The authors thank Christiane Pahrmann for her contribution. Special thanks to Ethicon, Norderstedt, Hamburg (Germany) for providing the suture material.
Funding
Sonja Schrepfer has received a research grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (SCHR992/3 1 and SCHR992/4-1).] The work was supported by the ISHLT Shumway Career Development Grant 2010 and the Falk Research Funding (Stanford University).

1. Internal Mammary Artery (IMA) Preparation
<ol>
	<li>The arterial endothelium is denuded by the passage of a 2-french Fogarty arterial embolectomy catheter (Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL, USA). The catheter is pulled through the whole vessel length twice to ensure endothelial damage.</li>
	<li>Use any human stent of 8mm length and 2.5 mm-3 mm in diameter (e.g. Translumina, Yukon stent). CAUTION: The diameter of the stent should not exceed the vessel diameter by more than 10% to avoid pre- and post-stent stenosis. CAUTION: Don't switch the length of the stent within the same study.</li>
	<li>Deploy the stent using the appropriate balloon pressure (which is noted on the stent package) to achieve the desired diameter.</li>
	<li>Store stented IMA in 4 &deg;C RPMI + heparin (500 IE/10 ml) on ice until transplantation.</li>
</ol>
2. Animal Preparation
RNU Nude (Crl:NIH-Foxn1rnu) rats (300-350 g) are housed under conventional conditions in scantainer ventilated cabinets, fed standard rat chow and autoclaved water ad libidum.
<ol>
	<li>Anesthetize rat with isoflurane (2.5-3%) using an induction chamber.</li>
	<li>Shave the abdominal hair and place the rat on its back and place a facemask over its nose and mouth to keep up the anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Disinfect the abdominal area widely using Provo-Iodine, next use 80% ethanol - repeat this step twice. Check reflexes pinching the hind feet to be sure that the rat is sufficient anesthetized.</li>
	<li>Under microscopic view, perform an upper median laparotomy to expose the infrarenal abdominal aorta.</li>
	<li>Place the intestines in a saline moisturized glove. Fold the glove around the intestines to prevent loss of moisture.</li>
	<li>Dissect the aorta from the infrarenal region to the bifurcation, carefully not to cause damage on the branches of the vessels.</li>
	<li>Use micro clamps to stop the aortic blood flow. Place the proximal clamp first, followed by the distal clamp.</li>
	<li>Remove an app. 0.5-0.7 mm aortic segment and flush the remaining aorta with heparin (200 units).</li>
	<li>Take the stented IMA and shorten it to the adequate length and position it into the gap.</li>
	<li>Connect the IMA to the recipient aorta, by running sutures using 8-0 prolene suture (Ethicon, Norderstedt, Germany).</li>
	<li>Carefully open the first cranial clamp and then the caudal clamp.</li>
	<li>There should be a visible pulse in the transplanted IMA and at the distal end of the aorta.</li>
	<li>Place the intestines back into the abdomen.</li>
	<li>Flush the abdomen with pre-warmed sterile saline.</li>
	<li>Close the muscle layer of the abdominal wall using 6-0 prolene running sutures (Ethicon, Norderstedt, Germany).</li>
	<li>While the rat is still in anesthesia, inject 4-5 mg/kg Carprofen subcutaneously.</li>
	<li>Administer post-surgical analgesia as appropriate (e.g. Carprofen or Meloxicam) for 3 days post surgery.</li>
</ol>
3. Representative Results
For histology, the specimens were fixed in 4% formalin, dehydrated in a graded series of alcohol, and infiltrated in a mixture (MMA I) of 80% methylmethacrylate and 20% dibutylphthalate for 1 day, MMA I with 1% dry benzoyl peroxide for 1 day, and MMA I with 3% dry benzoyl peroxide (MMA III) for 1-2 days at 4 &deg;C. Thereafter, the specimens were polymerized in fresh MMA III in glass vials in a water bath on a pre-polymerized base. Slow polymerization was achieved by keeping the vials at 26 &deg;C overnight, increasing the temperature to 28 &deg;C the next morning, and then increasing the temperature gradually by 0.5 &deg;C over 12 h until polymerization occurred. The polymerized blocks were sectioned at 5 &mu;m thickness using a MICROM HM 360 microtome equipped with a tungsten carbide knife.
To identify the origin of proliferating cells (Figure 1), slides were stained with antibodies identifying either the green fluorescent protein (GFP) or rat MHC-I and human smooth muscle cells. For these studies, human IMA was incubated with the reporter gene GFP overnight using lentiviral particles for stable transduction of IMA cells. Dividing daughter cells from human origin could be identified by expressing GFP. After deparaffinization, heat-induced epitope retrieval is performed by heating the slides in antigen retrieval solution using a steamer. The Image-iT FX signal enhancer can be used for the blocking step. Cells of human origin are identified using the mouse monoclonal antibodies against GFP (1:100 diluted in primary antibody diluent (Dako)), and further labeled with goat-anti-mouse IgG, Alexa Fluor 488 (1:1000 diluted in secondary antibody diluent). The smooth muscle cells were marked with the rabbit polycolonal anti-smooth muscle &alpha;-actin (1:100 diluted in primary antibody diluent), followed by goat-anti-rabbit IgG, Alexa Fluor 555 (1:1000 diluted in secondary antibody diluents). Each antibody incubation step is performed at 37 &deg;C for 1 hour with three times PBS washing in between. Nuclei are stained with DAPI for 10 minutes. After mounting of the slides using Prolong Gold antifade reagent, samples were analyzed using confocal microscopy.
<img alt="Figure 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/3663/3663fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. The neointimal cells as human smooth muscle cells. A: Green= anti GFP, labeling cells of human origin; red=anti human smooth muscle cell actin; blue=DAPI, identifying cell nuclei. B: Green= anti rat MHC-I, labeling cells of rat origin; red=anti human smooth muscle cell actin; blue=DAPI, identifying cell nuclei. Proliferating cells are identified as smooth muscle cells and positive for GFP, but negative for the rat MHC-I molecule. Therefore, proliferating cells are human origin.

