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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66.6K 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

Heterotopic Heart Transplantation in Mice

The mouse heterotopic heart transplantation has been used widely since it was introduced by Drs. Corry and Russell in 1973. It is particularly valuable for studying rejection and immune response now that newer transgenic and gene knockout mice are available, and a large number of immunologic reagents have been developed. The heart transplant model is less stringent than the skin transplant models, although technically more challenging. We have developed a modified technique and have completed over 1000 successful cases of heterotopic heart transplantation in mice. When making anastomosis of the ascending aorta and abdominal aorta, two stay sutures are placed at the proximal and distal apexes of recipient abdominal aorta with the donor s ascending aorta, then using 11-0 suture for anastomosis on both side of aorta with continuing sutures. The stay sutures make the anastomosis easier and 11-0 is an ideal suture size to avoid bleeding and thrombosis.
When making anastomosis of pulmonary artery and inferior vena cava, two stay sutures are made at the proximal apex and distal apex of the recipient s inferior vena cava with the donor s pulmonary artery. The left wall of the inferior vena cava and donor s pulmonary artery is closed with continuing sutures in the inside of the inferior vena cava after, one knot with the proximal apex stay suture the right wall of the inferior vena cava and the donor s pulmonary artery are closed with continuing sutures outside the inferior vena cave with 10-0 sutures. This method is easier to perform because anastomosis is made just on the one side of the inferior vena cava and 10-0 sutures is the right size to avoid bleeding and thrombosis. In this article, we provide details of the technique to supplement the video.

The mouse heterotopic heart transplantation model has been proven by many investigators to be an important method for studying mechanisms of rejection and immune response. However, the techniques involved are still challenging. By modifying standard techniques we have had success with more than 1000 transplants.

The mouse heterotopic heart transplantation has been used widely since it was introduced by Drs. Corry and Russell in 1973. It is particularly valuable ...

Small Bowel Transplantation In Mice

Since 1990, the development of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression and improved surgical techniques, the increased array of potent immunosuppressive medications, infection prophylaxis, and suitable patient selection helped improve actuarial graft and patient survival rates for all types of intestine transplantation. Patients with irreversible intestinal failure and complications of parenteral nutrition should now be routinely considered for small intestine transplantation. However, Survival rates for small intestinal transplantation have been slow to improve compares increasingly favorably with renal, liver, heart and lung. The small bowel transplantation is still unsatisfactory compared with other organs. Further progress may depend on better understanding of immunology and physiology of the graft and can be greatly facilitated by animal models. A wider use of mouse small bowel transplantation model is needed in the study of immunology and physiology of the transplantation gut as well as efficient methods in diagnosing early rejection. However, this model is limited to use because the techniques involved is an extremely technically challenging. We have developed a modified technique. When making anastomosis of portal vein and inferior vena cava, two stay sutures are made at the proximal apex and distal apex of the recipient s inferior vena cava with the donor s portal vein. The left wall of the inferior vena cava and donor s portal vein is closed with continuing sutures in the inside of the inferior vena cava after, after one knot with the proximal apex stay suture the right wall of the inferior vena cava and the donor s portal vein are closed with continuing sutures outside the inferior vena cave with 10-0 sutures. This method is easier to perform because anastomosis is made just on the one side of the inferior vena cava and 10-0 sutures is the right size to avoid bleeding and thrombosis.  In this article, we provide details of the technique to supplement the video.

The mouse small bowel transplantation model has been recognized as an important tool to study mechanismes of immune rejection and screen new immunosuppressive drugs. However, this model is limited to use because the techniques involved is an extremely technically challenge. Now we introduce the modified technique.

Since 1990, the development of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression and improved surgical techniques, the increased array of potent immunosuppressive ...

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 ...

Ambulatory ECG Recording in Mice

Telemetric ECG recording in mice is essential to understanding the mechanisms behind arrhythmias, conduction disorders, and sudden cardiac death. Although the surface ECG is utilized for short-term measurements of waveform intervals, it is not practical for long-term studies of heart rate variability or the capture of rare episodes of arrhythmias. Implantable ECG telemeters offer the advantages of simple surgical implantation, long-term recording of electrograms in ambulatory mice, and scalability with simultaneous recordings of multiple animals. Here, we present a step-by-step guide to the implantation of telemeters for ambulatory ECG recording in mice. Careful adherence to aseptic technique is required for favorable survival results with the possibility of implantation and recording from weeks to months. Thus, implantable ECG telemetry is a valuable tool for detection of critical information on cardiac electrophysiology in ambulatory animal models such as the mouse. 

Telemetric ECG has emerged as an essential tool in evaluating animal models for cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Here, we present a stepwise guide to telemetric ECG recordings for application in long-term ambulatory ECG monitoring in mice.

Telemetric ECG recording in mice is essential to understanding the mechanisms behind arrhythmias, conduction disorders, and sudden cardiac death. Although ...

Intravenous Injections in Neonatal Mice

Intravenous injection is a clinically applicable manner to deliver therapeutics. For adult rodents and larger animals, intravenous injections are technically feasible and routine. However, some mouse models can have early onset of disease with a rapid progression that makes administration of potential therapies difficult. The temporal (or facial) vein is just anterior to the ear bud in mice and is clearly visible for the first two days after birth on either side of the head using a dissecting microscope. During this window, the temporal vein can be injected with volumes up to 50 &#956;l. The injection is safe and well tolerated by both the pups and the dams. A typical injection procedure is completed within 1-2 min, after which the pup is returned to the home cage. By the third postnatal day the vein is difficult to visualize and the injection procedure becomes technically unreliable. This technique has been used for delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, which in turn can provide almost body-wide, stable transgene expression for the life of the animal depending on the viral serotype chosen.

Animal models of pediatric disease can experience early onset and aggressive disease progression. Clinically relevant therapy delivery to young mouse models can be technically difficult. This protocol describes a non-invasive intravenous injection method for newborn mice within the first two postnatal days of life.

Intravenous injection is a clinically applicable manner to deliver therapeutics. For adult rodents and larger animals, intravenous injections are ...

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 ...

Inducing Apical Periodontitis in Mice

The mechanisms involved in local induced inflammation can be studied using several available animal models. One of these is the induction of apical periodontitis (AP). Apical periodontitis is a common pathology of an inflammatory nature in the periodontal tissues surrounding the tooth root. In order to better understand the nature and mechanism of this pathology it is advantageous to perform the procedure in mice. The induction of this odontogenic inflammation is achieved by drilling into the mouse tooth until the dental pulp is exposed. Next, the tooth pulp remains exposed to be contaminated by the natural oral flora over time, causing apical periodontitis. After this time period, the animal is sacrificed, and the tooth and the jaw bone can be analyzed in various ways. Typical analyses include micro-CT imaging (to evaluate bone resorption), histological staining, immunohistochemistry, and RNA expression. This protocol is useful for research in the field of oral biology to better understand this inflammatory process in an in vivo experimental setting with uniform conditions. The procedure requires a careful handling of the mice and the isolated jaw, and a visual demonstration of the technique is useful. All technical aspects of the procedures leading to induced apical periodontitis and its characterization in a mouse model are demonstrated.

Here, we present a protocol to locally induce apical periodontitis in mice. We show how to drill a hole in the mouse&#39;s tooth and expose its pulp, in order to cause local inflammation. Analysis methods to investigate the nature of this inflammation, such as micro-CT and histology, are also demonstrated.

The mechanisms involved in local induced inflammation can be studied using several available animal models. One of these is the induction of apical ...

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 ...

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 ...