X.H.T.W. is a W.M. Keck Foundation Distinguished Young Scholar in Medical Research, and is also supported by NIH/NHLBI grants R01-HL089598 and R01- R01HL091947, and Muscular Dystrophy Association grant #69238. R.J.v.O. is the recipient of the 2008-2010 American Physiological Society Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physiological Genomics. This work is also supported in part by the Fondation Leducq Alliance for CaMKII Signaling in Heart.

Part 1: Preparation of Operating Field
<ol>
	<li>The operating field is disinfected with 75% isopropyl alcohol.</li>
	<li>Make sure the heating pad is on and at the right temperature. A recommended system is a Gaymar circulating water pump connected to a therapy pad that is maintained at 37 &deg;C &plusmn; 1 &deg;C. It is important to maintain normal body temperature during surgery as to avoid a rapid decrease in heart rate. </li>
	<li>Surgical tools are sterilized in a hot bead sterilizer before surgery. For this procedure, you will need the following surgical instruments: blunt scissors, course curved forceps X 2, fine 45&deg; angled forceps X 2, angled spring scissors, chest retractor, and needle holder.</li>
	<li>Cotton applicators should be on hand in case of bleeding.</li>
</ol>
Part 2: Preparation and Intubation of Mice
<ol>
	<li>Mice are anesthetized in an induction chamber with 2% isoflurane mixed with 0.5 -1.0 L/min 100% O2.</li>
	<li>Hair clippers are used to shave the fur from the neckline to mid chest level. </li>
	<li>The mouse is placed in a supine position atop a heating pad in order to maintain body temperature.</li>
	<li>A rubber band is placed over the animal s front teeth to extend the neck. Using curved forceps in one hand, the tongue is gently manipulated to the side. With the other hand, endotracheal intubation is performed using PE 90 tubing. The endotracheal tube is then connected to a Harvard volume-cycled rodent ventilator cycling at 125-150 breaths/minute and a tidal volume of 0.1-0.3ml. During the surgical procedure, anesthesia is maintained at 1.5-2% isoflurane with 0.5 - 1.0 L/min 100% O2. Correct level of anesthesia is verified by applying pressure on the mouse nail bed (toe-pinch reflex).</li>
	<li>The surgical field is disinfected with betadine solution followed by 70% alcohol. This procedure is repeated three times.</li>
	<li>To prevent contamination of the surgical field during the operation, a sterile drape is placed over the mouse leaving only the operation field exposed.</li>
	<li>A set of sterile gloves is used for each individual mouse.</li>
</ol>
Part 3: Ligation of the Transverse Aorta
<ol>
	<li>Partial thoracotomy to the second rib is performed under a surgical microscope and the sternum retracted using a chest retractor.</li>
	<li>Fine tip 45&deg; angled forceps are used to gently separate the thymus and fat tissue from the aortic arch.</li>
	<li>Following identification of the transverse aorta, a small piece of a 6.0 silk suture is placed between the innominate and left carotid arteries (Figure 1).</li>
	<li>Two loose knots are tied around the transverse aorta and a small piece of a 27&frac12; gauge blunt needle is placed parallel to the transverse aorta. The first knot is quickly tied against the needle, followed by the second and the needle promptly removed in order to yield a constriction of 0.4mm in diameter. In sham control mice, the entire procedure is identical except for the ligation of the aorta.</li>
	<li>The chest retractor is removed and the outflow of the ventilator pinched off for 2 seconds to re-inflate the lungs.</li>
	<li>The rib cage is closed using a 6.0 prolene suture with an interrupted suture pattern. </li>
	<li>The skin is closed using a 6.0 prolene suture with a continuous suture pattern.</li>
</ol>
Part 4: Post-operative Recovery
<ol>
	<li>For post-operative analgesia, the mouse is injected with buprenorphine (0.1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. If there are signs of dehydration after surgery, sterile saline is given intraperitoneally. </li>
	<li>Anesthesia is gradually lowered to the off position and the endotracheal tube removed when signs of spontaneous breathing occur.</li>
	<li>The mouse is moved to the prone position and allowed to recover on a heating pad.</li>
</ol>
Part 5: Confirmation of Successful Ligation of the Transverse Aorta
<ol>
<li> One week after TAC, the mouse is re-anesthetized to determine the degree of pressure overload induced by ligation of the transverse aorta. As described above, anesthesia is maintained at 1.5-2% isoflurane with 0.5 - 1.0 L/min 100% O2 and body temperature maintained at 37 &deg;C &plusmn; 1 &deg;C. </li>
	<li>A 20 MHz Doppler probe is placed on the left and right sides of the neck at a 45&deg; angle to detect flow velocities. A computer-based Doppler signal processor (Indus Instruments, Houston, TX) was used to display and store Doppler signals.5 </li>
	<li>Depending on the degree of pressure overload required for the experimental protocol, only mice with a right carotid (RC)/left carotid (LC) flow ratio within a certain range are included for further analysis. For example, a moderate degree of pressure overload leads to a ratio of 5-8, whereas a tighter constriction resulting in severe pressure overload leads to a ratio of 8-10 (Figure 5.3A). A sham animal (operated but not ligated), however, is expected to have a ratio of ~1 (Figure 5.3B).</li>
</ol>
6: Representative Results
The typical surgical survival following TAC in wild-type mice is about 80-90%. Successful surgical ligation of the transverse aorta will lead to a Doppler flow velocity ratio between right and left carotid artery (RC/LC) of 5-10 (Figure 1). Compared to sham-operated mice (Figure 2A), mice with pressure overload are expected to develop cardiac hypertrophy within 1-2 weeks, and cardiac dilatation after 6-8 week, depending on the tightness of the constriction (Figure 2B). Mortality during the first month after TAC is typically low (&lt;20%) in wild-type mice, although genetically-modified mice may exhibit different survival rates.6,7
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/1729/1729fig1tmb.jpg" alt="Figure 1" border="0" /> Figure 1. Confirmation of Transverse Aorta Ligation using Doppler Velocity Measurement. Representative Doppler velocity signals of the right (RC) and left carotid (LC) arteries 6 days post-TAC. These recordings demonstrate a successful ligation with a RC/LC flow ratio of ~6.8. Please <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/1729/1729fig1.jpg">click here</a> to see a larger version of figure 1.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/1729/1729fig2.jpg" alt="Figure 2" /> Figure 2. Representative Whole Heart Images Following TAC. A. Sham-operated wild type mouse heart. B. Wild type mouse heart 16 weeks post-TAC. Each line = 1mm.