<ol>
	<li>Deuse, T., Ikeno, F., Robbins, R. C., Schrepfer, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Imaging+In-Stent+Restenosis:+An+Inexpensive,+Reliable,+and+Rapid+Preclinical+Model.">Imaging In-Stent Restenosis: An Inexpensive, Reliable, and Rapid Preclinical Model.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (31), e1346 (2009).</li><li>Oyamada, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Trans-iliac+rat+aorta+stenting:+a+novel+high+throughput+preclinical+stent+model+for+restenosis+and+thrombosis.">Trans-iliac rat aorta stenting: a novel high throughput preclinical stent model for restenosis and thrombosis.</a> J. Surg. Res. 166, e91-e95 (2011).</li><li>Chamberlain, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+mouse+model+of+in+situ+stenting.">A novel mouse model of in situ stenting.</a> Cardiovascular research. 85, 38-44 (2010).</li><li>Deuse, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Introducing+the+first+polymer-free+leflunomide+eluting+stent.">Introducing the first polymer-free leflunomide eluting stent.</a> Atherosclerosis. 200, 126-134 (2008).</li><li>Finn, A. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+healing+after+sirolimus,+paclitaxel,+and+bare+metal+stent+placement+in+combination+with+peroxisome+proliferator-activator+receptor+gamma+agonists:+requirement+for+mTOR/Akt2+in+PPARgamma+activation.">Differential healing after sirolimus, paclitaxel, and bare metal stent placement in combination with peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor gamma agonists: requirement for mTOR/Akt2 in PPARgamma activation.</a> Circulation research. 105, 1003-1012 (2009).</li><li>Tellez, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Coronary+bare+metal+stent+implantation+in+homozygous+LDL+receptor+deficient+swine+induces+a+neointimal+formation+pattern+similar+to+humans.">Coronary bare metal stent implantation in homozygous LDL receptor deficient swine induces a neointimal formation pattern similar to humans.</a> Atherosclerosis. 213, 518-524 (2010).</li><li>Suzuki, Y., Yeung, A. C., Ikeno, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+pre-clinical+animal+model+in+the+translational+research+of+interventional+cardiology.">The pre-clinical animal model in the translational research of interventional cardiology.</a> JACC Cardiovasc. Interv. 2, 373-383 (2009).</li><li>Holt, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intimal+proliferation+in+an+organ+culture+of+human+internal+mammary+artery.">Intimal proliferation in an organ culture of human internal mammary artery.</a> Cardiovascular research. 26, 1189-1194 (1992).</li><li>Swanson, N., Javed, Q., Hogrefe, K., Gershlick, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+internal+mammary+artery+organ+culture+model+of+coronary+stenting:+a+novel+investigation+of+smooth+muscle+cell+response+to+drug-eluting+stents.">Human internal mammary artery organ culture model of coronary stenting: a novel investigation of smooth muscle cell response to drug-eluting stents.</a> Clin. Sci. (Lond). 103, 347-353 (2002).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

