Name: intravital microscopy and thrombus induction in the earlobe of a hairless mouse
Uploaded: 2017-04-02T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Intravital Microscopy and Thrombus Induction in the Earlobe of a Hairless Mouse at JoVE.com

The authors have no acknowledgements.

All in vivo experiments (7221.3-1-006/15) were conducted in accordance with the German legislation on the protection of animals and the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council).
1. General Keeping of the Animals
<ol>
	<li>Perform the experiments with male SKH1-Hrhr mice aged 4 to 6 weeks. Use animals with a weight between 20 and 25 g.</li>
	<li>Keep the animals in a pathogen-free facility an...

<ol>
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S., 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=Platelet+aggregation+induced+in+the+hamster+cheek+pouch+by+a+photochemical+process+with+excited+fluorescein+isothiocyanate-dextran.">Platelet aggregation induced in the hamster cheek pouch by a photochemical process with excited fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran.</a> Microvasc Res. 26 (2), 238-249 (1983).</li><li>Rumbaut, R. E., Slaff, D. W., Burns, A. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microvascular+thrombosis+models+in+venules+and+arterioles+in+vivo.">Microvascular thrombosis models in venules and arterioles in vivo.</a> Microcirculation. 12 (3), 259-274 (2005).</li><li>Lee, W. M., Lee, K. 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D., 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=Laser-induced+noninvasive+vascular+injury+models+in+mice+generate+platelet-+and+coagulation-dependent+thrombi.">Laser-induced noninvasive vascular injury models in mice generate platelet- and coagulation-dependent thrombi.</a> Am J Pathol. 158 (5), 1613-1622 (2001).</li><li>Agero, U., 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=Effect+of+mutalysin+II+on+vascular+recanalization+after+thrombosis+induction+in+the+ear+of+the+hairless+mice+model.">Effect of mutalysin II on vascular recanalization after thrombosis induction in the ear of the hairless mice model.</a> Toxicon. 50 (5), 698-706 (2007).</li><li>Menger, M. 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There are several critical steps for the successful thrombus induction in the earlobe of SKH1-Hrhr mice. For troubleshooting, the respective steps of the protocol are indicated in parenthesis.
Examination conditions are ideal in young animals at the age of 4 - 6 weeks and with low cornification of the epidermis. In older animals, the quality of visualization of the vessels is worse and less comparable due to the higher distance between the skin surface and the target vessels (step 1...

The purpose of the present article is to describe the technique of intravital microscopy applied to the auricle of the hairless mouse for the direct observation and analysis of microcirculation, thrombus formation, and thrombus evolution. With an incidence rate of 1 in 1,000, venous thrombosis is still a common cause of morbidity. Although diagnostics, prevention strategies, and therapies have been developed in recent years, one-third of venous thrombosis manifests as a pulmonary embolism1. Arterial thrombosis plays a critical role in cardiovascular diseases, which are the most common cause of death in industrial nations. Arterial thrombosis based on the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques is involved in heart attacks, mesenteric infarctions, and apoplexy. Every surgery exposes subendothelial structures to blood components, changes the dynamics of blood flow, and immobilizes the patient. In endoprosthetic surgery of the lower limb, organ transplantation and flap surgery thrombosis are frequent causes of complications. Microvascular thrombosis in particular frequently causes irreversible damage, due to the lack of clinical symptoms. Likewise, microvascular thrombosis plays a crucial rule in several diseases, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, antiphospholipid syndrome, and chronic venous insufficiency, among others.
Several new drugs for the therapy and prevention of thrombosis were developed in recent years, but antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants still have side effects, lack antagonists, and feature long duration effects. These deficiencies lead to problems in emergency medical care. Thus, more research is needed to uncover the complex processes that occur during thrombosis, which can hardly be simulated in vitro.
The hairless SKH1-Hrhr mouse was discovered 1926 in a zoo in London. Due to a gene defect on chromosome 14, the animal loses its fur after postnatal day 10. This makes the well-vascularized auricle accessible to intravital microscopy of the vessels. The average thickness of the ear is 300 &#181;m. It consists of two layers of dermis, which are separated by cartilage. On the convex dorsal side of the cartilage, 3 vascular bundles enter the earlobe. Apical vascular arcs and basal shunts connect the three bundles. The venules have diameters between 200 &#181;m (basal) and 10 &#181;m (apical). Close-meshed capillaries surround the empty hair follicles2. The anatomy of the hairless SKH1-Hrhr mouse makes the auricle a powerful and cost-effective model for thrombosis research.

