Name: a doxorubicin-induced murine model of dilated cardiomyopathy in vivo
Uploaded: 2020-05-16T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Doxorubicin-Induced Murine Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Vivo at JoVE.com

This work was supported by Key Project Medical Science and Technology Development Foundation, Nanjing Department of Health (No.YKK16098).

Animal experiments were approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital.
1. Preparation of the reagents and animals
<ol>
	<li>Dissolve doxorubicin hydrochloride (Pfizer, USA) in sterilized water. Vortex to obtain a Dox solution of 1 mg/mL and keep at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Use C57BL/6 mice (8&#8211;10 weeks old; 25&#8211;30 g weight). For this study, mice were purchased from the Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University and kept in the an...

<ol>
	<li>Weintraub, R. G., Semsarian, C., MacDonald, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dilated+cardiomyopathy.">Dilated cardiomyopathy.</a> Lancet. 390 (10092), 400-414 (2017).</li><li>Ichihara, 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=Attenuation+of+oxidative+stress+and+cardiac+dysfunction+by+bisoprolol+in+an+animal+model+of+dilated+cardiomyopathy.">Attenuation of oxidative stress and cardiac dysfunction by bisoprolol in an animal model of dilated cardiomyopathy.</a> Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 350 (1), 105-113 (2006).</li><li>Fountoulakis, M., 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=Alterations+in+the+heart+mitochondrial+proteome+in+a+desmin+null+heart+failure+model.">Alterations in the heart mitochondrial proteome in a desmin null heart failure model.</a> Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 38 (3), 461-474 (2005).</li><li>Fairweather, D., Rose, N. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Coxsackievirus-induced+myocarditis+in+mice:+a+model+of+autoimmune+disease+for+studying+immunotoxicity.">Coxsackievirus-induced myocarditis in mice: a model of autoimmune disease for studying immunotoxicity.</a> Methods. 41 (1), 118-122 (2007).</li><li>Wang, Z. H., 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=A+therapeutic+anti-CD4+monoclonal+antibody+inhibits+T+cell+receptor+signal+transduction+in+mouse+autoimmune+cardiomyopathy.">A therapeutic anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody inhibits T cell receptor signal transduction in mouse autoimmune cardiomyopathy.</a> Chinese Medical Journal. 120 (15), 1319-1325 (2007).</li><li>Riad, A., 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=Toll-like+receptor-4+deficiency+attenuates+doxorubicin-induced+cardiomyopathy+in+mice.">Toll-like receptor-4 deficiency attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in mice.</a> European Journal of Heart Failure. 10 (3), 233-243 (2008).</li><li>Kankeu, C., Clarke, K., Passante, E., Huber, H. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Doxorubicin-induced+chronic+dilated+cardiomyopathy-the+apoptosis+hypothesis+revisited.">Doxorubicin-induced chronic dilated cardiomyopathy-the apoptosis hypothesis revisited.</a> Journal of Molecular Medicine. 95 (3), 239-248 (2017).</li><li>Zhao, L., 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=MicroRNA-140-5p+aggravates+doxorubicin-induced+cardiotoxicity+by+promoting+myocardial+oxidative+stress+via+targeting+Nrf2+and+Sirt2.">MicroRNA-140-5p aggravates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by promoting myocardial oxidative stress via targeting Nrf2 and Sirt2.</a> Redox Biology. 15, 284-296 (2018).</li><li>O'Connell, J. L., 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=Short-term+and+long-term+models+of+doxorubicin-induced+cardiomyopathy+in+rats:+A+comparison+of+functional+and+histopathological+changes.">Short-term and long-term models of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats: A comparison of functional and histopathological changes.</a> Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology. 69 (4), 213-219 (2017).</li><li>Yuan, Y. P., 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=CTRP3+protected+against+doxorubicin-induced+cardiac+dysfunction,+inflammation+and+cell+death+via+activation+of+Sirt1.">CTRP3 protected against doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction, inflammation and cell death via activation of Sirt1.</a> Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 114, 38-47 (2018).</li><li>Sun, Z., 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=The+TGF-beta+pathway+mediates+doxorubicin+effects+on+cardiac+endothelial+cells.">The TGF-beta pathway mediates doxorubicin effects on cardiac endothelial cells.</a> Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 90, 129-138 (2016).</li><li>Minotti, G., Menna, P., Salvatorelli, E., Cairo, G., Gianni, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anthracyclines:+molecular+advances+and+pharmacologic+developments+in+antitumor+activity+and+cardiotoxicity.">Anthracyclines: molecular advances and pharmacologic developments in antitumor activity and cardiotoxicity.</a> Pharmacological Reviews. 56 (2), 185-229 (2004).</li><li>Vejpongsa, P., Yeh, E. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prevention+of+anthracycline-induced+cardiotoxicity:+challenges+and+opportunities.">Prevention of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity: challenges and opportunities.</a> Journal of The American College of Cardiology. 64 (9), 938-945 (2014).</li><li>Renu, K., V, G. A., P, B. T., Arunachalam, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+mechanism+of+doxorubicin-induced+cardiomyopathy+-+An+update.">Molecular mechanism of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy - An update.</a> European Journal of Pharmacology. 818, 241-253 (2018).</li></ol>