<ol>
	<li>Rockman, H. A., Ross, R. S., Harris, A. N., Knowlton, K. U., Steinhelper, M. E., Field, L. J., Ross, J., Chein, K. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Segregation+of+atrial-specific+and+inducible+expression+of+an+atrial+natriuretic+factor+transgene+in+an+in+vivo+murine+model+of+cardiac+hypertrophy.">Segregation of atrial-specific and inducible expression of an atrial natriuretic factor transgene in an in vivo murine model of cardiac hypertrophy.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 88, 8277-8281 (1991).</li><li>Heineke, J., Molkentin, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+cardiac+hypertrophy+by+intracellular+signaling+pathways.">Regulation of cardiac hypertrophy by intracellular signaling pathways.</a> Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell. Biol. 7, 589-600 (2006).</li><li>Hartley, C. J., Reddy, A. K., Madala, S., Michael, L. H., Entman, M. L., Taffett, G. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Doppler+estimation+of+reduced+coronary+flow+reserve+in+mice+with+pressure+overload+cardiac+hypertrophy.">Doppler estimation of reduced coronary flow reserve in mice with pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy.</a> Ultrasound Med. Biol. 34, 892-901 (2008).</li><li>Reddy, A. K., Taffett, G. E., Li, Y. -. H., Lim, S. -. W., Pham, T. T., Pocius, J. S., Entman, M. L., Michael, L. H., Hartley, C. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Doppler+signal+processing+for+use+in+mice:+applications.">Doppler signal processing for use in mice: applications.</a> IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 52, 1771-1783 (2005).</li><li>Li, Y. -. H., Reddy, A. K., Ochoa, L. N., Pham, T. T., Hartley, C. J., Micheal, L. H., Entman, M. L., Taffett, G. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+age+on+peripheral+vascular+response+to+transverse+aortic+banding+in+mice.">Effect of age on peripheral vascular response to transverse aortic banding in mice.</a> J. Gerontol. 58A, 895-899 (2003).</li><li>Bourajjaj, M., Armand, A. S., Martins, d. a. C. o. s. t. a., Weijts, P. A., Nagel, B. V. a. n. d. e. r., Heeneman, R., Wehrens, S., Windt, X. H. D. e., 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=NFATc2+is+a+necessary+mediator+of+calcineurin-dependent+cardiac+hypertrophy+and+heart+failure.">NFATc2 is a necessary mediator of calcineurin-dependent cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 28, 22295-22303 (2008).</li><li>Oort, R. J. v. a. n., Respress, J. L., Li, N., Reynolds, C., Almeida, A. C. D. e., Skapura, D. G., Windt, L. J. D. e., Wehrens, X. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Accelerated+development+of+pressure+overload+induced+cardiac+hypertrophy+and+dysfunction+in+an+RyR2-R176Q+knockin+mouse+model.">Accelerated development of pressure overload induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction in an RyR2-R176Q knockin mouse model.</a> Hypertension. 55, (2010).</li><li>Tarnavski, O., McMullen, J. R., Schinke, M., Nie, Q., Kong, S., Izumo, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mouse+cardiac+surgery:+comprehensive+techniques+for+the+generation+of+mouse+models+of+human+diseases+and+their+application+for+genomic+studies.">Mouse cardiac surgery: comprehensive techniques for the generation of mouse models of human diseases and their application for genomic studies.</a> Physiol Genomics. 16, 349-360 (2004).</li></ol>

