Murine Cervical Aortic Transplantation Model using a Modified Non-Suture Cuff Technique

Summary

Here, we present a protocol of heterotopic aortic transplantation in mice using the non-suture cuff technique in a cervical murine model. This model can be used to study the underlying pathology of chronic allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and can help evaluate new therapeutic agents in order to prevent its formation.

Abstract

With the introduction of powerful immunosuppressive protocols, distinct advances are possible in the prevention and therapy of acute rejection episodes. However, only minor improvement in the long-term results of transplanted solid organs could be observed over the past decades. In this context, chronic allograft vasculopathy (CAV) still represents the leading cause of late organ failure in cardiac, renal and pulmonary transplantation.

Thus far, the underlying pathogenesis of CAV development remains unclear, explaining why effective treatment strategies are presently missing and emphasizing a need for relevant experimental models in order to study the underlying pathophysiology leading to CAV formation. The following protocol describes a murine heterotopic cervical aortic transplantation model using a modified non-suture cuff technique. In this technique, a segment of the thoracic aorta is interpositioned in the right common carotid artery. With the use of the non-suture cuff technique, an easy to learn and reproducible model can be established, minimizing the possible heterogeneity of sutured vascular micro anastomoses.

Introduction

Over the past six decades, solid organ transplantation has evolved from an experimental procedure to a standard of care for the treatment of end-stage organ failure¹. Due to the improvement of antimicrobial agents, surgical techniques and advancement in immunosuppressive regiments, the early success rate of solid organ transplantation have significantly increased over the past decades².

However, long-term graft survival rates have not significantly improved in the same manner³. The development of CAV is the major factor limiting long-term survival⁴

Protocol

All experiments were performed according to the guidelines of the German animal welfare act (TierSchG.) (AZ: 55.2-1-54-2532.Vet_02-80-2015).

1. Animal housing

1. For experiments, use male C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice weighing 20-25 g with C57BL/6 mice as the recipient animals and BALB/c mice as the donor animals.
2. Purchase the animals and house in a barrier pathogen-free facility, in accordance with the FELASA guidelines for health monitoring¹².
3. Keep the mice in standard Makrolon cages with enrichment nesting material. Provide ad libitum access to water and pelleted food at a day/night cycle of....

Results

In the fully MHC-mismatch transplantation model, a concentric neointimal layer can be seen 4 weeks after transplantation (Figure 2). This layer consists primarily of vascular smooth muscle cells as immunohistological staining for SM22 (a selective marker for mature vascular smooth muscle cells) revealed. As stated before, these vascular smooth muscle cells are pathognomonic for lesions seen in chronic allograft vasculopathy. For further analyses, aortic segments should be sectioned and stain.......

Discussion

Chronic allograft vasculopathy is the major cause of late graft loss after solid organ transplantation of the heart and likely renal and lung allografts⁸. Thus far, no causal therapeutic regimen could be developed in order to prevent the formation of CAV.

The pathophysiology of CAV is multifactorial and involves immunological and non-immunological aspects¹⁶. The use of rodent models in transplantation have been essential in understanding the unde.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Balb-c Mice (H2-d)	Charles River	Strain# 028	Donor animal
Bipolar cautery system	ERBE	ICC 50 / 20195-023	Bipolar cautery
C57BL/6J (H-2b)	Charles River	Strain# 027	Recipient animal
Halsey Needle Holders	FST	12501-12	Needle Holder
Halsted-Mosquito Forceps	AESCULAP	BH111R	Curved Clamp
Medical Polyimide Tubing	Nordson MEDICAL	141-0031	Cuff-Material
Micro Serrefines	FST	18055-04	Micro Vessel Clip
Micro-Adson Forceps (serrated)	FST	11018-12	Standard Forceps
Micro-Serrefine Clamp Applying Forceps	FST	18057-14	Clipapplicator
S&T Forceps - SuperGrip Tips (Angled 45°)	S&T	00649-11	Fine Forceps
S&T Vessel Dilating Forceps - Angled 10° (Tip diameter 0.2 mm)	S&T	00125-11	Vesseldilatator
Schott VisiLED Set	Schott	MC 1500 / S80-55	Light
Stereoscopic microscope	ZEISS	SteREO Discovery.V8	Microscope
Student Fine Scissors / Surgical Scissors - Sharp-Blunt	FST	91460-11 / 14001-12	Standard Sissors
Vannas-Tübingen Spring Scissors (curved, 8.5 cm)	FST	15004-08	Microsissors (curved)
Vannas-Tübingen Spring Scissors (straight, 8.5 cm)	FST	15003-08	Microsissors (straight)