Dox is a nonspecific periodic antitumor chemotherapy drug commonly used in clinical practice12. Its main side effect is cardiotoxicity, characterized by cardiomyopathy and subsequent heart failure13. The underlying mechanism includes damage of myocardial lipid peroxidation, inhibition of myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity, and activation of the myocardial local renin-angiotensin system, resulting in increased AT II production and intracellular...

An erratum was issued for:&#160;<a href="https://www.jove.com/t/61158">A Doxorubicin-Induced Murine Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Vivo</a>. A figure was updated.
Figure 1 was updated from:
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/61158/61158fig1v2.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of a Dox-induced dilated cardiomyopathy. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/61158/61158fig1v2large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
to:
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/61158/61158fig1v5.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of a Dox-induced dilated cardiomyopathy. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/61158/61158fig1v5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

An erratum was issued for:&#160;<a href="https://www.jove.com/t/61158">A Doxorubicin-Induced Murine Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Vivo</a>. A figure was updated.

Erratum: A Doxorubicin-Induced Murine Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Vivo

One of the most common causes of heart failure, DCM is characterized by ventricular dilatation and decreased cardiac function and is the most common reason for heart transplantation worldwide1. In order to further investigate its pathogenesis and find effective treatments, access to mature animal models is especially important. The purpose of the described experiments is to establish a stable mouse model of DCM that resembles human DCM.
Due to the complex pathogenesis of DCM, there are many different methods to make corresponding animal models. Spontaneous DCM models2 are relatively stable, but they are expensive and not easily available. Genetically modified animal models3 are not well-established and require more experimental use. DCM animal models induced by viral infection4 or autoimmune defects5 are easy to obtain, but they are not wholly representative of DCM. Models associated with myocardial toxicity include alcohol-induced DCM models and Dox-induced DCM animal models.
The Dox-induced cardiomyopathy model is obtained by intraperitoneal injection of Dox6. The model exploits the most severe chronic side effect of Dox: After Dox exposure, patients develop late onset DCM symptoms with clinical uniformity7. Dox-induced oxidative stress8 and mitochondrial damage9, which lead to cardiomyocyte apoptosis, are symptoms in the pathogenesis of DCM. There are acute and chronic Dox treatment models: a single high dose of Dox (15 mg/kg) induces a short-term model for cardiomyopathy10, while repetitive low-dose Dox injections (six&#160;weekly, 3&#160;mg/kg) induce a long-term model for cardiomyopathy11. Based on the presented study, wild type mice intraperitoneally injected once a week for a month at a dose of 5 mg/kg display morphology and histology of the heart consistent with the characteristics of DCM by the end of the treatment, providing an ideal way to establish a DCM model.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>4% paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>servicebio</td>
			<td>CAS30525-89-4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C57BL/6 mice</td>
			<td>Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University</td>
			<td>\</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Doxorubicin hydrochloride</td>
			<td>Pfizer</td>
			<td>CAS25316-40-9</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>echocardiography</td>
			<td>Visualsonics</td>
			<td>\</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hematoxylin and Eosin staining kit</td>
			<td>Solarbio</td>
			<td>G1120</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Masson staining kit</td>
			<td>Solarbio</td>
			<td>G1343</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>phosphate buffer solution</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P5368</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>potassium chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>CAS7447-40-7</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sterilized syringe</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>SLGP033RB</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a doxorubicin-induced murine model of dilated cardiomyopathy in vivo

