Modeling Stroke in Mice: Focal Cortical Lesions by Photothrombosis

Summary

Described here is the photothrombotic stroke model, where a stroke is produced through the intact skull by inducing permanent microvascular occlusion using laser illumination after administration of a photosensitive dye.

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of death and acquired adult disability in developed countries. Despite extensive investigation for novel therapeutic strategies, there remain limited therapeutic options for stroke patients. Therefore, more research is needed for pathophysiological pathways such as post-stroke inflammation, angiogenesis, neuronal plasticity, and regeneration. Given the inability of in vitro models to reproduce the complexity of the brain, experimental stroke models are essential for the analysis and subsequent evaluation of novel drug targets for these mechanisms. In addition, detailed standardized models for all procedures are urgently needed to overcome the so-called replication crisis. As an effort within the ImmunoStroke research consortium, a standardized photothrombotic mouse model using an intraperitoneal injection of Rose Bengal and the illumination of the intact skull with a 561 nm laser is described. This model allows the performance of stroke in mice with allocation to any cortical region of the brain without invasive surgery; thus, enabling the study of stroke in various areas of the brain. In this video, the surgical methods of stroke induction in the photothrombotic model along with histological analysis are demonstrated.

Introduction

Ischemic stroke remains a principal cause of death and acquired adult disability in developed countries in the 21^st century accounting for approximately 2.7 million deaths in 2017 worldwide¹. Even with the immense efforts of the scientific community, few treatments are available. Furthermore, with such high exclusion criteria, these already limited options are not accessible to many patients, resulting in an urgent need for novel treatments to improve functional recovery after stroke.

Considering the incapability of in vitro models to replicate the complex interactions of the brain, animal models ....

Protocol

The experiments reported in this video were conducted according to the national guidelines for the use of experimental animals, and the protocols were approved by the German governmental committees (Regierung von Oberbayern, Munich, Germany). The mice used in this study were male C57Bl/6J mice, 10-12 weeks old, and dispatched by Charles River Germany. The animals were housed under controlled temperatures (22 °C ± 2 °C), with a 12 h light-dark cycle period and access to pelleted food and water ad libitum.

1. Preparation of the material and instruments

1. Dissolve Rose Bengal in 0.9% saline solution to reach a....

Results

The model described here is a photothrombotic stroke model by Rose Bengal injection and intact skull illumination for 20 min, at a constant 561 nm wavelength and 25 mW output power at the fiber. Although the complete photothrombotic surgery lasts 30 min, the animal is kept under low anesthesia and the brain damage is moderate. Approximately 10 min after transfer to their cages, all the animals were awake, freely moving in the cage, and interacting with littermates.

Infarct volumetry was perfor.......

Discussion

The presented protocol describes the experimental stroke model of photothrombosis by illuminating the intact skull with a 561 nm laser, with a previous intraperitoneal injection of Rose Bengal. Until recently, the use of this model has been low but is steadily increasing.

Mortality during stroke induction in this model is absent. The overall mortality of less than 5% arises during operation due to anesthesiological complications or sacrifice after meeting the exclusion criteria. To warrant the.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
561 nm wavelenght laser	Solna	Cobolt HS-03
Acetic Acid	Sigma Life Science	695092
Anesthesia system for isoflurane	Drager
ApopTag Peroxidase In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit	Millipore	S7100
Bepanthen pomade	Bayer	1578681
C57Bl/6J mice	Charles River	000664
Collimeter	Thorlabs	F240APC-A
Cotons	NOBA Verbondmitel Danz	974116
Cresyl violet	Sigma Life Science	C5042-10G
Cryostat	Thermo Scientific CryoStarNX70
Ethanol 70%	CLN Chemikalien Laborbedorf	521005
Ethanol 96%	CLN Chemikalien Laborbedorf	522078
Ethanol 99%	CLN Chemikalien Laborbedorf	ETO-5000-99-1
Filter paper	Macherey-Nagel	432018
Fine Scissors	FST	15000-00
Forceps	FST	11616-15
Heating blanket	FHC DC Temperature Controller	40-90-8D
Isoflurane	Abbot	B506
Isopentane	Fluka	59070
Ketamine	Inresa Arzneimittel GmbH
Laser Speckle	Perimed	PeriCam PSI HR
Mayor Scissors	FST	1410-15
Phosphate Buffered Saline PH: 7.4	Apotheke Innestadt Uni Munchen	P32799
Protective glasses	Laser 2000	NIR-ZS2-38
Rose Bengal	Sigma Aldrich	198250-5G
Roti-Histokit mounting medium	Roth	6638.1
Saline solution	Braun	131321
Stereomikroskop	Zeiss	Stemi DV4
Stereotactic frame	Stoelting	51500U
Superfrost Plus Slides	Thermo Scientific	J1800AMNZ
Xylacine	Albrecht