TAC, which mimics human aortic stenosis, is a common method to induce cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in mice. Alternative sites for aortic constriction include the ascending and abdominal aorta. Ascending aortic constriction provides an extreme and more rapid overload on the left ventricle (LV). In contrast, abdominal aortic constriction leaves intact a larger portion of the circulation as a means of possible compensation.8 Therefore, TAC is often the preferred model as it provides for adequate LV overl...

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>Gaymar T/pump</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
<td>Model TP-500</td>
<td>Circulating water pump</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Temp. therapy pads</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
<td>60-3414</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Hot bead sterilizer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>18000-45</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Blunt scissors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Roboz</td>
<td>RS-5980</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Angled spring scissors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Roboz</td>
<td>RS-5668</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Chest retractor</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>17002-02</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Course curved forceps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Roboz</td>
<td>RS-5138</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Dumont fine 45&deg; angled forceps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>11253-25</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Needle holder</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>12565-14</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Electric shaver</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>General Electric</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>For shaving mouse fur</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PE 90 tubing</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>BD</td>
<td>427420</td>
<td>For intubation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MiniVent (ventilator)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
<td>Type 845</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Betadine</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher</td>
<td>19-027132</td>
<td>May be purchased at medical supply store</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sterile gloves</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Mckesson</td>
<td>20-1565</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Stereo microscope</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Unico</td>
<td>ZM186</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>6-0 silk suture</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>18020-60</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>27 &frac12; gauge needle</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>BD</td>
<td>305109</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>6-0 prolene suture</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Mckesson</td>
<td>3286</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Buprenorphine</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Institutional Animal Facility</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