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) refers to a spectrum of heterogeneous myocardial disorders characterized by ventricular dilation and depressed cardiac performance in the absence of hypertension, valvular, congenital, or ischemic heart diseases, and which may be related to infection, autoimmune or metabolic abnormalities, or family inheritance. It can progress into congestive heart failure with a poor prognosis. Doxorubicin (Dox) is widely employed as a chemotherapeutic drug, but its use is limited because it causes DCM-like changes of the myocardium. Its myocardial toxicity is attributed to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. A model of DCM exploiting these Dox-induced DCM symptoms has not been established.

Cardiac function 
Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by progressive ventricular dilatation and contractile dysfunction. Figure 2 shows representative echocardiographic images of the two groups. Dox-treated mice showed markedly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening (Figure 3A,B). The LV diameter also increased in both the diastolic and systolic phases (<strong class="xfig"...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Doxorubicin-Induced Murine Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Vivo at JoVE.com

A Doxorubicin-Induced Murine Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Vivo

Described is a protocol to establish a Doxorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) model in mice via long-term intraperitoneal injection of Doxorubicin.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) refers to a spectrum of heterogeneous myocardial disorders characterized by ventricular dilation and depressed cardiac ...

How a Doxorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy model is a stable, reliable, and economical.This method will contribute to varying the pathogenesis on dilated cardiomyopathy and to exploring new drugs.Dissolve doxorubicin hydrochloride in sterilized water at a concentration of one milligram per milliliter.Vortex the solution and store it at four degrees Celsius.Maintain eight to 10-week-old mice in pathogen-free mouse cages with a 12-hour light-dark cycle at a constant temperature of 23 degrees Celsius.And provide as much food and water as needed.Before beginning treatment, randomize mice into a control group and a dox group.For mice in the dox group, use one milliliter sterilized syringes to inject the dox solution intraperitoneally.Administer a dose of five milligrams per kilogram of body weight intraperitoneally once per week.Perform the injection in the lower left or right quadrant of the abdomen, taking care of to avoid the urinary bladder and other abdominal organs.For four weeks measure the body weight of the mice weekly and adjust the injection dose accordingly each week.After confirming anesthesia, use depilatory cream to carefully remove the chest fur.After performing echocardiography, use the M-mode tracings to measure the average LV end

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Murine Model of Wound Healing

Wound healing and repair are the most complex biological processes that occur in human life. After injury, multiple biological pathways become activated. Impaired wound healing, which occurs in diabetic patients for example, can lead to severe unfavorable outcomes such as amputation. There is, therefore, an increasing impetus to develop novel agents that promote wound repair. The testing of these has been limited to large animal models such as swine, which are often impractical. Mice represent the ideal preclinical model, as they are economical and amenable to genetic manipulation, which allows for mechanistic investigation. However, wound healing in a mouse is fundamentally different to that of humans as it primarily occurs via contraction. Our murine model overcomes this by incorporating a splint around the wound. By splinting the wound, the repair process is then dependent on epithelialization, cellular proliferation and angiogenesis, which closely mirror the biological processes of human wound healing. Whilst requiring consistency and care, this murine model does not involve complicated surgical techniques and allows for the robust testing of promising agents that may, for example, promote angiogenesis or inhibit inflammation. Furthermore, each mouse acts as its own control as two wounds are prepared, enabling the application of both the test compound and the vehicle control on the same animal. In conclusion, we demonstrate a practical, easy-to-learn, and robust model of wound healing, which is comparable to that of humans.

A murine model of cutaneous wound healing that can be used to assess therapeutic compounds in physiological and pathophysiological settings.

Wound healing and repair are the most complex biological processes that occur in human life. After injury, multiple biological pathways become activated. ...

A Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

In this video publication a standardized mouse model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is presented. Bleeding is induced by endovascular Circle of Willis perforation (CWp) and proven by intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Thereby a homogenous blood distribution in subarachnoid spaces surrounding the arterial circulation and cerebellar fissures is achieved. Animal physiology is maintained by intubation, mechanical ventilation, and continuous on-line monitoring of various physiological and cardiovascular parameters: body temperature, systemic blood pressure, heart rate, and hemoglobin saturation. Thereby the cerebral perfusion pressure can be tightly monitored resulting in a less variable volume of extravasated blood. This allows a better standardization of endovascular filament perforation in mice and makes the whole model highly reproducible. Thus it is readily available for pharmacological and pathophysiological studies in wild type and genetically altered mice.

