplants+between+mice+of+graded+immunogenetic+diversity.">Kidney transplants between mice of graded immunogenetic diversity.</a> Transplant Proc. 5 (1), 721-725 (1973).</li><li>Kalina, S. L., Mottram, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+microsurgical+technique+for+renal+transplantation+in+mice.">A microsurgical technique for renal transplantation in mice.</a> Aust N Z J Surg. 63 (3), 213-216 (1993).</li><li>Han, W. R., Murray-Segal, L. J., Mottram, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modified+technique+for+kidney+transplantation+in+mice.">Modified technique for kidney transplantation in mice.</a> Microsurgery. 19 (6), 272-274 (1999).</li><li>Ge, F., Gong, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Strategies+for+successfully+establishing+a+kidney+transplant+in+a+mouse+model.">Strategies for successfully establishing a kidney transplant in a mouse model.</a> Exp Clin Transplant. 9 (5), 287-294 (2011).</li><li>Martins, P. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Learning+curve,+surgical+results+and+operative+complications+for+kidney+transplantation+in+mice.">Learning curve, surgical results and operative complications for kidney transplantation in mice.</a> Microsurgery. 26 (8), 590-593 (2006).</li><li>Corry, R. J., Winn, H. J., Russell, P. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Primarily+vascularized+allografts+of+hearts+in+mice.+The+role+of+H-2D,+H-2K,+and+non-H-2+antigens+in+rejection.">Primarily vascularized allografts of hearts in mice. The role of H-2D, H-2K, and non-H-2 antigens in rejection.</a> Transplantation. 16 (4), 343-350 (1973).</li><li>Zhang, Z., Chen, H., Qian, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Kidney+Transplantation+in+Mice.">Kidney Transplantation in Mice.</a> Experimental Organ Transplantation. , 45-64 (2013).</li><li>Zhang, L., Moskovitz, M., Piscatelli, S., Longaker, M. T., Siebert, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hemodynamic+study+of+different+angled+end-to-side+anastomoses.">Hemodynamic study of different angled end-to-side anastomoses.</a> Microsurgery. 16 (2), 114-117 (1995).</li><li>Liu, Q., Mirc, D., Fu, B. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanical+mechanisms+of+thrombosis+in+intact+bent+microvessels+of+rat+mesentery.">Mechanical mechanisms of thrombosis in intact bent microvessels of rat mesentery.</a> J Biomech. 41 (12), 2726-2734 (2008).</li><li>Chesnutt, J. K., Han, H. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tortuosity+triggers+platelet+activation+and+thrombus+formation+in+microvessels.">Tortuosity triggers platelet activation and thrombus formation in microvessels.</a> J Biomech Eng. 133 (12), 121004 (2011).</li><li>Han, H. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Blood+vessel+buckling+within+soft+surrounding+tissue+generates+tortuosity.">Blood vessel buckling within soft surrounding tissue generates tortuosity.</a> J Biomech. 42 (16), 2797-2801 (2009).</li><li>Gutierrez-Diaz, J. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intraluminal+thrombus+and+neointimal+hyperplasia+after+microvascular+surgery.">Intraluminal thrombus and neointimal hyperplasia after microvascular surgery.</a> Surg Neurol. 24 (2), 153-159 (1985).</li><li>Khouri, R. K., Cooley, B. C., Kenna, D. M., Edstrom, L. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thrombosis+of+microvascular+anastomoses+in+traumatized+vessels:+fibrin+versus+platelets.">Thrombosis of microvascular anastomoses in traumatized vessels: fibrin versus platelets.</a> Plast Reconstr Surg. 86 (1), 110-117 (1990).</li><li>Johnson, P. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Initial+platelet+deposition+at+the+human+microvascular+anastomosis:+effect+on+downstream+platelet+deposition+to+intact+and+injured+vessels.">Initial platelet deposition at the human microvascular anastomosis: effect on downstream platelet deposition to intact and injured vessels.</a> Plast Reconstr Surg. 90 (4), 650-658 (1992).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Mastering this transplant technique is difficult, but once accomplished it is a very powerful research tool. The patient surgeon/researcher will be rewarded by attention to detail and consistency of technique, which is the key to mastering any surgical procedure, even more so in small animal models. The technical difficulties of mastering the mouse kidney transplant are many folds, and it is highly probable that experience in other small animal transplant models must be gained before tackling this procedure.
<p class...