transverse aortic constriction in mice

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in the mouse is a commonly used experimental model for pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.1 TAC initially leads to compensated hypertrophy of the heart, which often is associated with a temporary enhancement of cardiac contractility. Over time, however, the response to the chronic hemodynamic overload becomes maladaptive, resulting in cardiac dilatation and heart failure.2 The murine TAC model was first validated by Rockman et al.1, and has since been extensively used as a valuable tool to mimic human cardiovascular diseases and elucidate fundamental signaling processes involved in the cardiac hypertrophic response and heart failure development. When compared to other experimental models of heart failure, such as complete occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, TAC provides a more reproducible model of cardiac hypertrophy and a more gradual time course in the development of heart failure. Here, we describe a step-by-step procedure to perform surgical TAC in mice. To determine the level of pressure overload produced by the aortic ligation, a high frequency Doppler probe is used to measure the ratio between blood flow velocities in the right and left carotid arteries.3, 4 With surgical survival rates of 80-90%, transverse aortic banding is an effective technique of inducing left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure in mice.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice at JoVE.com

Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in the mouse is a commonly used experimental model to study mechanisms underlying cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure development. Here, we describe procedures to constrict the aorta to create a reproducible degree of cardiac hypertrophy in mice.

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in the mouse is a commonly used experimental model for pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart ...

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66.5K Views.  Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in the mouse is a commonly used experimental model to study mechanisms underlying cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure development. Here, we describe procedures to constrict the aorta to create a reproducible degree of cardiac hypertrophy in mice.

Video: Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice

Creation of Murine Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with Elastase 

Transient intraluminal infusion of porcine pancreatic elastase into the infrarenal segment of the abdominal aorta is the most widely used animal model of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) ever since it was first described in rats by Anidjar and colleagues.1 The rationale for its development was based on the disrupted nature of elastin observed in AAAs. This rat model has been modified to produce AAAs in the infrarenal aortic region of mice.2 The model has the ability to add broad insight into the pathobiology of AAA due to the emergence of numerous transgenic and gene knockout mice. Moreover, it is a viable platform to test potential therapeutic agents for AAA. In this video, we demonstrate the elastase infusion AAA procedure used in our laboratory. 
Mice are anesthetized using 2.5% isoflurane, and a laparotomy is performed under sterile conditions. The abdominal aortais isolated with the assistance of an operating stereomicroscope (Leica). After placing temporary ligatures around the proximal and distal aorta, an aortotomy is created at the bifurcation with the tip of a 30-gauge needle. A heat-tapered segment of PE-10 polyethylene tubing is introduced through the aortotomy and secured. The aortic lumen is subsequently perfused for 5-15 minutes at 100 mm Hg with saline containing type I porcine pancreatic elastase (4.5 U/mL; Sigma Chemical Co.). After removing the perfusion catheter, the aortotomy is repaired without constriction of the lumen.

Creation of Murine Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with Elastase

This video shows how to induce abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in mice via transient intraluminal infusion of porcine pancreatic elastase into the infrarenal segment of the abdominal aorta. The model has the ability to add broad insight into the pathobiology of AAA due to the emergence of numerous transgenic and gene knockout mice.

Transient intraluminal infusion of porcine pancreatic elastase into the infrarenal segment of the abdominal aorta is the most widely used animal model of ...

Aortic Ring Assay

Angiogenesis, the sprouting of blood vessels from preexisting vasculature is associated with both natural and pathological processes. Various angiogenesis assays involve the study of individual endothelial cells in culture conditions (1). The aortic ring assay is an angiogenesis model that is based on organ culture. In this assay, angiogenic vessels grow from a segment of the aorta (modified from (2)). Briefly, mouse thoracic aorta is excised, the fat layer and adventitia are removed, and rings approximately 1 mm in length are prepared. Individual rings are then embedded in a small solid dome of basement matrix extract (BME), cast inside individual wells of a 48-well plate. Angiogenic factors and inhibitors of angiogenesis can be directly added to the rings, and a mixed co-culture of aortic rings and other cell types can be employed for the study of paracrine angiogenic effects. Sprouting is observed by inspection under a stereomicroscope over a period of 6-12 days. Due to the large variation caused by the irregularities in the aortic segments, experimentation in 6-plicates is strongly advised. Neovessel outgrowth is monitored throughout the experiment and imaged using phase microscopy, and supernatants are collected for measurement of relevant angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors, cell death markers and nitrite.

