Murine Full-thickness Skin Transplantation

Summary

Murine full-thickness skin transplantation is a well-established model to study rejection in an alloimmune setting. Here, we provide a tutorial of each step involved in performing a BALB/c-->C57BL/6 full-thickness skin transplant.

Abstract

Murine full-thickness skin transplantation is a well-established in vivo model to study alloimmune response and graft rejection. Despite its limited application to humans, skin transplantation in mice has been widely employed for transplantation research. The procedure is easy to learn and perform, and it does not require delicate microsurgical techniques nor extensive training. Moreover, graft rejection in this model occurs in a very reproducible immunological reaction and is easily monitored by direct inspection and palpation. In addition, secondary skin transplantation with donor-matched or third-party skin grafts can be performed on more complex transplant models as an alternative and uncomplicated method to assess donor-specific tolerance. The complications are low and are in general limited to anesthesia overdose or respiratory distress after the procedure. Graft failure, on the other hand, occurs commonly as a result of poor preparation of the graft, incorrect positioning in the graft bed, or inappropriate placement of the bandage. In this article, we present a protocol for full-thickness skin transplantation in mice and describe the important steps necessary for a successful procedure.

Introduction

Organ transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage organ failure, and outcomes have improved remarkably with advances in surgical procedures and immunosuppression protocols. However, long-term immunosuppression is associated with significant side effects, and the development of new strategies that promote tolerance remains the goal of modern transplantation research.

Numerous animal models have been developed for basic research in transplantation, to study the mechanisms of allograft rejection and to test immunosuppression approaches for preventing graft rejection and for promoting long-term tolerance^1-3....

Protocol

All procedures were conducted in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institute of Health (NIH) and were approved by the Johns Hopkins University Animal Care and Use Committee (JHUACUC). The specific procedures were performed under the approved ACUC protocols MO13M292 and MO13M370.

1. Donor Skin Harvest

1. Anesthetize the donor mouse with isoflurane (induction vaporizer at 4%, maintenance at 1 - 2% through the mouse cone). Use the toe pinch withdrawal reflex to monitor the depth of anesthesia.
2. Using an electric razor, shave the back of the animal and disinfect it with 10% po....

Results

The placement of the bandage on the recipient mouse is an important step of the procedure. The skin graft is positioned on the recipient trunk, between the shoulder, hip, and spine (Figure 1). The bandage is made with folded gauze and the combination of two plastic adhesive bandages. The recipient mouse is placed with the graft down over the gauze on the center of the bandage. Using two curved micro forceps, the lower end of the bandage is pulled first, and then the top o.......

Discussion

Since its introduction by Medawar, first in human studies and then in rabbits and mice, skin transplantation has been an invaluable model for the study of allogeneic immune responses^6,7. In this manuscript, we present a model of large-scale, non-vascularized, full-thickness skin transplantation using the upper and lower back skin. Various alternative methods, including using the tail skin or ear skin of the mouse as the graft tissue source, have been reported to date^8,9. These models present the dis.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Straight micro forceps	Sigma	F4017
Curved micro forceps	Aesculap	BD333R
Curved Stevens tenotomy scissors	Aesculap	BC905R
Mayo dissecting scissors	Sigma	S3146
Micro needle holder	Aesculap	BM563R
Sterile gauze	Covidien	441218
6-0 Nylon suture	MWI	31849
Plastic Strips Band-Aid	Johnson & Johnson		Obtained from pharmacy
10 cm Petri dish	Fisherbrand	FB0875712
PBS	Quality Biological	119069131
Buprenorphine			DEA Number required; Obtained from hospital pharmacy
Enrofloxacin	Bayer Health Care	186599