A standardized mouse model of subarachnoid hemorrhage by intraluminal Circle of Willis perforation is described. Vessel perforation and subarachnoid bleeding are monitored by intracranial pressure monitoring. In addition various vital parameters are recorded and controlled to maintain physiologic conditions.

In this video publication a standardized mouse model of subarachnoid  hemorrhage (SAH) is presented. Bleeding is induced by endovascular Circle of  Willis ...

A Preclinical Murine Model of Hepatic Metastases

Numerous murine models have been developed to study human cancers and advance the understanding of cancer treatment and development. Here, a preclinical, murine pancreatic tumor model of hepatic metastases via a hemispleen injection of syngeneic murine pancreatic tumor cells is described. This model mimics many of the clinical conditions in patients with metastatic disease to the liver. Mice consistently develop metastases in the liver allowing for investigation of the metastatic process, experimental therapy testing, and tumor immunology research.

A preclinical, murine model of hepatic metastases performed via a hemispleen injection technique.

Numerous murine models have been developed to study human cancers and advance the understanding of cancer treatment and development. Here, a preclinical, ...

Depletion of Mouse Cells from Human Tumor Xenografts Significantly Improves Downstream Analysis of Target Cells

The use of in vitro cell line models for cancer research has been a useful tool. However, it has been shown that these models fail to reliably mimic patient tumors in different assays1. Human tumor xenografts represent the gold standard with respect to tumor biology, drug discovery, and metastasis research 2-4. Tumor xenografts can be derived from different types of material like tumor cell lines, tumor tissue from primary patient tumors4 or serially transplanted tumors. When propagated in vivo, xenografted tissue is infiltrated and vascularized by cells of mouse origin. Multiple factors such as the tumor entity, the origin of xenografted material, growth rate and region of transplantation influence the composition and the amount of mouse cells present in tumor xenografts. However, even when these factors are kept constant, the degree of mouse cell contamination is highly variable.
Contaminating mouse cells significantly impair downstream analyses of human tumor xenografts. As mouse fibroblasts show high plating efficacies and proliferation rates, they tend to overgrow cultures of human tumor cells, especially slowly proliferating subpopulations. Mouse cell derived DNA, mRNA, and protein components can bias downstream gene expression analysis, next-generation sequencing, as well as proteome analysis 5. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a fast and easy method to isolate untouched human tumor cells from xenografted tumor tissue. This procedure is based on the comprehensive depletion of cells of mouse origin by combining automated tissue dissociation with the benchtop tissue dissociator and magnetic cell sorting. Here, we demonstrate that human target cells can be can be obtained with purities higher than 96% within less than 20 min independent of the tumor type.

Human tumor xenografts are vascularized and infiltrated by cells of mouse origin during the growth phase in vivo. To circumvent the bias caused by these contaminating cells during downstream analysis, we developed a method allowing for comprehensive depletion of all mouse cells by magnetic cell sorting.

The use of in vitro cell line models for cancer research has been a useful tool. However, it has been shown that these models fail to reliably mimic ...

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine

A stable and reliable model of chronic heart failure is required for many experiments to understand hemodynamics or to test effects of new treatment methods. Here, we present such a model by tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, which can be produced by rapid cardiac pacing in swine.
A single pacing lead is introduced transvenously into fully anaesthetized healthy swine, to the apex of the right ventricle, and fixated. Its other end is then tunneled dorsally to the paravertebral region. There, it is connected to an in-house modified heart pacemaker unit that is then implanted in a subcutaneous pocket. 
After 4 - 8 weeks of rapid ventricular pacing at rates of 200 - 240 beats/min, physical examination revealed signs of severe heart failure - tachypnea, spontaneous sinus tachycardia, and fatigue. Echocardiography and X-ray showed dilation of all heart chambers, effusions, and severe systolic dysfunction. These findings correspond well to decompensated dilated cardiomyopathy and are also preserved after the cessation of pacing.
This model of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy can be used for studying the pathophysiology of progressive chronic heart failure, especially hemodynamic changes caused by new treatment modalities like mechanical circulatory supports. This methodology is easy to perform and the results are robust and reproducible.