Although different in vivo research models are existing to investigate the development of intimal hyperplasia after stent placement, these models still facing translational hurdles to overcome. Furthermore, large animal models are expensive and special housing conditions as well as surgical equipment is not available for all laboratories.
Using a human IMA to study the development of human intimal proliferation and in-stent restenosis was studied before ex situ in organ ...

<table border="1">
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of the reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalog number</td>
 <td>Comments </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>2 French Fogarty catheter</td>
 <td>Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL, USA</td>
 <td>120602F</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Yukon Stent</td>
 <td>Translumina GmbH, Hechingen, Germany</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Use the stent of your choice according to your study protocol</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>RPMI media</td>
 <td>Biochrom </td>
 <td>Nr.F1275 </td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>heparin</td>
 <td>Baxter</td>
 <td>2B0953 </td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>isoflurane</td>
 <td>Abbot</td>
 <td>B506 </td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Provo-Iodine</td>
 <td>Betadine Puredue Pharma</td>
 <td>EAN:5995327165830 </td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>80% ethanol</td>
 <td>Geyer</td>
 <td>ETV 80/0500</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Micro clamp</td>
 <td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
 <td>PY2-61-0186</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Sutures 8-0</td>
 <td>Johnson&amp; Johnson,</td>
 <td>2808G</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Sutures 6-0</td>
 <td>Johnson&amp; Johnson,</td>
 <td>1698 H </td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Carprofen</td>
 <td>Feizer Vet</td>
 <td>PZN:0110208</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Metamizol</td>
 <td>Ratiopharm</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Target retrieval solution, pH9</td>
 <td>Dako</td>
 <td>S2368 </td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Image-iT FX signal enhancer </td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>I36933 </td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>mouse monoclonal anti-GFP antibody </td>
 <td>BD living colors</td>
 <td>632381 </td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>primary antibody diluent </td>
 <td>Dako</td>
 <td>S3022</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>goat-anti-mouse IgG, Alexa Fluor 488 </td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>A11017</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>secondary antibody diluent </td>
 <td>Dako</td>
 <td>S0809</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>rabbit polycolonal anti-smooth muscle &alpha;-actin </td>
 <td>Abcam,</td>
 <td>ab5694</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>goat-anti-rabbit IgG, Alexa Fluor 555 </td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>A21430</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Prolong Gold antifade reagent</td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>P36930</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

human internal mammary artery (ima) transplantation and stenting: a human model to study the development of in-stent restenosis