Angiogenesis, the sprouting of blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, is associated with both natural and pathological processes. Here we demonstrate an aortic ring assay that allows angiogenic potentiators and inhibitors to be directly added to aortic rings in culture. Sprouting and neovessel outgrowth can be determined by inspecting the aortic rings over a period of 6-12 days.

Angiogenesis, the sprouting of blood vessels from preexisting vasculature is associated with both natural and pathological processes. Various angiogenesis ...

Isolation and Primary Culture of Mouse Aortic Endothelial Cells

The vascular endothelium is essential to normal vascular homeostasis. Its dysfunction participates in various cardiovascular disorders. The mouse is an important model for cardiovascular disease research. This study demonstrates a simple method to isolate and culture endothelial cells from the mouse aorta without any special equipment. To isolate endothelial cells, the thoracic aorta is quickly removed from the mouse body, and the attached adipose tissue and connective tissue are removed from the aorta. The aorta is cut into 1 mm rings. Each aortic ring is opened and seeded onto a growth factor reduced matrix with the endothelium facing down. The segments are cultured in endothelial cell growth medium for about 4 days. The endothelial sprouting starts as early as day 2. The segments are then removed and the cells are cultured continually until they reach confluence. The endothelial cells are harvested using neutral proteinase and cultured in endothelial cell growth medium for another two passages before being used for experiments. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that after the second passage the majority of cells were double positive for Dil-ac-LDL uptake, Lectin binding, and CD31 staining, the typical characteristics of endothelial cells. It is suggested that cells at the second to third passages are suitable for in vitro and in vivo experiments to study the endothelial biology. Our protocol provides an effective means of identifying specific cellular and molecular mechanisms in endothelial cell physiopathology.

The vascular endothelial cells play a significant role in many important cardiovascular disorders. This article describes a simple method to isolate and expand endothelial cells from the mouse aorta without using any special equipment. Our protocol provides an effective means of identifying mechanisms in endothelial cell physiopathology.

The vascular endothelium is essential to normal vascular homeostasis. Its dysfunction participates in various cardiovascular disorders. The mouse is an ...

Induction of Right Ventricular Failure by Pulmonary Artery Constriction and Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Mice

The mechanism of right ventricular failure (RVF) requires clarification due to the uniqueness, high morbidity, high mortality, and refractory nature of RVF. Previous rat models imitating RVF progression have been described. Compared with rats, mice are more accessible, economical, and widely used in animal experiments. We developed a pulmonary artery constriction (PAC) approach which is comprised of banding the pulmonary trunk in mice to induce right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy. A special surgical latch needle was designed that allows for easier separation of the aorta and the pulmonary trunk. In our experiments, the use of this fabricated latch needle reduced the risk of arteriorrhexis and improved the surgical success rate to 90%. We used different padding needle diameters to precisely create quantitative constriction, which can induce different degrees of RV hypertrophy. We quantified the degree of constriction by evaluating the blood flow velocity of the PA, which was measured by noninvasive transthoracic echocardiography. RV function was precisely evaluated by right heart catheterization at 8 weeks after surgery. The surgical instruments made inhouse were composed of common materials using a simple process that is easy to master. Therefore, the PAC approach described here is easy to imitate using instruments made in the lab and can be widely used in other labs. This study presents a modified PAC approach that has a higher success rate than other models and an 8-week postsurgery survival rate of 97.8%. This PAC approach provides a useful technique for studying the mechanism of RVF and will enable an increased understanding of RVF.

