The Left Pneumonectomy Combined with Monocrotaline or Sugen as a Model of Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats

Summary

The rodent left pneumonectomy is a valuable technique in pulmonary hypertension research. Here, we present a protocol to describe the rat pneumonectomy procedure and postoperative care to ensure minimal morbidity and mortality.

Abstract

In this protocol, we detail the correct procedural steps and necessary precautions to successfully perform a left pneumonectomy and induce PAH in rats with the additional administration of monocrotaline (MCT) or SU5416 (Sugen). We also compare these two models to other PAH models commonly used in research. In the last few years, the focus of animal PAH models has moved towards studying the mechanism of angioproliferation of plexiform lesions, in which the role of increased pulmonary blood flow is considered as an important trigger in the development of severe pulmonary vascular remodeling. One of the most promising rodent models of increased pulmonary flow is the unilateral left pneumonectomy combined with a "second hit" of MCT or Sugen. The removal of the left lung leads to increased and turbulent pulmonary blood flow and vascular remodeling. Currently, there is no detailed procedure of the pneumonectomy surgery in rats. This article details a step-by-step protocol of the pneumonectomy surgical procedure and post-operative care in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Briefly, the animal is anesthetized and the chest is opened. Once the left pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, and bronchus are visualized, they are ligated and the left lung is removed. The chest then closed and the animal recovered. Blood is forced to circulate only on the right lung. This increased vascular pressure leads to a progressive remodeling and occlusion of small pulmonary arteries. The second hit of MCT or Sugen is used one week post-surgery to induce endothelial dysfunction. The combination of increased blood flow in the lung and endothelial dysfunction produces severe PAH. The primary limitation of this procedure is that it requires general surgical skills.

Introduction

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and fatal disease characterized by an increase in pulmonary blood flow, increased vascular resistance, inflammation, and remodeling of small pulmonary blood vessels¹. This remodeling usually results in vascular lesions that obstruct and obliterate small pulmonary arteries, causing vasoconstriction and increasing right ventricle afterload². Few successful pharmacological treatments of PAH exist; as a consequence, PAH-related mortality remains high. Recently, the focus of research on the pathobiology of pulmonary hypertension has moved towards a mechan....

Protocol

The procedures described below have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. All rats received humane care in compliance with the Mount Sinai “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals”.

1. Preparation for Surgery

1. Autoclave Cooley-Mayo curved scissors (large scissors), straight Iris scissors (small scissors), McPherson-Vannas Iris scissors (back scissors), Wangensteen tissue forceps (atraumatic forceps), Gerald tissue forceps, plain wire speculum (self-retaining retractor), small vessel cauterizer, gauze, double-ended probe, thin v....

Results

According to the accepted classification system, pulmonary hypertension is characterized by a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) exceeding the upper limits of normal pulmonary artery pressure (i.e., 25 mm Hg). In the pneumonectomy + MCT group, severe PAH developed by day 21 with an increased mPAP (Figure 1). The mPAP is calculated by the formula:

Discussion

In PAH-affected lungs, vascular proliferation with neointimal formation and obliteration of the pulmonary arteries result in severe hemodynamic changes, right ventricular failure and early mortality^7,8. The changes to the vessel walls increase resistance to blood flow, increasing arterial and right ventricular pressure. In the early stages of PAH, usually 3 weeks after administering MCT or Sugen, rats developed nonspecific histological changes like medial hypertr.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Surgical Blade	Bard-Parker	371215	Incision
Forane (Isoflurane, USP)	Baxter	NDC 10019-360-40	anesthesia
BD Angiocath 16 G	BD	381157	intubation tube, chest tube
BD 1 mL Insulin Syringe	BD	329652	administer buprinex post-operatively
Biogel Surgeons Surgical Gloves	Biogel	30460-01	sterile surgical gloves
Wahl BravMini+ Trimmer	Braintree Scientific	CLP-41590 P	shave surgical site
SU5416	Cayman Chemical	13342	Sugen
Fiber Optic Illuminator	Cole-Parmer	EW-41723-02	light for intubation
Surgipro II 4-0 Suture	Covidien	VP831X	Closing intercostal muscles
Polysorb 5-0 Suture	Covidien	GL-885	Closing skin
Medium Slide Top Induction Chamber	DRE Veterinary	12570	oxygen & isoflurane delivery
DRE Compact 150 Rodent Anesthesia Machine	DRE Veterinary	373	oxygen & isoflurane delivery
Small Vessel Cauterizer Kit	Fine Science Tools	18000-00	cauterizer to minimize bleeding
VentElite Small Animal Ventilator	Harvard Apparatus	55-7040	ventilator
MouseSTAT Jr	Kent Scientific	MSTAT-JR	pulse oximeter & heart rate monitor
Mouse Paw Pulse Oximeter Sensor	Kent Scientific	SPO2-MSE	pulse oximeter & heart rate paw sensor
PhysioSuite RightTemp	Kent Scientific	PS-02	temperature pad
PVP Prep Solution	Medline	MDS093944	Cleaning surgical site
Poly-lined Drape	Medline	NON21002Z	cover animal
3 mL syringe	Medline	SYR103010	administer fluids post-operatively
Microsurgical Kits, Integra	Miltex	95042-540	surgical tools: plain wire speculum, double-ended probe, McPherson-Vannas Iris scissors straight, straight iris scissors
Hemostatic forceps - Micro-Jacobson-Mosquito	Miltex	17-2602	mosquito
Buprenorphrine HCl 0.3 mg/mL	Par Pharmaceutical	NDC 42023-179-01	Pain relief
Cooley-Mayo curved scissors	Pilling	352090	Large scissors
Gerald Tissue forceps	Pilling	351900	forceps
Wangesnsteen Tissue Forceps	Pilling	342929	atraumatic forceps
Pilling Thin Vascular Needle Holder	Pilling	354962DG	needle holder
Crotaline	Sigma-Aldrich	C2401-1G	MCT
Surflash 20 G IV Catheter	Terumo	SR*FF2051	For pressure reading during organ harvest
ADVantage PV System with 1.2 Fr Catheter	Transonic Inc	ADV500	Record pulmonary artery and right ventricle pressure
Medium Hemoclip	Weck	523700	ligate vessels
Open Ligating Clip Applicator; Medium, curved	Weck Horizon	237081	hemoclip applicator
Surgical Microscope	Zeiss OPMI MD	1808	magnification