Preclinical in vivo research models to investigate pathobiological and pathophysiological processes in the development of intimal hyperplasia after vessel stenting are crucial for translational approaches1,2.
The commonly used animal models include mice, rats, rabbits, and pigs3-5. However, the translation of these models into clinical settings remains difficult, since those biological processes are already studied in animal vessels but never performed before in human research models6,7. In this video we demonstrate a new humanized model to overcome this translational gap. The shown procedure is reproducible, easy, and fast to perform and is suitable to study the development of intimal hyperplasia and the applicability of diverse stents.
This video shows how to perform the stent technique in human vessels followed by transplantation into immunodeficient rats, and identifies the origin of proliferating cells as human.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Human Internal Mammary Artery IMA Transplantation and Stenting: A Human Model to Study the Development of In-Stent Restenosis at JoVE.com

Human Internal Mammary Artery IMA Transplantation and Stenting: A Human Model to Study the Development of In-Stent Restenosis

This video shows a model to study the development of intimal hyperplasia after stent deployment using a human vessel (IMA) in an immunodeficient rat model.

Human Internal Mammary Artery (IMA) Transplantation and Stenting: A Human Model to Study the Development of In-Stent Restenosis

Preclinical in vivo research models to investigate pathobiological and pathophysiological processes in the development of intimal hyperplasia after vessel ...

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JoVE Journal

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11.2K Views.  TSI-Lab, Germany. Questo video mostra un modello per studiare lo sviluppo di iperplasia intimale dopo la distribuzione stent utilizzando una nave umano (IMA) in un modello di ratto immunodeficienti.

Video: Human Internal Mammary Artery IMA Transplantation and Stenting: A Human Model to Study the Development of In-Stent Restenosis

Orthotopic Aortic Transplantation: A Rat Model to Study the Development of Chronic Vasculopathy

Research models of chronic rejection are essential to investigate pathobiological and pathophysiological processes during the development of transplant vasculopathy (TVP).
The commonly used animal model for cardiovascular chronic rejection studies is the heterotopic heart transplant model performed in laboratory rodents. This model is used widely in experiments since Ono and Lindsey (3) published their technique. To analyze the findings in the blood vessels, the heart has to be sectioned and all vessels have to be measured.
Another method to investigate chronic rejection in cardiovascular questionings is the aortic transplant model (1, 2). In the orthotopic aortic transplant model, the aorta can easily be histologically evaluated (2). The PVG-to-ACI model is especially useful for CAV studies, since acute vascular rejection is not a major confounding factor and Cyclosporin A (CsA) treatment does not prevent the development of CAV, similar to what we find in the clinical setting (4). A7-day period of CsA is required in this model to prevent acute rejection and to achieve long-term survival with the development of TVP.
This model can also be used to investigate acute cellular rejection and media necrosis in xenogeneic models (5).

This video demonstrates the orthotopic aortic transplant model as a simple model to study the development of transplant vasculopathy (TVP) in rats.

Research models of chronic rejection are essential to investigate pathobiological and pathophysiological processes during the development of transplant ...

Utilizing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Study the Human Neuromuscular System

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been in use for more than 20 years 1, and has grown exponentially in popularity over the past decade. While the use of TMS has expanded to the study of many systems and processes during this time, the original application and perhaps one of the most common uses of TMS involves studying the physiology, plasticity and function of the human neuromuscular system. Single pulse TMS applied to the motor cortex excites pyramidal neurons transsynaptically 2 (Figure 1) and results in a measurable electromyographic response that can be used to study and evaluate the integrity and excitability of the corticospinal tract in humans 3. Additionally, recent advances in magnetic stimulation now allows for partitioning of cortical versus spinal excitability 4,5. For example, paired-pulse TMS can be used to assess intracortical facilitatory and inhibitory properties by combining a conditioning stimulus and a test stimulus at different interstimulus intervals 3,4,6-8. In this video article we will demonstrate the methodological and technical aspects of these techniques. Specifically, we will demonstrate single-pulse and paired-pulse TMS techniques as applied to the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscle as well as the erector spinae (ES) musculature. Our laboratory studies the FCR muscle as it is of interest to our research on the effects of wrist-hand cast immobilization on reduced muscle performance6,9, and we study the ES muscles due to these muscles clinical relevance as it relates to low back pain8. With this stated, we should note that TMS has been used to study many muscles of the hand, arm and legs, and should iterate that our demonstrations in the FCR and ES muscle groups are only selected examples of TMS being used to study the human neuromuscular system.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive tool to gain insight on the physiology and function of the human nervous system. Here, we present our TMS techniques to study cortical excitability of the upper limb and lumbar musculature.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been in use for more than 20 years 1, and has grown exponentially in popularity over the past decade.  While ...

