Name: quantitative micro-ct analysis of aortopathy in a mouse model of &#946;-aminopropionitrile-induced aortic aneurysm and dissection
Uploaded: 2018-07-16T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Quantitative Micro-CT Analysis of Aortopathy in a Mouse Model of ÃŽÂ²-aminopropionitrile-induced Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection at JoVE.com

We would like to thank Mark Smith for his assistance with radiographic imaging. This work is supported by the NIH T32 Grant for Interdisciplinary Research in Cardiovascular Disease (BOA), the American Heart Association (SMC), and the NIH R35 Grant (DKS).

The protocols for animal handling were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (animal protocol number 0116024) and conducted according to AAALAC International standards.
1. Preparation of Reagents
<ol>
	<li>Heparin
	<ol>
		<li>Dilute 250 &#181;L of 1000 U/mL heparin sulfate in 50 mL of phosphate buffered saline to make a final concentration of 5 U/mL.</li>
		<li>Warm the heparinized (5 U/mL) phosphate buffered sal...

<ol>
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P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+beta-aminopropionitrile-induced+aortic+dissection+model+in+rats+by+different+administration+and+dosage.">Comparison of beta-aminopropionitrile-induced aortic dissection model in rats by different administration and dosage.</a> Vascular. 21 (5), 287-292 (2013).</li><li>Huffman, M. D., Curci, J. A., Moore, G., Kerns, D. B., Starcher, B. C., Thompson, R. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+importance+of+connective+tissue+repair+during+the+development+of+experimental+abdominal+aortic+aneurysms.">Functional importance of connective tissue repair during the development of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms.</a> Surgery. 128 (3), 429-438 (2000).</li><li>Wu, D., Shen, Y. H., Russel, L., Coselii, J. S., LeMaire, S. 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J., Carlson, D. D., Murry, C. E., Schwartz, S. M., Mahoney, W. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retrograde+Perfusion+and+Filling+of+Mouse+Coronary+Vasculature+as+Preparation+for+Micro+Computed+Tomography+Imaging.">Retrograde Perfusion and Filling of Mouse Coronary Vasculature as Preparation for Micro Computed Tomography Imaging.</a> J Vis Exp. (60), e3740 (2012).</li><li>Cortell, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Silicone+rubber+for+renal+tubular+injection.">Silicone rubber for renal tubular injection.</a> Journal of Applied Physics. 26 (1), 158-159 (1969).</li><li>Bentley, M. D., Ortiz, M. C., Ritman, E. L., Romero, J. 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X., 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=Mechanical+stretch-induced+endoplasmic+reticulum+stress,+apoptosis,+and+inflammation+contribute+to+thoracic+aortic+aneurysm+and+dissection.">Mechanical stretch-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, and inflammation contribute to thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection.</a> The Journal of Pathology. 236 (3), 373-383 (2015).</li><li>Kurihara, T., 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=Neutrophil-derived+matrix+metalloproteinase+9+triggers+acute+aortic+dissection.">Neutrophil-derived matrix metalloproteinase 9 triggers acute aortic dissection.</a> Circulation. 126 (25), 3070-3080 (2012).</li><li>Dillavou, E. D., Buck, D. G., Muluk, S. C., Makaroun, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two-dimensional+versus+three-dimensional+CT+scan+for+aortic+measurement.">Two-dimensional versus three-dimensional CT scan for aortic measurement.</a> Journal of Endovascular Therapy. 10 (3), 531-538 (2003).</li><li>Muratoglu, S. C., 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=LRP1+protects+the+vasculature+by+regulating+levels+of+connective+tissue+growth+factor+and+HtrA1.">LRP1 protects the vasculature by regulating levels of connective tissue growth factor and HtrA1.</a> Arterioclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 33, 2137-2146 (2013).</li><li>Badea, C. T., Dragova, M., Holdsworth, D. W., Johnson, G. 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Micro-CT imaging can be used to provide highly detailed and three-dimensional reconstructions of vascular pathology in animal models. Through the use of intravascular contrast-enhanced media, non-enhanced soft tissues, such as the lumen of a blood vessel, can be differentiated from those that are enhancing. While laser Doppler, microangiography, magnetic resonance angiography, histology with confocal, or two-photon microscopy may be used to assess vascular beds, they typically focus on a limited area of study and/or are ...

