In vivo mammalian models of critical-sized bone defects are essential for researchers studying healing mechanisms and orthopedic therapies. Here, we introduce a protocol for the creation of reproducible, segmental, femoral defects in rats stabilized using external fixation.
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Method Article
A Reliable and Reproducible Critical-Sized Segmental Femoral Defect Model in Rats Stabilized with a Custom External Fixator
In This Article
Summary
Abstract
Orthopedic research relies heavily on animal models to study mechanisms of bone healing in vivo as well as investigate the new treatment techniques. Critical-sized segmental defects are challenging to treat clinically, and research efforts could benefit from a reliable, ambulatory small animal model of a segmental femoral defect. In this study, we present an optimized surgical protocol for the consistent and reproducible creation of a 5 mm critical diaphyseal defect in a rat femur stabilized with an external fixator. The diaphyseal ostectomy was performed using a custom jig to place 4 Kirschner wires bicortically, which were stabilized with an adapted external fixator device. An oscillating bone saw was used to create the defect. Either a collagen sponge alone or a collagen sponge soaked in rhBMP-2 was implanted into the defect, and the bone healing was monitored over 12 weeks using radiographs. After 12 weeks, rats were sacrificed, and histological analysis was performed on the excised control and treated femurs. Bone defects containing only collagen sponge resulted in non-union, while rhBMP-2 treatment yielded the formation of a periosteal callous and new bone remodeling. Animals recovered well after implantation, and external fixation proved successful in stabilizing the femoral defects over 12 weeks. This streamlined surgical model could be readily applied to study bone healing and test new orthopedic biomaterials and regenerative therapies in vivo.
Introduction
Orthopedic trauma surgery focuses on treating a wide range of complex fractures. Critical diaphyseal segmental bone defects have proven difficult to treat clinically due to the decreased regenerative ability of the surrounding muscle and periosteum as well as the failure of localized angiogenesis1. Modern treatment techniques include operative fixation with bone grafting, delayed bone (Masquelet) grafting, bone transport, fusion, or amputation2,3,4. In most patients who have ambulatory function preserved after their trauma, with well-functioning distal....
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Protocol
The rats used in this study received daily care in accordance with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition16. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Wisconsin-Madison evaluated and approved this experimental protocol before the project began.
1. Animals
- Use the outbred Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing approximately 350 g.
2. Preparation of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (rhBMP-2) soaked sponge scaffolds
NOTE: Scaffold preparation should occur just before implantation in the femur (see Step 6.1....
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Results
Surgeries were performed in approximately one hour by one surgeon with the help of one assistant. After surgical optimization, intra- and postoperative complications were greatly minimized and use of the jig apparatus ensured consistent size (5 x 3 x 3 mm) and localization of femoral defects. Rats were ambulatory immediately following recovery from anesthesia and did not appear to have any altered behavioral patterns; their gait was not antalgic, and they did not appear to be disturbed by.......
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Discussion
Small animal models of orthopedic injuries such as complete bone fractures enable research that explores the mechanisms of osteogenesis and assessing the therapeutic potential of biomaterials20. This study introduces a rat segmental defect model stabilized by a custom external fixator that a lab and biomedical engineering team can readily reproduce for further studies of load-bearing osteosynthetic bone repair.
Previous studies using critical-sized defects in rat models.......
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Disclosures
The authors declare no competing financial interests or benefits. There have been no benefits received directly or indirectly by the authors of this article.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by an NIH Equipment Grant 1S10OD023676-01 with additional support provided through the University of Wisconsin’s Departments of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation and School of Medicine and Public Health. We wish to acknowledge the UW’s Carbone Cancer Center Support Grant P30 CA014520 and use of their Small Animal Imaging Facility, as well as NIH Training Grant 5T35OD011078-08 for support of H. Martin. We also thank Michael and Mary Sue Shannon for their support of the Musculoskeletal Regeneration Partnership.
