This work was supported by NIH&#39;s OD R24 grant OD031956 and NICHD R01 grant HD073104. We thank Darcy Kelly for helpful discussions and initial input on this protocol. We would also like to thank Samantha Jalbert, Jill Ralston, and Wil Ratzan for their assistance and support as well as our three anonymous peer reviewers for their feedback.

All experiments were performed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Harvard Medical School IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) (IS 00001365_3).
NOTE: Though the primary method of euthanasia described is deemed an acceptable technique for euthanasia by the American Veterinary Medical Association12, it has not been found to lead to the cessation of a heartbeat13. Even the frequently used secondary method of double pit...

Blood Perfusion in African Clawed Frogs for Transcriptomics and Proteomics

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	<li>Saltman, A. J., Barakat, M., Bryant, D. M., Brodovskaya, A., Whited, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=DiI+perfusion+as+a+method+for+vascular+visualization+in+Ambystoma+mexicanum.">DiI perfusion as a method for vascular visualization in Ambystoma mexicanum.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (124), e55740 (2017).</li><li>Lametschwandtner, A., Minnich, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microvascular+anatomy+of+the+brain+of+the+adult+pipid+frog,+Xenopus+laevis+(Daudin):+A+scanning+electron+microscopic+study+of+vascular+corrosion+casts.">Microvascular anatomy of the brain of the adult pipid frog, Xenopus laevis (Daudin): A scanning electron microscopic study of vascular corrosion casts.</a> Journal of Morphology. 279 (7), 950-969 (2018).</li><li>Lametschwandtner, A., Minnich, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microvascular+anatomy+of+the+urinary+bladder+in+the+adult+African+clawed+toad,+Xenopus+laevis:+A+scanning+electron+microscope+study+of+vascular+casts.">Microvascular anatomy of the urinary bladder in the adult African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis: A scanning electron microscope study of vascular casts.</a> Journal of Morphology. 282 (3), 368-377 (2021).</li><li>Lametschwandtner, 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=Microvascular+anatomy+of+the+gallbladder+of+the+adult+South+African+clawed+toad,+Xenopus+laevis+Daudin:+A+scanning+electron+microscope+study+of+vascular+corrosion+casts.">Microvascular anatomy of the gallbladder of the adult South African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis Daudin: A scanning electron microscope study of vascular corrosion casts.</a> Microscopy and Microanalysis. 13, 492-493 (2007).</li><li>Lametschwandtner, A., Spornitz, U., Minnich, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microvascular+anatomy+of+the+non-lobulated+liver+of+adult+Xenopus+laevis:+A+scanning+electron+microscopic+study+of+vascular+casts.">Microvascular anatomy of the non-lobulated liver of adult Xenopus laevis: A scanning electron microscopic study of vascular casts.</a> Anatomical Record. 305 (2), 243-253 (2022).</li><li>Miodo&#324;ski, A. J., B&#228;r, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arterial+supply+of+the+choriocapillaris+of+anuran+amphibians+(Rana+temporaria,+Rana+esculenta).