Here, we provide a useful approach for studying the mechanism of right ventricular failure. A more convenient and efficient approach to pulmonary artery constriction is established using surgical instruments made inhouse. In addition, methods to evaluate the quality of this approach by echocardiography and catheterization are provided.

The mechanism of right ventricular failure (RVF) requires clarification due to the uniqueness, high morbidity, high mortality, and refractory nature of ...

Transverse Fracture of the Mouse Femur with Stabilizing Pin

Fracture repair is an essential function of the skeleton that cannot be reliably modeled in vitro. A mouse injury model is an efficient approach to test whether a gene, gene product or drug influences bone repair because murine bones recapitulate the stages observed during human fracture healing. When a mouse or human breaks a bone, an inflammatory response is initiated, and the periosteum, a stem cell niche surrounding the bone itself, is activated and expands. Cells residing in the periosteum then differentiate to form a vascularized soft callus. The transition from the soft callus to a hard callus occurs as the recruited skeletal progenitor cells differentiate into mineralizing cells, and the bridging of the fractured ends results in the bone union. The mineralized callus then undergoes remodeling to restore the original shape and structure of the healed bone. Fracture healing has been studied in mice using various injury models. Still, the best way to recapitulate this entire biological process is to break through the cross-section of a long bone that encompasses both cortices. This protocol describes how a stabilized, transverse femur fracture can be safely performed to assess healing in adult mice. A surgical protocol including detailed harvesting and imaging techniques to characterize the different stages of fracture healing is also provided.

This protocol describes a method to perform fractures on adult mice and monitor the healing process.

Fracture repair is an essential function of the skeleton that cannot be reliably modeled in vitro. A mouse injury model is an efficient approach to test ...

Isolation of Primary Patient-specific Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells and Semiquantitative Real-time Contraction Measurements In Vitro

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the predominant cell type in the aortic media. Their contractile machinery is important for the transmission of force in the aorta and regulates vasoconstriction and vasodilation. Mutations in genes encoding for the SMC contractile apparatus proteins are associated with aortic diseases, such as thoracic aortic aneurysms. Measuring SMC contraction in vitro is challenging, especially in a high-throughput manner, which is essential for screening patient material. Currently available methods are not suitable for this purpose. This paper presents a novel method based on electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). First, an explant protocol is described to isolate patient-specific human primary SMCs from aortic biopsies and patient-specific human primary dermal fibroblasts for the study of aortic aneurysms. Next, a detailed description of a new contraction method is given to measure the contractile response of these cells, including the subsequent analysis and suggestion for comparing different groups. This method can be used to study the contraction of adherent cells in the context of translational (cardiovascular) studies and patient and drug screening studies.

Isolation of Primary Patient-specific Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells and Semiquantitative Real-time Contraction Measurements In Vitro

This paper describes an explant culture-based method for the isolation and culturing of primary, patient-specific human aortic smooth muscle cells and dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, a novel method is presented for measuring cell contraction and subsequent analysis, which can be used to study patient-specific differences in these cells.

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the predominant cell type in the aortic media. Their contractile machinery is important for the transmission of force in ...

A Modified Technique for Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) is a frequently used surgery in research regarding heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy based on the formation of pressure overload in mouse models. The main challenge of this procedure is to clearly visualize the transverse aortic arch and precisely band the target vessel. Classical approaches perform a partial thoracotomy to expose the transverse aortic arch. However, it is an open-chest model that causes a rather large surgical trauma and requires a ventilator during the surgery. To prevent unnecessary trauma and simplify the operating procedure, the aortic arch is approached via the proximal proportion of the sternum, reaching and binding the target vessel using a small self-made retractor that contains a snare. This procedure can be conducted without entering the pleura cavity and does not need a ventilator or microsurgical operation, which leaves the mice with physiological breathing patterns, simplifies the procedure, and significantly reduces operation time. Due to the less invasive approach and less operation time, mice can undergo fewer stress reactions and recover rapidly.