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Materials
| Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9% Sterile Saline | Baxter | 2F7124 | Used for irrigating wound and rehydration |
| 10% Iodine/Povidone | Carefusion | 1215016 | Used to prep skin |
| 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin | VWR | 89370094 | Used as fixative |
| 1mm non-threaded kirschner wire | DePuy Synthes | VW1003.15 | Sterilized, used for the most proximal pin |
| 1mm threaded kirschner wire | DePuy Synthes | VW1005.15 | Sterilized, used for the 3 most distal pin slots |
| 2x2 gauze | Covidien | 4006130 | Sterilized, used to prep skin and absorb blood |
| 4-0 Vicryl Suture | Ethicon | 4015304 | Used to close muscle and skin layers |
| 4-40 x 0.25",18-8 stainless steel button head cap screws | Generic | External fixator assembly | |
| 4200 Cordless Driver | Stryker | OR-S-4200 | Used to drill kirschner wires |
| 4x4 gauze | Covidien | 1219158 | Sterilized, used to absorb blood |
| 70 % Ethanol | Used to prep skin | ||
| Baytril | Bayer Healthcare LLC, Animal health division | 312.10010.3 | Added to water as an antibiotic |
| Cefazolin | Hikma Pharmaceuticals | 8917156 | Pre-op antibiotic |
| CleanCap Gaussia Luciferase mRNA (5moU) | TriLink Biotechnologies | L-7205 | Modified mRNA encoding for Gaussia Luciferase, keep on ice during use |
| Coelenterazine native | NanoLight Technology | 303 | Substrate for Guassia Luciferase, used to assess luciferase activity in vivo |
| Double antibiotic ointment | Johnson & Johnson consumer Inc | 8975432 | Applied to pin sites post-op as wound care |
| Dual Cut Microblade | Stryker | 5400-003-410 | Used to create 5mm defect in femur |
| Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA) | Fisher | BP120-500 | Used to decalcify bone to prep for histology |
| Extended Release Buprenorphine | ZooPharm | Used as 3 day pain relief | |
| Fenestrated drapes | 3M | 1204025 | Used to establish sterile field |
| Handpiece cord for TPS | Stryker | OR-S-5100-4N | Used to create 5mm defect in femur |
| Heating pad | K&H Pet Products | 121239 | Rat body temperature maintenance |
| Hexagonal head screwdriver | Wiha | 263/1/16 " X 50 | External fixator tightening |
| Induction chamber | Generic | Anesthesia for rats | |
| Infuse collagen sponge with recombinant human Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 | Medtronic | 7510200 | Clinically relevant treatment used as positive control |
| Isoflurane | Clipper | 10250 | Anesthesia for rats |
| IVIS | Perkin Elmer | 124262 | Bioluminescence imaging modality |
| Jig | Custom | Used to place bicortical pins | |
| Lipofectamine MessengerMAX | Fisher Scientific | LMRNA003 | mRNA complexing agent that enables mRNA delivery |
| Sensorcaine-MPF (Bupivicane (0.25%) and Epinephrine (1:200,000)) | APP Pharmaceuticals, LLC | NDC 63323-468-37 | Applied to surgical site for pain relief and vasoconstriction |
| Sterile water | Hospira | 8904653 | Used as solvent for cefazolin powder |
| Titanium external fixator plates | Custom | Prepared in house with scrap titanium and milling machine | |
| Total Performance System (TPS) Console | Stryker | OR-S-5100-1 | Used to create 5mm defect in femur |
| TPS MicroSaggital Saw | Stryker | OR-S-5100-34 | Used to create 5mm defect in femur |
| Ultrafocus Faxitron with DXA | Faxitron | High resolution radiographic imaging modality | |
| Uniprim rat diet | Envigo | TD.06596 | Medicated rat diet |
| Universal Handswitch for TPS | Stryker | OR-S-5100-9 | Used to create 5mm defect in femur |
| Vetbond Tissue Adhesive | 3M | 1469 | Skin closure |
References
- Filipowska, J., Tomaszewski, K. A., Niedźwiedzki, Ł, Walocha, J. A., Niedźwiedzki, T. The role of vasculature in bone development, regeneration and proper systemic functioning. Angiogenesis. 20 (3), 291-302 (2017).
- Charalambous, C. P., Akimau, P., Wilkes, R. A.
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