Stem Cell Transplantation in an in vitro Simulated Ischemia/Reperfusion Model

Stem cell transplantation protocols are finding their way into clinical practice1,2,3. Getting better results, making the protocols more robust, and finding new sources for implantable cells are the focus of recent research4,5. Investigating the effectiveness of cell therapies is not an easy task and new tools are needed to investigate the mechanisms involved in the treatment process6. We designed an experimental protocol of ischemia/reperfusion in order to allow the observation of cellular connections and even subcellular mechanisms during ischemia/reperfusion injury and after stem cell transplantation and to evaluate the efficacy of cell therapy. H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells were placed onto cell culture plates7,8. Ischemia was simulated with 150 minutes in a glucose free medium with oxygen level below 0.5%. Then, normal media and oxygen levels were reintroduced to simulate reperfusion. After oxygen glucose deprivation, the damaged cells were treated with transplantation of labeled human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells by adding them to the culture. Mesenchymal stem cells are preferred in clinical trials because they are easily accessible with minimal invasive surgery, easily expandable and autologous. After 24 hours of co-cultivation, cells were stained with calcein and ethidium-homodimer to differentiate between live and dead cells. This setup allowed us to investigate the intercellular connections using confocal fluorescent microscopy and to quantify the survival rate of postischemic cells by flow cytometry. Confocal microscopy showed the interactions of the two cell populations such as cell fusion and formation of intercellular nanotubes. Flow cytometry analysis revealed 3 clusters of damaged cells which can be plotted on a graph and analyzed statistically. These populations can be investigated separately and conclusions can be drawn on these data on the effectiveness of the simulated therapeutical approach.

Stem Cell Transplantation in an in vitro Simulated Ischemia/Reperfusion Model

We demonstrate how to set up an in vitro ischemia/reperfusion model and how to evaluate the effect of stem cell therapy on postischemic cardiac cells.

Stem cell transplantation protocols are finding their way into clinical practice1,2,3. Getting better results, making the protocols more robust, and ...

Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Cell Lines as a Three-Dimensional Model for the Study of Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors, with an incidence of two per 100,&#x200A;000 individuals per year, and they account for 0.5% of all human malignancies.1 Other than surgery for the minority of patients who present with localized disease, there is little or no survival benefit of systemic therapy. Therefore, there is a great need to better understand the biology of NETs, and in particular define new therapeutic targets for patients with nonresectable or metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. 3D cell culture is becoming a popular method for drug screening due to its relevance in modeling the in vivo tumor tissue organization and microenvironment.2,3 The 3D multicellular spheroids could provide valuable information in a more timely and less expensive manner than directly proceeding from 2D cell culture experiments to animal (murine) models.
To facilitate the discovery of new therapeutics for NET patients, we have developed an in vitro 3D multicellular spheroids model using the human NET cell lines. The NET cells are plated in a non-adhesive agarose-coated 24-well plate and incubated under physiological conditions (5% CO2, 37 &deg;C) with a very slow agitation for 16-24 hr after plating. The cells form multicellular spheroids starting on the 3rd or 4th day. The spheroids become more spherical by the 6th day, at which point the drug treatments are initiated. The efficacy of the drug treatments on the NET spheroids is monitored based on the morphology, shape and size of the spheroids with a phase-contrast light microscope. The size of the spheroids is estimated automatically using a custom-developed MATLAB program based on an active contour algorithm. Further, we demonstrate a simple method to process the HistoGel embedding on these 3D spheroids, allowing the use of standard histological and immunohistochemical techniques. 
This is the first report on generating 3D spheroids using NET cell lines to examine the effect of therapeutic drugs. We have also performed histology on these 3D spheroids, and displayed an example of a single drug's effect on growth and proliferation of the NET spheroids. Our results support that the NET spheroids are valuable for further studies of NET biology and drug development.

