A Revised Method for Inducing Secondary Lymphedema in the Hindlimb of Mice

Summary

This animal model enables researchers to induce statistically significant secondary lymphedema in the hindlimb of mice, lasting at least 8 weeks. The model can be used to study the pathophysiology of lymphedema and to investigate novel treatment options.

Abstract

Animal models are of paramount importance in the research of lymphedema in order to understand the pathophysiology of the disease but also to explore potential treatment options. This mouse model allows researchers to induce significant lymphedema lasting at least 8 weeks. Lymphedema is induced using a combination of fractioned radiotherapy and surgical ablation of lymphatics. This model requires that the mice get a dose of 10 Gray (Gy) radiation before and after surgery. The surgical part of the model involves ligation of three lymph vessels and extraction of two lymph nodes from the mouse hindlimb. Having access to microsurgical tools and a microscope is essential, due to the small anatomical structures of mice. The advantage of this model is that it results in statistically significant lymphedema, which provides a good basis for evaluating different treatment options. It is also a great and easily available option for microsurgical training. The limitation of this model is that the procedure can be time consuming, especially if not practiced in advance. The model results in objectively quantifiable lymphedema in mice, without causing severe morbidity and has been tested in three separate projects.

Introduction

Lymphedema is characterized by an accumulation of lymph fluid that leads to localized tissue swelling, which mainly occurs due to impaired or disrupted flow of lymph fluid in the lymphatic vessels¹. The lymph flow can be impaired or disrupted by infection, obstruction, injury or congenital defects in the lymphatic system². These etiologies result in accumulation of lymphatic fluid, which leads to a chronic state of inflammation, resulting in subsequent fibrosis, as well as deposition of adipose tissue³. Lymphedema can be categorized as primary or secondary lymphedema. Primary lymphedema is caused ....

Protocol

Animals were housed in the University of Southern Denmark Animal Care Facility as per institutional guidelines. All procedures involving animal subjects have been approved by The Animal Experiments Inspectorate, Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark.

1. Pre-surgery irradiation

NOTE: Pre-surgery irradiation takes place 7 days before surgery.

1. Induce anesthesia.
   1. Place the mouse in an induction box and set the vaporizer to 3% isoflurane with an oxygen flow rate of 0.8−1.2 L/min to induce inhalation anesthesia.
      NOTE: Alternatively, injectable anesthetics can be used but for ....

Results

This procedure has previously been used in three separate experiments. All the experiments were made by different lead investigators who all are co-authors of this article. In all three experiments, great care was taken to adhere to the same procedure as described in this protocol. In all three experiments, secondary lymphedema was induced in one hindlimb while the other hindlimb served as a control. Volumes of the hindlimbs were the primary outcome in all three experiments.

Discussion

There are a few critical steps in this protocol. Firstly, it is important that the researchers take safety precautions when working with radioactivity. Secondly, during the surgical part of this protocol, it is important to start the procedure once the mouse has been anesthetized and finish it without unnecessary breaks. This is important to avoid an excessively long surgical period for the animal and to prevent that the anesthesia loses effect during surgery. It is recommended to only administer one bolus injection of a.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
10-0 Nylon suture	S&T	12051-10
6-0 Nylon suture - Dafilon	B Braun	C0933112
Coagulator - ICC 50	ERBE
Cotton tipped applicators	Yibon medical co
Dissecting forceps	Lawton	09-0190
Elastic retractors	Odense University Hospital
Electrical clipper	Aesculap	GT420
Fentanyl 0,315 mg/ml	Matrix
Heating pad - PhysioSuite	Kent Scientific Corp.
Isoflurane 1000mg Attane	Scan Vet
Isoflurane vaporizer - PPV	Penlon
Micro jewler forceps	Lawton	1405-05
Micro Needle holder	Lawton	25679-14
Micro scissors	Lawton	10128-15
Micro tying forceps	Lawton	43953-10
Microfine U-40 syringe 0,5ml	BD	328821
Microlance syringe 25g	BD
Microlance syringe 27g	BD
Midazolam 5 mg/ml (hameln)	Matrix
Needle holder - Circle wood	Lawton	08-0065
Non woven swabs	Selefa
Opmi pico microscope F170	Zeiss
Patent blue V - 25 mg/ml	Guerbet
Scissors - Joseph	BD	RH1630
Siemens INVEON multimodality pre-clinical scanner	Siemens pre-clinical solutions
Source of radiation - D3100	Gulmay
Stata Statistical Software: Release 15	StataCorp LLC
Temgesic - 0,2 mg	Indivior
Vet eye ointment - viscotears	Bausch & Lomb