Since 1973 the kidney transplant model in mice has been a valuable research tool, but technical issues have hampered its widespread use. Over the years several papers have been published detailing improvements/refinements to this procedure. As a model of primarily vascularized solid organ transplantation this procedure is probably second only to the heterotopic heart transplant model which was also devised by the Russell laboratory in 1973 6. Both models lend themselves to research into allogeneic rejection responses, the development of delayed graft function and ischemia reperfusion injury.
One of the most common issues to be reported with kidney transplantation is the relatively high incidence of arterial thrombosis 4,5,7 which we also experienced in our laboratory. Therefore we set out to perform a literature review of thrombus formation and possibly find the cause of this technical issue and to also devise a possible solution. The most likely cause of thrombosis is the somewhat tortuous path the blood takes from the recipient aorta, into the donor renal aorta then on to the donor renal artery. This path causes turbulence in the renal artery which can lead to platelet activation and thrombus formation. Based on the recent observations and a search of relevant literature 8-14 we came up with a new technique that has reduced thrombosis to 0%.
The technique described here varies from previously reported techniques in the formation of an arterial heel-and-toe cuff which facilities improved blood flow and significantly reduces thrombus formation. The cuff is formed by dividing the infra-renal aorta across the face of the renal arterial ostium at an angle less than 45o to the longitudinal axis of the aorta (Figure 1A &#38; 1B). This results in a cuff approximately 2mm in length. A venous Carrel patch is formed by transecting the renal vein into the IVC thereby increasing the diameter of the cuff. The infra-renal donor abdominal aorta heel-and-toe cuff is end-to-side anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta and the donor renal vein/IVC patch is end-to-side anastomosed to the recipient abdominal inferior vena cava (IVC). The ureter is then introduced into and anchored to the bladder as described by Han et al 3.
For this study untreated transplants with warm ischemia times only (i.e., no cold ischemia) are compared. In this case warm ischemia refers to the time from the cessation of blood flow through the donor kidney (step 1.11 below) and reperfusion of the graft in the recipient (step 2.11 below). Cold ischemia refers to the time that the kidney is not perfused and is kept in cold storage until the beginning of the implant procedure.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Instrument</td>
			<td>Roboz #</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools #</td>
			<td>Arosurgical #</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Straight micro-dissecting forcep #5</td>
			<td>RS-5015</td>
			<td>11295-51</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Curved micro-dissecting forcep #7</td>
			<td>RS-5047</td>
			<td>11297-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Curved serrated forcep</td>
			<td>RS-5137</td>
			<td>11052-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vannas micro-dissecting scissors, short</td>
			<td>RS-5610</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>09.140.08</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2">Micro-dissecting scissors, straight, sharp, long</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>11.602.11</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro spring handle needle holder</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>11.549.15</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Straight mosquito forcep</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>91308-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro-dissecting scissors, straight, blunt</td>
			<td>RS-5962</td>
			<td>14078-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro-dissecting scissors, curved, blunt</td>
			<td>RS-5981</td>
			<td>14079-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro retractor</td>
			<td>RS-6540</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Instrument tray, 10&#8221; x 6 &#189;&#8221; x &#190;&#8221;</td>
			<td>RT-1350S</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silk suture, 5/0, 22.5m spool</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>18020-50</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Suture</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10/0 nylon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>T4A10Q07</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5/0 silk</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>E19A05N</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gloves</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Drapes</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biogel from Medex Supply</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Precept, #64-9012-9</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringes</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Cotton applicators</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>B-D 1cc insulin, #329424</td>
			<td></td>
			<td colspan="2">Fisher-brand, #23-400-100</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Povidone-Iodine swabs</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PDI, #B40600</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4/0 Cotton ties</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2">Domestic cotton autoclaved with instruments</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

murine kidney transplant technique

The first mouse kidney transplant technique was published in 19731 by the Russell laboratory. Although it took some years for other labs to become proficient in and utilize this technique, it is now widely used by many laboratories around the world. A significant refinement to the original technique using the donor aorta to form the arterial anastomosis instead of the renal artery was developed and reported in 1993 by Kalina and Mottram 2 with a further advancement coming from the same laboratory in 1999 3. While one can become proficient in this model, a search of the literature reveals that many labs still experience a high proportion of graft loss due to arterial thrombosis. We describe here a technique that was devised in our laboratory that vastly reduces the arterial thrombus reported by others 4,5. This is achieved by forming a heel-and-toe cuff of the donor infra-renal aorta that facilitates a larger anastomosis and straighter blood flow into the kidney.

This surgical technique allows for either simple graft survival/rejection studies, or quite complex experimental protocols. In the figures below we demonstrate the advantages of using this improved arterial anastomosis technique. Using this technique we have significantly reduced the incidence of arterial thrombosis from 35% to 0% thus increasing productivity. We have used this technique for over one year with the same 0% thrombosis result maintained. Figure 1 describes the method for the formation of th...

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Murine Kidney Transplant Technique

The goal of this manuscript is to describe the steps required to perform a kidney transplant in a mouse, paying particular attention to the details of the arterial anastomosis.

The first mouse kidney transplant technique was published in 19731 by the Russell laboratory. Although it took some years for other labs to become ...

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15.6K visualizações.  University of Colorado, Denver. The goal of this manuscript is to describe the steps required to perform a kidney transplant in a mouse, paying particular attention to the details of the arterial anastomosis. 