A Mouse Distraction Osteogenesis Model

Summary

We present a mouse tibial distraction osteogenesis model developed using a custom-made distractor. The use of a mouse as an analysis target is advantageous for advancing research.

Abstract

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a surgical procedure that involves skeletal tissue regeneration without cell transplantation. A DO model consists of the following three phases: the latency phase after osteotomy and placement of the external distractor; the distraction phase, wherein the separated bone ends are gradually and continuously distracted; and the consolidation phase. This custom-made distractor used for DO is comprised of two incomplete acrylic resin rings and an expansion screw. The process was initiated by making a mold with silicone impression material and then creating the custom-made distractor. Dental resin was poured into the formwork made of silicone impression material, and it was allowed to polymerize to create the incomplete resin rings required for the custom-made distractor. These rings were fixed with an expansion screw using transparent resin. The custom-made distractor created via this approach was attached to the tibia of mice. The tibia was fixed to the device using one pair of 25 G needles proximally, one pair of 27 G needles distally, and acrylic resin. After a latency period of 5 days, distraction was initiated at a rate of 0.2 mm/12 h. The lengthening was continued for 8 days, resulting in a total gap of 3.2 mm. The mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after distraction. Bone formation in the distraction gap was confirmed using both radiography and histology.

Introduction

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is an established treatment method for a variety of skeletal disorders, such as limb length discrepancies, bone defects, and limb deformities¹. This unique treatment strategy is based on the "tension-stress principle" proposed by Ilizarov. The method requires several days for latency, several weeks for active distraction, and several months for consolidation until the mature bone is formed².

The local hypoxic conditions due to blockage of blood flow^3,4 and mechanical stimulation^5<....

Protocol

All experiments were carried out in accordance with protocols approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of our institution. Sterilize all instruments prior to the procedure.

1. Preparation of a Mold for Creating the Custom-made Distractor

1. Make two incomplete rings (outer diameter, 20 mm; inner diameter, 10 mm), which are a part of the distractor, with one sheet of paraffin wax (145 mm x 74 mm) using an Evans wax carver.
   1. Make 4 of the same pieces. Use a wax spatula heated with a gas burner. Stack the four rings for a thickness of 5 mm. Provide space for the expansion screw and needle, 8 mm x 2 mm and 5 mm x 2 mm r....

Results

Figures 1A and 1B present incomplete rings (outer diameter, 20 mm; inner diameter, 10 mm; thickness, 5 mm) with paraffin wax. Two wax patterns were embedded in silicone impression material, and a mold for the resin rings (Figure 1C) was formed. Polymerized resin was immediately poured into this mold, and resin rings were obtained (Figure 1D). A custom-made distra.......

Discussion

When a large animal is used as an experimental model, a ready-made extension device can be used, and it is easy to obtain good fixation and assess the extension operation itself and the extension amount. However, when a mouse is used as an experimental model, it is necessary to develop some or all of the equipment. Isefuku et al. and Tay et al. made the device and created a mouse model^7,8. Carvahjo et al. adopted a method involving fixa.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Paraffin wax	YAMAHACHI DENTAL MFG. CO.	-	For preparation a mold for resin rings
Labocone putty	GC Corporation	-	For preparation a mold for resin rings
Utility wax	GC Corporation	-	For preparation a mold for resin rings
Expansion screw	Ortho Dentaurum	600-301-30	Component of custom-made distractor
Unifast III	GC Corporation	-	Immediate polymerization resin Component of custom-made distractor
Ortho Crystal	NISSIN	-	Transparent resin Component of custom-made distractor
25 G needle	TERUMO	NN-2516R	For custom-made distractor
27 G needle	TERUMO	NN-2719S	For custom-made distractor
ICR mouse	Chubu Kagaku Shizai Corporation	-	Experimental animal
Somnopentyl	Kyoritsu Seiyaku	-	Pentobarbital sodium salt
Isoflurane	FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation	099-06571	Isoflurane inhalation solution