Blood Circuit Reconstruction in an Abdominal Mouse Heart Transplantation Model

Summary

A novel technique for blood circuit reconstruction in a heterotopic abdominal mouse heart transplantation model is demonstrated.

Abstract

The surgical technique of heterotopic abdominal heart transplantation in mice is a standard model for research in transplantation immunology. Here, the established technique for a modified blood circuit reconstruction in a heterotopic abdominal heart transplantation model is presented. This method uses the intrathoracic inferior vena cava (IIVC) instead of the pulmonary artery of the donor heart for the anastomosis to the inferior vena cava of the recipient. It is facilitating and improving success rates for abdominal heart transplantation in mice.

Introduction

The surgical technique of heterotopic abdominal heart transplantation in mice represents a standard model for research in transplantation immunology^1,2,3. However, it is very challenging to perform and this implicates a restriction to the widespread use of this model^4,5.

In traditional mouse heart transplantation (THTx), the donor aorta and the recipient abdominal aorta are anastomosed while the pulmonary artery is anastomosed to the recipient inferior vena cava⁶

Protocol

All animal experiments were conducted following the guidelines from the directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament on protection of animals used for scientific purposes (Ethic committee approved, #G1071/09).

NOTE: Preliminary preparation, anesthesia, post-operative care and monitoring work are the same as performed in traditional surgical methods^1,2,4. BALB/c mice served as heart donors and C57BL.......

Discussion

The surgical technique of heterotopic abdominal heart transplantation in mice is very challenging and this implicates a restriction to the widespread use of this model.

One of the disadvantages of the conventional technique is the limiting length of the donor's pulmonary artery (PA). It is usually of about 2 mm of length, whereas the length of the IIVC of the donor heart used in our model is generally about 1 cm (Figure 2). That means that in the modified mode.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
30G-needles	Braun	456300
acepromazine	CP Pharma	Tranquisol P
BALB/c AnNCrl mice	Charles River. Germany	no catalog number
Bepanthen eye ointment	Haus-Apotheke	PZN 01578675
Bonn Micro Forceps	FST	11083-07
Box for insulation and oxygen supply device	RUSKINN	INVIV
C57BL/6J  mice	Charles River. Germany	no catalog number
Carprofen	Zoetis	Rimadyl 50 mg/ml
CATHETER-FEP 26G	TERUMO	Surflo-W
Clip Applicator Forceps Style	FST	18057-14
Curved forceps	WPI	14114-G
custodiol/HTK	Dr. Franz Köhler Chemie	no catalog numer
Cutasept skin disinfection	VWR	BODL980365
electrosurgical pen	Bovie	CHANGE-A-TIP
gauze pads, cotton swabs	Lohmann-Rauscher	13353
Heating mat	THERMO MAT PRO 30W	HTP-30
Hemostatic sponge	CuraSpon	J1276A
heparine-solution	Haus-Apotheke	PZN 03029820
Ice box	PETZ	No Catalog Number available
Inhalation anesthesia device	GROPPLER	BKGM 0616
insulation and oxygen supply device	RUSKINN	INVIV
isoflurane	CP Pharma	Isofluran CP 1 ml/ml
ketamine	Zoetis	no catalog numer
metamizole	WDT	no catalog numer
Micro scissors	FST	15000-00,15000-10
Micro Serrefine ( Clamp ) Angled / 16 mm	FST	18055-06
Microscope	Leica	LEICAMZ6
Microscope light	SCHOTT	KL2500LED
Saline solution (NaCl 0.9%)	Haus-Apotheke	PZN 06178437
Scissors	Peha Instruments	991083/4
small Petri dish	Sarstedt	833900
Straight forceps	WPI	14113-G
surgical tape	BSN	4120
Suture Tying Forceps - 10 cm	FST	18025-10
Sutures(10-0)	Medtronic	N2540
Sutures(4-0)	ETHILON	V4940H
Sutures(7-0)	ETHILON	1647H
Syringe (0.3 mL)	BD	324826
Syringe (1 mL)	BD	320801
xylazine	Bayer	Rompun