Here, we present a protocol to produce tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in swine. This model represents a potent way to study the hemodynamics of progressive chronic heart failure and the effects of applied treatment.

A stable and reliable model of chronic heart failure is required for many experiments to understand hemodynamics or to test effects of new treatment ...

A Doxorubicin-induced Cardiomyopathy Model in Adult Zebrafish

The genetically accessible adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been increasingly used as a vertebrate model for understanding human diseases such as cardiomyopathy. Because of its convenience and amenability to high throughput genetic manipulations, the generation of acquired cardiomyopathy models, such as the doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC) model in adult zebrafish, is opening the doors to new research avenues, including discovering cardiomyopathy modifiers via forward genetic screening. Different from the embryonic zebrafish DIC model, both initial acute and later chronic phases of cardiomyopathy can be determined in the adult zebrafish DIC model, enabling the study of stage-dependent signaling mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. However, variable results can be obtained with the current model, even in the hands of experienced investigators. To facilitate future implementation of the DIC model, we present a detailed protocol on how to generate this DIC model in adult zebrafish and describe two alternative ways of intraperitoneal (IP) injection. We further discuss options on how to reduce variations to obtain reliable results and provide suggestions on how to appropriately interpret the results.

A method to generate a doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy model in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) is described here. Two alternative ways of intraperitoneal injection are presented and conditions to reduce variations among different experimental groups are discussed.

The genetically accessible adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been increasingly used as a vertebrate model for understanding human diseases such as ...

Isometric Contractility Measurement of the Mouse Mesenteric Artery Using Wire Myography

The wire myograph technique is used to assess the contractility of vascular smooth muscles in response to depolarization, GPCR agonists/inhibitors and drugs. It is widely used in many studies on the physiological functions of vascular smooth muscle, the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as hypertension, and the development of smooth muscle relaxant drugs. The mouse is a widely used model animal with a large pool of disease models and genetically modified strains. We introduced this method to measure the isometric contraction of mouse mesenteric artery in detail. A 1.4-mm segment of mouse mesenteric resistance artery was isolated and mounted on a myograph chamber by passing two steel wires through its lumen. After equilibration and normalization steps, the vessel segment was potentiated by a high-K+ solution twice prior to the contraction assay. As an example of the application of this method in drug development, we measured the relaxant effect of a novel natural substance, neoliensinine, isolated from a Chinese herb, embryos of the lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) on mouse mesenteric arteries. The vessel segments mounted on the myograph chamber were stimulated with a high-K+ solution. When the force tension reached a stable sustained phase, cumulative doses of neoliensinine were added to the chamber. We found that neoliensinine had a dose-dependent relaxant effect on smooth muscle contraction, thus suggesting that it bears potential activity against hypertension. In addition, as the vessel segment can survive at least 4 hours after mounting and maintain contractility induced by the high-K+ solution for many times, we suggest that the wire myograph system may be used for the time-consuming process of drug screening.

The wire myograph technique is used to investigate vascular smooth muscle functions and screen new drugs. We report a detailed protocol for measuring the isometric contractility of the mouse mesenteric artery and for screening new relaxants of vascular smooth muscle.

The wire myograph technique is used to assess the contractility of vascular smooth muscles in response to depolarization, GPCR agonists/inhibitors and ...

Assessing Therapeutic Angiogenesis in a Murine Model of Hindlimb Ischemia

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a serious condition that entails a high risk of lower limb amputation. Despite revascularization being the gold-standard therapy, a considerable number of CLI patients are not suited for either surgical or endovascular revascularization. Angiogenic therapies are emerging as an option for these patients but are currently still under investigation. Before application in humans, those therapies must be tested in animal models and its mechanisms must be clearly understood. An animal model of hindlimb ischemia (HLI) has been developed by the ligation and excision of the distal external iliac and femoral arteries and veins in mice. A comprehensive panel of tests was assembled to assess the effects of ischemia and putative angiogenic therapies at functional, histologic and molecular levels. Laser Doppler was used for the flow measurement and functional assessment of perfusion. Tissue response was evaluated by the analysis of capillary density after staining with the anti-CD31 antibody on histological sections of gastrocnemius muscle and by measurement of collateral vessel density after diaphonization. Expression of angiogenic genes was quantified by RT-PCR targeting selected angiogenic factors exclusively in endothelial cells (ECs) after laser capture microdissection from mice gastrocnemius muscles. These methods were sensitive in identifying differences between ischemic and non-ischemic limbs and between treated and non-treated limbs. This protocol provides a reproducible model of CLI and a framework for testing angiogenic therapies.

