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Method Article

Portal Vein Injection: A Method to Study Cancer Metastasis to the Liver

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April 30th, 2023

In This Article

Abstract

Source: Goddard, E. T., et al. A Portal Vein Injection Model to Study Liver Metastasis of Breast Cancer. J. Vis. Exp. (2016).

This video describes a surgical procedure to deliver mammary tumor cells to the murine liver via portal vein injection. This model permits the investigation of late stages of liver metastasis.

Protocol

1. Preparation of the Surgical Area and Instruments

  1. Prepare the scissors, forceps, and hemostat by autoclaving at 124 °C for 30 min, 1 - 2 days prior to the planned surgeries. Ensure access to autoclaved or sterile bedding, cages, and food for post-surgical recovery.
  2. Prepare an aseptic surgical area, preferably in a laminar flow hood.
    1. Wipe down all surfaces of the surgical area with 10% bleach, including the heating pad, light source, anesthesia tubing and nose cone, and any other part of the surgical suite that will be in close proximity to the surgical procedure while it is being performed.
    2. In the as....

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Disclosures

No conflicts of interest declared.

Materials

List of materials used in this article
NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
1 ml Syringe w/ 26-gauge NeedleBD Syringe309597309597
Alcohol Prep PadsFisher Scientific06-669-62For cleaning of abdomen prior to surgical incision
All Purpose Sponges, SterileKendall80444" x 4", use dipped in sterile saline to keep large and small intestines protected and hydrated during surgery
Artificial TearsRugby370114Mineral oil 15%, white petrolatum 83%; use to protect eyes during surgery
Buprenorphine HCl, 0.3 mg/mlMfg. by Reckitt BenckiserNDC-12496-0757-1Use at 0.05 - 0.1 mg/kg body weight, 1 - 2x daily for 72 hr, injected subcutaneously
Bupivacaine HCl, 0.5% (5 mg/ml)Mfg. by Humira IncNDC-04091163-01Use at 0.5%, 1x immediately after surgery, 10 μl injected subcutaneously at incision site
Celox™ Rapid Hemostatic GauzeMedtrade Products Ltd.FG08839011Cut into 5 mm² pieces, use to stop blood flow out of the portal vein with pressure following injection
Chlorhexidine, 2% SolutionVet One1CHL008Use caution, do not get chlorhexidine in mucous membranes or ears of the mouse
Cotton Tipped Applicators, SterileFisher Scientific23-400-1146" Wooden Shaft 2 pc/envelope
DMEM, High-GlucoseHyCloneSH30243.01Cell culture media base for use with D2A1, D2.OR, and 4T1 mammary tumor cell lines
Dry Glass Bead SterilizerUse between surgeries to sterilize stainless steel tools, use caution, extremely hot; multiple suppliers
Ethanol, 70% solutionUse caution flammable; use to clean surgical area as needed; multiple suppliers
Fetal Bovine SerumHyCloneSH30071.03Cell culture media additive for use with D2A1, D2.OR, and 4T1 Journal of Visualized Experiments www.jove.com Copyright © 2016 Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License Page 2 of 3 mammary tumor cell lines, use at 10% in DMEM high glucose
Gauze, SterileKendall21462" x 2", use dipped in chlorhexidine 2% solution for cleaning of abdomen prior to surgical incision
IsofluranePiramalNDC-66794-017-25Administered at 2.5%
Isoflurane VaporizerVetEquip911103Use caution, vaporizes anesthetic gases
Removable Needle Syringe, 25 μl, Model 1702Hamilton7654-01For portal vein injection; use caution, paricularly while working with tumor cell-loaded needles, sharp when needle is attached
Scalpel handleStainless steel; multiple suppliers
Scalpel blade, #15Carbon steel, sterile, size 15; multiple suppliers
Small Hub Removable Needles, 32-gaugeHamilton7803-04For portal vein injection, 1" length, point style 4, 12° angle, 33- to 34- gauge reusable needles can also be used; use caution, paricularly while working with tumor cell loaded needles, sharp
Sterile SalineFisher ScientificBP358-2120.9% NaCl solution; alternatively, can be homemade and sterile filtered
Surgical Gloves, SterileMultiple suppliers
Sutures, SterileEthiconJ310H4-0 27" coated vicryl w/ 22 mm 1/2c taper ethalloy needle; use caution, sharp
Table Top Portable Anesthesia MachineVetEquip901801Use with isoflurane vaporizer for mouse anesthesia
Thumb Dressing ForcepsStainless steel, serrated, blunted; multiple suppliers
Towel Drapes, SterileDynarex441018" x 26", to cover heating pad and provide a sterile workspace during surgery

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