A Mouse Model of Vascularized Heterotopic Spleen Transplantation

Take an anesthetized recipient mouse for spleen transplantation.

Make a midline incision, exposing the abdominal cavity, and displace the intestine to locate the spleen.

Ligate the splenic artery and vein to minimize blood loss and remove the spleen.

Externalize the intestine and apply saline-soaked gauze to keep the exposed tissue moistened. Locate the inferior vena cava, or IVC, and the adjacent infrarenal abdominal aorta, or IAA.

Ligate the branches of the IVC and IAA. Clamp the vessels to interrupt blood flow and create openings for connecting the donor's spleen.

Flush the vessels with heparinized saline to remove blood and prevent clot formation.

Heterotopically position the donor's spleen and connect its artery to the IAA opening and the vein to the IVC opening.

Remove the clamps to allow blood flow to the spleen and close the incision.

Subcutaneously inject warm saline to rehydrate the mouse and monitor its recovery. Identify living donor spleen immune cells in the mouse to confirm successful transplantation.