The incidence of aortic dissection is 3 cases per 100,000 per year1. Aortic dissection and aneurysmal diseases account for over 10,000 deaths in the United States each year, accounting for 1 - 2% of all deaths in Western countries2. Aortic dissection is initiated by a tear in the intimal layer of the vessel with the propagation of blood through the layers of the aortic wall under physiologic pressures. Elevated patient pulse pressures are associated with an increased incidence of dissection and complications. Increased wall shear stress is associated with the aortic wall expansion leading to an aneurysm formation3,4. Consequences of aortic dissection include the occlusion of blood flow to distant organs including the brain, kidneys, bowels, and limbs, the formation of chronic aneurysms, rupture, or death5,6,7.
At present, the biochemical and cellular processes involved in the initiation and progression of aortic aneurysms and dissections are still poorly understood. Reproducible animal models of aortic aneurysm and dissection are key to understanding their pathophysiology. &#946;-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) is a lysyl oxidase inhibitor, which prevents the cross-linking of elastin and collagen and has been shown to significantly alter the structure of the vessel wall extracellular matrix and its biomechanical integrity6,8. Rodents treated with BAPN have been utilized as a common animal model of aortic aneurysm and dissection9,10.
Vascular imaging modalities are instrumental in identifying vascular pathology, confirming vessel patency, and evaluating organ perfusion. Recently, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) has been utilized to study the vasculature of mice and similarly sized animals. Unlike bone, the axial imaging of blood vessels by computed tomography is limited, as intraluminal blood is inherently relatively radiolucent. When combined with intravascular contrast agents, however, micro-CT enables detailed three-dimensional reconstructions of animal vasculatures for the study of macro-anatomic vascular pathology11.
The selected contrast agent (see the Table of Materials) is a radiopaque silicone rubber that contains lead chromate and lead sulfate. Upon perfusion in the presence of a catalyst, it quickly hardens to form a cast of the vasculature with minimal alterations in the macro-anatomic architecture of the vessels, making the vasculature highly radiopaque in contrast to the background tissues when examined radiographically. This contrast agent is advantageous because it is easy to handle and avoids the tissue degradation and vessel loss due to breakage often associated with vascular cast corrosion. As it cures with minimal shrinkage12, vessels cleared of blood remain patent and allow for an accurate assessment of the animal macro-vasculature in non-survival experiments. Previous work has successfully used radiopaque silicone rubber-contrast in a variety of animal studies. Specifically, applicability in visualizing the coronary, glomerular, placental, and cerebral circulations11,12,13,14,15 has been shown. In this paper, we detail the methodology of open left-ventricular puncture for the intravascular perfusion of lead-based radiopaque silicone rubber to quantitatively characterize BAPN-induced aortic pathology in a mouse model by micro-CT.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Microfil</td>
			<td>Flow Tech, Inc</td>
			<td>MV-122</td>
			<td>We use yellow, a different color can be ordered as desired. Kit includes MV-Compound, MV-Diluent, and MV-Curing Agent.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heparin (1000 U/mL)</td>
			<td>Sagent Pharmaceuticals</td>
			<td>25021-400-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate buffered saline</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>21-031-CV</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>Vet One, MWI</td>
			<td>502017</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3-Aminopropionitrile fumarate salt</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A3134</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Single syringe pump</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-831-200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>27-gauge scalp vein set needle</td>
			<td>Exel Int</td>
			<td>26709</td>
			<td>27G x 3/4&#34;, 12&#34; tube</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inveon Micro-CT scanner</td>
			<td>Siemens Medical Solutions</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Osirix MD</td>
			<td>Pimxmeo SARL</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Version 8.0.2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inveon Research Workplace</td>
			<td>Siemens Medical Solutions</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Version 4.2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rodent Chow</td>
			<td>Harlan Teklad</td>
			<td>2018sx</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

quantitative micro-ct analysis of aortopathy in a mouse model of &#946;-aminopropionitrile-induced aortic aneurysm and dissection

Aortic aneurysm and dissection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the population and can be highly lethal. While animal models of aortic disease exist, in vivo imaging of the vasculature has been limited. In recent years, micro-computerized tomography (micro-CT) has emerged as a preferred modality for imaging both large and small vessels both in vivo and ex vivo. In conjunction with a method of vascular casting, we have successfully used micro-CT to characterize the frequency and distribution of aortic pathology in &#946;-aminopropionitrile-treated C57/Bl6 mice. Technical limitations of this method include variations in the quality of the perfusion introduced by poor animal preparation, the application of proper methodologies for vessel size quantification, and the non-survivability of this procedure. This article details a methodology for the intravascular perfusion of a lead-based radiopaque silicone rubber for the quantitative characterization of aortopathy in a mouse model of aneurysm and dissection. In addition to visualizing aortic pathology, this method may be used for examining other vascular beds in vivo or vascular beds removed post-mortem.

In order to evaluate this protocol, 20 male adult mice, of mixed background as previously described19 and of 20 - 30 weeks of age, with or without BAPN treatment, were perfused with a lead-based radiopaque silicone rubber (see the Table of Materials) using the protocol detailed above. They underwent micro-CT scanning on the following day (Figure 1 and Figure 2). There were...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Quantitative Micro-CT Analysis of Aortopathy in a Mouse Model of ÃŽÂ²-aminopropionitrile-induced Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection at JoVE.com

Quantitative Micro-CT Analysis of Aortopathy in a Mouse Model of ÃƒÆ’Ã…Â½Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â²-aminopropionitrile-induced Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection

This article describes a detailed methodology of using a radiopaque lead-based silicone rubber to perfuse the murine vasculature for aortic diameter quantification in a mouse model of aortic aneurysm and dissection.

Quantitative Micro-CT Analysis of Aortopathy in a Mouse Model of &#946;-aminopropionitrile-induced Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection

Aortic aneurysm and dissection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the population and can be highly lethal. While animal models of ...

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