The present protocol describes a modified and simplified technique with a minimally invasive transverse aortic constriction (TAC) procedure using a self-made retractor. This procedure can be conducted without a ventilator or microscope and introduces pressure overload, eventually leading to cardiac hypertrophy or heart failure.

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) is a frequently used surgery in research regarding heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy based on the formation of ...

A Calcium Phosphate-Induced Mouse Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Model

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease that occurs worldwide and is characterized by irreversible dilation of the abdominal aorta. Currently, several chemically induced murine AAA models are used, each simulating a different aspect of the pathogenesis of AAA. The calcium phosphate-induced AAA model is a rapid and cost-effective model compared to the angiotensin II- and elastase-induced AAA models. The application of CaPO4 crystals to the mouse aorta results in elastic fiber degradation, loss of smooth muscle cells, inflammation, and calcium deposition associated with aortic dilation. This article introduces a standard protocol for the CaPO4-induced AAA model. The protocol includes material preparation, the surgical application of the CaPO4&#160;to the adventitia of the infrarenal abdominal aorta, the harvesting of aortas to visualize aortic aneurysms, and histological analyses in mice.

This protocol describes a calcium phosphate-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) mouse model to study the pathological features and molecular mechanisms of AAAs.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease that occurs worldwide and is characterized by irreversible dilation of the ...

Establishing a Diaphyseal Femur Fracture Model in Mice

Bones have a significant regenerative capacity. However, fracture healing is a complex process, and depending on the severity of the lesions and the age and overall health status of the patient, failures can occur, leading to delayed union or nonunion. Due to the increasing number of fractures resulting from high-energy trauma and aging, the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to improve bone repair based on the combination of skeletal/mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and biomimetic biomaterials is urgently needed. To this end, the use of reliable animal models is fundamental to better understanding the key cellular and molecular mechanisms that determine the healing outcomes. Of all the models, the mouse is the preferred research model because it offers a wide variety of transgenic strains and reagents for experimental analysis. However, the establishment of fractures in mice may be technically challenging due to their small size. Therefore, this article aims to demonstrate the procedures for the surgical establishment of a diaphyseal femur fracture in mice, which is stabilized with an intramedullary wire and resembles the most common bone repair process, through cartilaginous callus formation.

This protocol describes a surgical procedure for the establishment of a diaphyseal fracture in the femur of mice, which is stabilized with an intramedullary wire, for fracture healing studies.

Bones have a significant regenerative capacity. However, fracture healing is a complex process, and depending on the severity of the lesions and the age ...

Improved Methods for Imaging Maize Leaf Primordia

Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

In maize (Zea mays) and other grasses (Poaceae), the leaf primordia are deeply ensheathed and rolled within the leaf whorl, making it difficult to study early leaf development. Here, we describe methods for preparing transverse sections and unrolled whole mounts of maize leaf primordia for fluorescence and confocal imaging. The first method uses a wire stripper to remove the upper portions of older leaves, exposing the tip of the leaf primordium and allowing its measurement for more accurate transverse section sampling. The second method uses clear, double-sided nano tape to unroll and mount whole-leaf primordia for imaging. We show the utility of the two methods in visualizing and analyzing fluorescent protein reporters in maize. These methods provide a solution to the challenges presented by the distinctive morphology of maize leaf primordia and will be useful for visualizing and quantifying leaf anatomical and developmental traits in maize and other grass species.

Author Spotlight: Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging  

Maize leaf primordia are deeply ensheathed and rolled, making them difficult to study. Here, we present methods for preparing transverse sections and unrolled whole mounts of maize leaf primordia for fluorescence and confocal imaging.

In maize (Zea mays) and other grasses (Poaceae), the leaf primordia are deeply ensheathed and rolled within the leaf whorl, making it difficult to study ...