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intravital microscopy and thrombus induction in the earlobe of a hairless mouse

Thrombotic complications of vascular diseases are one leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrial nations. Due to the complex interactions between cellular and non-cellular blood components during thrombus formation, reliable studies of the physiology and pathophysiology of thrombosis can only be performed in vivo. Therefore, this article presents an ear model in hairless mice and focuses on the in vivo analysis of microcirculation, thrombus formation, and thrombus evolution. By using intravital fluorescence microscopy and the intravenous (iv) application of the respective fluorescent dyes, a repetitive analysis of microcirculation in the auricle can easily be performed, without the need for surgical preparation. Furthermore, this model can be adapted for in vivo studies of different issues, including wound healing, reperfusion injury, or angiogenesis. In summary, the ear of hairless mice is an ideal model for the in vivo study of skin microcirculation in physiological or pathophysiological conditions and for the evaluation of its reaction to different systemic or topical treatments.

Effects of Cannabinoid Treatment on Thrombogenesis
Upon injection of 0.05 mL of FITC-dextran, phototoxic thrombus induction leads to an endothelial lesion and the formation of a parietal platelet plug (Figures 2 and 3). In the present study, thrombus induction after the ip injection of cannabinoids (5 mg/kg bw) or vehicle resulted in a thrombotic vessel occlusion in all venules (Figure 4</s...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Intravital Microscopy and Thrombus Induction in the Earlobe of a Hairless Mouse at JoVE.com

Intravital Microscopy and Thrombus Induction in the Earlobe of a Hairless Mouse

The ear model of the hairless SKH1-Hrhr mouse enables intravital fluorescence microscopy of microcirculation and phototoxic thrombus induction without prior surgical preparation in the examined microvascular bed. Therefore, the ear of the hairless mouse is an excellent in vivo model to study the complex interactions during microvascular thrombus formation, thrombus evolution, and thrombolysis.

Thrombotic complications of vascular diseases are one leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrial nations. Due to the complex interactions ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Technical Aspects of the Mouse Aortocaval Fistula

Technical aspects of creating an arteriovenous fistula in the mouse are discussed. Under general anesthesia, an abdominal incision is made, and the aorta ...

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model

Fairness of skin, UV sensitivity and skin cancer  risk all correlate with the physiologic function of the melanocortin 1  receptor, a Gs-coupled signaling ...

An Orthotopic Glioblastoma Mouse Model Maintaining Brain Parenchymal Physical Constraints and Suitable for Intravital Two-photon Microscopy

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain tumors with no curative treatments available to date.
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Intravital Video Microscopy Measurements of Retinal Blood Flow in Mice

Alterations in retinal blood flow can contribute to, or be a consequence of, ocular disease and visual dysfunction. Therefore, quantitation of altered ...

Induction of Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Mice: The "Wire-Injury" Model

Atherosclerosis is a proliferative fibro-inflammatory disease developing in the arterial wall, inducing a deficient blood flow or a lack of blood flow. ...

Combined Intravital Microscopy and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography of the Mouse Hindlimb to Study Insulin-induced Vasodilation and Muscle Perfusion

It has been demonstrated that insulin's vascular actions contribute to regulation of insulin sensitivity. Insulin's effects on muscle perfusion regulate ...

Inducing Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in the Mouse Ear Skin for Intravital Multiphoton Imaging of Immune Responses

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) occurs when there is transient hypoxia due to the obstruction of blood flow (ischemia) followed by a subsequent ...

Intravital Microscopy of Monocyte Homing and Tumor-Related Angiogenesis in a Murine Model of Peripheral Arterial Disease

The therapeutic goal for peripheral arterial disease and ischemic heart disease is to increase blood flow to ischemic areas caused by hemodynamic ...

Induction and Micro-CT Imaging of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations in Mouse Model

Mutations in the CCM1 (aka KRIT1), CCM2, or CCM3 (aka PDCD10) gene cause cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) in humans. Mouse models of CCM disease have ...

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques

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