+Scanning+electron-microscopic+(SEM)+study+of+microcorrosion+casts.">Arterial supply of the choriocapillaris of anuran amphibians (Rana temporaria, Rana esculenta). Scanning electron-microscopic (SEM) study of microcorrosion casts.</a> Cell and Tissue Research. 249 (1), 101-109 (1987).</li><li>Nenni, M. J., 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=Xenbase:+Facilitating+the+use+of+Xenopus+to+model+human+disease.">Xenbase: Facilitating the use of Xenopus to model human disease.</a> Frontiers in Physiology. 10, 154 (2019).</li><li>Tandon, P., Conlon, F., Furlow, J. D., Horb, M. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expanding+the+genetic+toolkit+in+Xenopus:+Approaches+and+opportunities+for+human+disease+modeling.">Expanding the genetic toolkit in Xenopus: Approaches and opportunities for human disease modeling.</a> Developmental Biology. 426 (2), 325-335 (2017).</li><li>Peshkin, L., 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+protein+repertoire+in+early+vertebrate+embryogenesis.">The protein repertoire in early vertebrate embryogenesis.</a> bioRxiv. , (2019).</li><li>Briggs, 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=The+dynamics+of+gene+expression+in+vertebrate+embryogenesis+at+single-cell+resolution.">The dynamics of gene expression in vertebrate embryogenesis at single-cell resolution.</a> Science. 360 (6392), (2018).</li><li>Liao, Y., 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=Cell+landscape+of+larval+and+adult+Xenopus+laevis+at+single-cell+resolution.">Cell landscape of larval and adult Xenopus laevis at single-cell resolution.</a> Nature Communications. 13 (1), 4306 (2022).</li><li>AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association). <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=AVMA+guidelines+for+the+euthanasia+of+animals,+2020+edition.">AVMA guidelines for the euthanasia of animals, 2020 edition.</a> AVMA. , 37 (2020).</li><li>Navarro, K., Jampachaisri, K., Chu, D., Pacharinsak, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bupivacaine+as+a+euthanasia+agent+for+African+Clawed+Frogs+(Xenopus+laevis).">Bupivacaine as a euthanasia agent for African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus laevis).</a> PLoS One. 17 (12), e0279331 (2022).</li><li>Wu, J., 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=Transcardiac+perfusion+of+the+mouse+for+brain+tissue+dissection+and+fixation.">Transcardiac perfusion of the mouse for brain tissue dissection and fixation.</a> Bio-Protocol. 11 (5), e3988 (2021).</li><li>Heinz-Taheny, K. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiovascular+physiology+and+diseases+of+amphibians.+Veterinary+clinics+of+North+America.">Cardiovascular physiology and diseases of amphibians. Veterinary clinics of North America.</a> The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Exotic Animal Practice. 12 (1), 39-50 (2009).</li><li>Stephenson, A., Adams, J. W., Vaccarezza, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+vertebrate+heart:+an+evolutionary+perspective.">The vertebrate heart: an evolutionary perspective.</a> Journal of Anatomy. 231 (6), 787-797 (2017).</li><li>Hoops, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+perfusion+protocol+for+lizards,+including+a+method+for+brain+removal.">A perfusion protocol for lizards, including a method for brain removal.</a> MethodsX. 2, 165-173 (2015).</li></ol>