Here, a critical hindlimb ischemia experimental model is presented followed by a battery of functional, histologic and molecular tests&#160;to assess the effectiveness of angiogenic therapies.&#8203;

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a serious condition that entails a high risk of lower limb amputation. Despite revascularization being the gold-standard ...

In Vivo Mouse Model of Spinal Implant Infection

Spine implant infections portend poor outcomes as diagnosis is challenging and surgical eradication is at odds with mechanical spinal stability. The purpose of this method is to describe a novel mouse model of spinal implant infection (SII) that was created to provide an inexpensive, rapid, and accurate in vivo tool to test potential therapeutics and treatment strategies for spinal implant infections.
In this method, we present a model of posterior-approach spinal surgery in which a stainless-steel k-wire is transfixed into the L4 spinous process of 12-week old C57BL/6J wild-type mice and inoculated with 1 x 103 CFU of a bioluminescent strain of Staphylococcus aureus Xen36 bacteria. Mice are then longitudinally imaged for bioluminescence in vivo on post-operative days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, and 35. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) signals from a standardized field of view are quantified to measure in vivo bacterial burden.
To quantify bacteria adhering to implants and peri-implant tissue, mice are euthanized and the implant and surrounding soft tissue are harvested. Bacteria are detached from the implant by sonication, cultured overnight and then colony forming units (CFUs) are counted. The results acquired from this method include longitudinal bacterial counts as measured by in vivo S. aureus bioluminescence (mean maximum flux) and CFU counts following euthanasia.
While prior animal models of instrumented spine infection have involved invasive, ex vivo tissue analysis, the mouse model of SII presented in this paper leverages noninvasive, real time in vivo optical imaging of bioluminescent bacteria to replace static tissue study. Applications of the model are broad and may include utilizing alternative bioluminescent bacterial strains, incorporating other types of genetically engineered mice to contemporaneously study host immune response, and evaluating current or investigating new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities such as antibiotics or implant coatings.

The protocol describes a novel in vivo mouse model of spinal implant infection where a stainless-steel k-wire implant is infected with bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus Xen36. Bacterial burden is monitored longitudinally with bioluminescent imaging and confirmed with colony forming unit counts after euthanasia.

Spine implant infections portend poor outcomes as diagnosis is challenging and surgical eradication is at odds with mechanical spinal stability. The ...

Murine Precision-Cut Liver Slices as an Ex Vivo Model of Liver Biology

Understanding the mechanisms of liver injury, hepatic fibrosis, and cirrhosis that underlie chronic liver diseases (i.e., viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic liver disease, and liver cancer) requires experimental manipulation of animal models and in vitro cell cultures. Both techniques have limitations, such as the requirement of large numbers of animals for in vivo manipulation. However, in vitro cell cultures do not reproduce the structure and function of the multicellular hepatic environment. The use of precision-cut liver slices is a technique in which uniform slices of viable mouse liver are maintained in laboratory tissue culture for experimental manipulation. This technique occupies an experimental niche that exists between animal studies and in vitro cell culture methods. The presented protocol describes a straightforward and reliable method to isolate and culture precision-cut liver slices from mice. As an application of this technique, ex vivo liver slices are treated with bile acids to simulate cholestatic liver injury and ultimately assess the mechanisms of hepatic fibrogenesis.

This protocol provides a simple and reliable method for the production of viable precision-cut liver slices from mice. The ex vivo tissue samples can be maintained under laboratory tissue culture conditions for multiple days, providing a flexible model to examine liver pathobiology.

Understanding the mechanisms of liver injury, hepatic fibrosis, and cirrhosis that underlie chronic liver diseases (i.e., viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic ...