Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing

Summary

This protocol describes a serial transoral laryngoscopy approach for mice and rats that permits close-up, unobstructed video imaging of the larynx during breathing and swallowing using an optimized anesthetic regimen and finely tuned endoscopic manipulation techniques.

Abstract

The larynx is an essential organ in mammals with three primary functions - breathing, swallowing, and vocalizing. A wide range of disorders are known to impair laryngeal function, which results in difficulty breathing (dyspnea), swallowing impairment (dysphagia), and/or voice impairment (dysphonia). Dysphagia, in particular, can lead to aspiration pneumonia and associated morbidity, recurrent hospitalization, and early mortality. Despite these serious consequences, existing treatments for laryngeal dysfunction are largely aimed at surgical and behavioral interventions that unfortunately do not typically restore normal laryngeal function, thus highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions.

To bridge this gap, we have been developing an experimental endoscopic approach to investigate laryngeal dysfunction in murine (i.e., mouse and rat) models. However, endoscopy in rodents is quite challenging due to their small size relative to current endoscope technology, anatomical differences in the upper airway, and the necessity for anesthesia to optimally access the larynx. Here, we describe a novel transoral laryngoscopy approach that permits close-up, unobstructed video imaging of laryngeal motion in mice and rats. Critical steps in the protocol include precise anesthesia management (to prevent overdosing that abolishes swallowing and/or risks respiratory distress-related mortality) and micromanipulator control of the endoscope (for stable video recording of laryngeal motion by a single researcher for subsequent quantification).

Importantly, the protocol can be performed over time in the same animals to study the impact of various pathological conditions specifically on laryngeal function. A novel advantage of this protocol is the ability to visualize airway protection during swallowing, which is not possible in humans due to epiglottic inversion over the laryngeal inlet that obstructs the glottis from view. Rodents therefore provide a unique opportunity to specifically investigate the mechanisms of normal versus pathological laryngeal airway protection for the ultimate purpose of discovering treatments to effectively restore normal laryngeal function.

Introduction

The larynx is a cartilaginous organ located at the intersection of the respiratory and digestive tracts in the throat, where it functions as a valving mechanism to precisely control the flow and direction of air (i.e., during breathing and vocalizing) versus food and liquid (i.e., during swallowing). A wide range of disorders are known to affect the larynx, including congenital (e.g., laryngomalacia, subglottic stenosis), neoplastic (e.g., laryngeal papillomatosis, squamous cell carcinoma), neurological (e.g., idiopathic laryngeal paralysis, stroke, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and iatrogenic (e.g., inadvertent injury during head or neck su....

Protocol

The murine laryngoscopy protocol follows an approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines. It was developed for use with over 100 adult C57BL/6J mice and over 50 adult Sprague Dawley rats, approximately equal sexes and 6 weeks-12 months old for both species. Additional protocol development is necessary for adaptation to younger/smaller rodents. Animals were group housed (up to four mice or two rats per cage, based on sex and litter). The standard .......

Discussion

We have successfully developed a replicable murine-specific laryngoscopy protocol that permits close-up visualization of laryngeal motion during breathing and swallowing. Importantly, the protocol can be performed over time in the same animals to study the impact of various pathological conditions specifically on laryngeal function. This protocol was developed over the past decade and has undergone substantial modification and troubleshooting along the way. Anesthesia optimization was the greatest challenge to overcome t.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Atipamezole	Zoetis	Antisedan; 5 mg/mL	Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Bioamplifier	Warner Instrument Corp.	DP-304	Hamden, CT
Concentric EMG needle electrode	Chalgren Enterprises, Inc.	231-025-24TP; 25 mm x 0.3 mm/30 G	Gilroy, CA
Cotton tipped applicator (tapered)	Puritan Medical Products	REF 25-826 5W	Guilford, ME
Data Acquisition System	ADInstruments	PowerLab 8/30	Colorado Springs, CO
DC Temperature Control System - for endoscopy platform	FHC, Inc.	40-90-8D	Bowdoin, ME
Electrophysiology recording software	ADInstruments	LabChart 8 with video capture module	Colorado Springs, CO
Endoscope monitor	Karl Storz Endoscopy-America	Storz Tele Pack X monitor	El Segundo, CA
Glycopyrrolate	Piramal Critical Care	NDC 66794-204-02; 0.2 mg/mL	Bethlehem, PA
Ground electrode	Consolidated Neuro Supply, Inc.	27 gauge stainless steel, #S43-438	Loveland, OH
Isoflurane induction chamber	Braintree Scientific, Inc.	Gas Anesthetizing Box - Red	Braintree, MA
Ketamine hydrochloride	Covetrus North America	NDC 11695-0703-1, 100 mg/mL	Dublin, OH
Metal spatula to decouple epiglottis and velum	Fine Science Tools	Item No. 10091-12;	Foster City, CA
Micro-brush to remove food/secretions from oral cavity	Safeco Dental Supply	REF 285-0023, 1.5 mm	Buffalo Grove, IL
Mouse-size heating pad for endoscopy platform	FHC, Inc.	40-90-2-07 – 5 x 12.5 cm Heating Pad	Bowdoin, ME
Ophthalmic ointment (sterile)	Allergan, Inc.	Refresh Lacri-lube	Irvine, CA
Otoscope	Karl Storz	REF 1232AA	El Segundo, CA
Pneumogram Sensor	BIOPAC Systems, Inc.	RX110	Goleta, CA
Pulse oximetry - Vetcorder Pro Veterinary Monitor	Sentier HC, LLC	Part No. 710-1750	Waukesha, WI
Rat-size heating pad for endoscopy platform	FHC, Inc.	40-90-2 – 12.5X25cm Heating Pad	Bowdoin, ME
Sterile needles for drug injections	Becton, Dickinson and Company	REF 305110, 26 G x 3/8 inch, PrecisionGlide	Franklin Lakes, NJ
Sterile syringes for drug injections	Becton, Dickinson and Company	REF 309628; 1 mL, Luer-Lok tip	Franklin Lakes, NJ
Surgical drape to cover induction cage for dark environment	Covidien LP	Argyle Surgical Drape Material, Single Ply	Minneapolis, MN
Surgical tape to secure pneumograph sensor to abdomen	3M Health Care	#1527-0, 1/2 inch	St. Paul, MN
Transparent blanket for thermoregulation	The Glad Products Company	Press’n Seal Cling Film	Oakland, CA
Video editing software	Pinnacle Systems, Inc.	Pinnacle Studio, v24	Mountain View, CA
Water circulating heating pad - for anesthesia induction/recovery station	Adroit Medical Systems	HTP-1500 Heat Therapy Pump	Loudon, TN
Xylazine	Vet One	NDC 13985-701-10; Anased, 100 mg/mL	Boise, ID