The authors declare no competing interests.

This protocol describes traditional dissection techniques for accessing the coelomic cavity. Other techniques are also acceptable, provided they cause minimal damage to the tissues, the heart is accessible, and the lung and stomach are visible. Similarly, most dissection tools listed can be easily substituted with comparable items.
While attempts have been made to optimize the efficacy of this procedure, results may vary depending on one's experience and variability between individual frogs. O...

The whole body perfusion of amphibians is routinely completed for the purposes of preservation and fixation1,2,3,4,5,6. However, these procedures occur at a rate that limits the number of fresh samples that can be taken per animal. The goal of this work is to develop an effective blood perfusion protocol in Xenopus, prioritizing the speed of the technique. The protocol takes less than 10 min per animal for X. tropicalis and less than 15 min per X. laevis animal. The secondary priorities are the ease of replication and the use of easily acquired equipment so that high-quality samples can be shared widely between Xenopus labs.
Xenopus frogs are used widely in biomedical research to study fundamental biological and pathological processes conserved across species. This tetrapod has a closer evolutionary relationship with mammals than other aquatic models, having lungs, a three-chambered heart, and limbs with digits. The international community effectively uses Xenopus to gain a deeper understanding of human disease through in-depth disease modeling and molecular analysis of disease-related gene function. The numerous advantages of Xenopus as an animal model make them invaluable tools to study the molecular basis of human development and disease; these advantages include: large oocyte and embryo size, high fecundity, ease of housing, rapid external development, and ease of genomic manipulation. Xenopus have been estimated to share ~80% of the identified human disease genes7.
Compared to popular mammalian models, Xenopus is a rapid, cost-effective model, with the ease of morpholino knock-down and availability of efficient transgenics and targeted gene mutations using CRISPR8. Quantitative mass spectrometry and single-cell transcriptomics have been successfully applied to Xenopus embryos9,10,&#160;but a recent cell atlas from Xenopus laevis shows that the composition of most tissues is dominated by blood cell types11. By developing a technique that exsanguinates tissue at a rapid rate and using chilled media, the sample freshness is minimally affected by perfusion. This is particularly important for applications where the goal is to profile physiologically unperturbed mRNA or protein expression.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>5x Magnifying glass with LED light and stand</td>
			<td>amazon.com</td>
			<td>B08QJ6J8P1</td>
			<td>light must not produce heat</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Disposable transfer pipets</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>414004-036</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting fine-pointed forceps</td>
			<td>Fisher Scinetific</td>
			<td>08-875</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting scissors sharp piont, straight 6.5&#34;</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>76457-374</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissection tray</td>
			<td>Fisher Scinetific</td>
			<td>14-370-284</td>
			<td>styrofoam sheets are an acceptable alternative</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Euthanasia container</td>
			<td>US Plastic</td>
			<td>Item&#160;2860</td>
			<td>alternative opaque containers acceptable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Euthanasia container lid</td>
			<td>US Plastic</td>
			<td>Item&#160;3047</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fine dissection pins</td>
			<td>Living Systems Instrumentation</td>
			<td>PIN-#3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>General use hypodermic needles, 22 G</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-826-5A</td>
			<td>for X. laevis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>General use hypodermic needles, 25 G</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-826AA</td>
			<td>for X. tropicalis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heparin, porcine intestinal mucosa</td>
			<td>MilliporeSigma</td>
			<td>37-505-410MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Iridectomy scissors 6&#34;</td>
			<td>vwr</td>
			<td>470018-938</td>
			<td>iris scissors are an acceptable alternative</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Luer-to-barb adapter male Luer with lock ring</td>
			<td>amazon.com</td>
			<td>B09PTX6M2Z</td>
			<td>size will be dependant on the hosing of the pump used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mayo-Hegar needle holder</td>
			<td>Fisher Scinetific</td>
			<td>08-966</td>
			<td>mosquito forceps are an acceptable alternative</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MS-222: Syncaine (formerly tricaine)</td>
			<td>Pentair AES</td>
			<td>TRS1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS 1x</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>21-040-CV</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Peristaltic liquid pump dosing pump 5&#8211;100 mL/min</td>
			<td>amazon.com</td>
			<td>B07PWY4SM6</td>
			<td>any peristaltic pump capable of pumping 5-10mL/min is acceptable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sharpening stone</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>470150-112</td>
			<td>optional; for dulling needles</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium bicarbonate, powder, USP</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>18-606-333</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Specimen forceps, serrated</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>82027-442</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T-Pins for dissecting</td>
			<td>Fisher Scinetific</td>
			<td>S99385</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultra-fine short insulin syringes, 31 G</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>BD328438</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wire flush cutters, 6-inch ultra sharp &#38; powerful side cutter clippers</td>
			<td>amazon.com</td>
			<td>B087P191LP</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

effective rapid blood perfusion in xenopus

Xenopus have been powerful model organisms for understanding vertebrate development and disease for over 100 years. Here, a rapid blood perfusion protocol in Xenopus, aimed at a consistent and drastic reduction of blood within all tissues, is defined. Perfusion is carried out by inserting a needle directly into the ventricle of the heart and pumping heparinized phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) through the vascular system. The procedure can be completed in approximately 10 min per animal. The blood is dominated by a few highly abundant proteins and cell types, creating numerous issues as these proteins mask most other molecules and cell types of interest. The reproducible characterization of adult Xenopus tissues with quantitative proteomics and single-cell transcriptomics will benefit from applying this protocol prior to organ sampling. The protocols for tissue sampling are defined in companion papers. These procedures are aimed at the standardization of practices across Xenopus of different sex, age, and health status, specifically X. laevis and X. tropicalis.

Author Spotlight: Effective Rapid Blood Perfusion in Xenopus  

Effective Rapid Blood Perfusion in Xenopus

This procedure centers around the humane utilization of amphibian models in a manner that maximizes efficiency. Standardization practices can be applied to samples taken and preserved at the originating colony, mitigating biosecurity risks and eliminating animal transport stress. Profusion can be completed quickly, maximizing the time available to sample tissues while they are still fresh.This freshness is especially important for proteomic and transcriptomic profiling. This protocol is detailed and explicit, making it usable for individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds. This facilitates the sharing of high-quality samples between Xenopus labs.Along with this profusion technique, a similarly comprehensive protocol is being worked on for the standardized sampling of all major organs.

Following successful perfusion, all tissues (excluding the liver in pigmented Xenopus) will be distinctly lighter and less saturated with blood. Major blood vessels will become less noticeable (Figure 10), and tissues (excluding the liver) will rinse cleanly in the buffer after being sampled. While the successful execution of the protocol can ultimately only be confirmed by the quality of the data from exsanguinated tissue samples, several typical problems, their possible causes, an...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Effective Rapid Blood Perfusion in Xenopus at JoVE.com

Presented here is an effective rapid blood perfusion protocol to prepare tissue samples from African clawed frogs for transcriptomics and proteomics studies.

Xenopus have been powerful model organisms for understanding vertebrate development and disease for over 100 years. Here, a rapid blood perfusion protocol ...

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Preparation for Perfusion in Xenopus

Preparation for Perfusion in Xenopus   

Following 15 minutes of submersion in the euthanasia solution, ensure the Xenopus is anesthetized by pinching the foot of the frog. Record the weight and any other parameters needed at this time. Using a 31 gauge needle, inject Xenopus laevis in each forelimb muscle with 250 microliters of heparin in PBS.inject Xenopus tropicalis with 100 microliters of heparin in PBS. Trim the tip off a perfusion needle with wire cutters. Attach the trimmed needle to the pump and circulate 54 units per milliliter of heparinized PBS perfusate.Purge all air bubbles from the tubing. Place the dissection tray at an incline within a secondary container to facilitate blood drainage.

Xenopus Dissection and Perfusion

Xenopus Dissection and Perfusion  

After completing the primary euthanasia, check the loss of pain response by pinching the foot. Place the frog on its back. Pin down each limb.Cut through the midline of the skin, then cut laterally to create two skin flaps. Grab the linea alba with forceps, and pull it away from the coelomic cavity. Cut through the musculature.Cut or pin all the flaps out of the way. Cut through the coracoid bones with the help of dissection scissors and remove any excess tissue to gain better access to the heart. Next, gently shift the stomach of the dissected Xenopus to the top of the left liver lobe.Gently grasp a lung tip using tissue forceps and pull it outside the coelomic cavity, then pin the lung through the tip. Pull the thin pericardium tight with tissue forceps. Using the tip of a pair of iridectomy scissors, gently perforate the pericardium without cutting any underlying tissue.Peel the pericardium away from the heart chambers. Gently grasp the ventricle apex with forceps. Without perforating the ventricle, insert the needle through the closure of the forceps into the ventricle chamber.Clamp the tissue forceps in place using a needle holder or hemostat. Start the flow of the pump at approximately five milliliters per minute. This will engorge the heart chambers and the arterial trunk.Use scissors to make a nick in the right auricle. Continue the pump flow until the vasculature of the stomach blanches. Lance the left heart auricle.Increase the flow rate of the pump to 10 milliliters per minute. Using a transfer pipette, rinse the coelomic cavity and perfusion media. If the organs shift during rinsing, gently shift them back to maintain visibility of the stomach and lungs.To help visualize the perfusate flowing out of the heart, the auricles may further be reduced. Keep the needle in place until the stomach vasculature and lungs have blanched and the perfusate flowing from the heart appears clear. Successful perfusion was observed in all tissues except the liver, making them distinctly lighter and less saturated with blood.This is most visible in albinos.

3.2K Views.  Harvard Medical School.  Presented here is an effective rapid blood perfusion protocol to prepare tissue samples from African clawed frogs for transcriptomics and proteomics studies. 

Blood Perfusion in African Clawed Frogs for Transcriptomics and Proteomics

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