We present a simple agarose overlay platform to grow 3D multicellular spheroids using neuroendocrine cancer cell lines. This method provides a very convenient way to examine the effect of therapeutic drugs on the neuroendocrine tumor cells. It could also help us establish human neuroendocrine tumor spheroids for cancer therapy.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors, with an incidence of two per 100,&#x200A;000 individuals per year, and they account for 0.5% of all human ...

A Murine Model of Stent Implantation in the Carotid Artery for the Study of Restenosis

Despite the considerable progress made in the stent development in the last decades, cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of death in western countries. Beside the benefits offered by the development of different drug-eluting stents, the coronary revascularization bears also the life-threatening risks of in-stent thrombosis and restenosis. Research on new therapeutic strategies is impaired by the lack of appropriate methods to study stent implantation and restenosis processes. Here, we describe a rapid and accessible procedure of stent implantation in mouse carotid artery, which offers the possibility to study in a convenient way the molecular mechanisms of vessel remodeling and the effects of different drug coatings.

A model of stent implantation in mouse carotid artery is described. Compared to other similar methods, this procedure is very rapid, simple and accessible, offering the possibility to study in a convenient way the vascular wall reaction to different drug-eluting stents and the molecular mechanisms of restenosis.

Despite  the considerable progress made in the stent development in the last decades,  cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of death in western ...

A Human Ex Vivo Atherosclerotic Plaque Model to Study Lesion Biology

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the vasculature. There are various methods to study the inflammatory compound in atherosclerotic lesions. Mouse models are an important tool to investigate inflammatory processes in atherogenesis, but these models suffer from the phenotypic and functional differences between the murine and human immune system. In vitro cell experiments are used to specifically evaluate cell type-dependent changes caused by a substance of interest, but culture-dependent variations and the inability to analyze the influence of specific molecules in the context of the inflammatory compound in atherosclerotic lesions limit the impact of the results. In addition, measuring levels of a molecule of interest in human blood helps to further investigate its clinical relevance, but this represents systemic and not local inflammation. Therefore, we here describe a plaque culture model to study human atherosclerotic lesion biology ex vivo. In short, fresh plaques are obtained from patients undergoing endarterectomy or coronary artery bypass grafting and stored in RPMI medium on ice until usage. The specimens are cut into small pieces followed by random distribution into a 48-well plate, containing RPMI medium in addition to a substance of interest such as cytokines or chemokines alone or in combination for defined periods of time. After incubation, the plaque pieces can be shock frozen for mRNA isolation, embedded in Paraffin or OCT for immunohistochemistry staining or smashed and lysed for western blotting. Furthermore, cells may be isolated from the plaque for flow cytometry analysis. In addition, supernatants can be collected for protein measurement by ELISA. In conclusion, the presented ex vivo model opens the possibility to further study inflammatory lesional biology, which may result in identification of novel disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

A Human Ex Vivo Atherosclerotic Plaque Model to Study Lesion Biology

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process. This manuscript illustrates an easy to use ex vivo model to investigate fresh carotid or coronary artery plaques. The ex vivo model allows for the investigation of potential substances on the inflammatory milieu in human atherosclerotic lesions and results can be analyzed by various methods.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the vasculature. There are various methods to study the inflammatory compound in atherosclerotic ...

Induction of Invasive Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma in Immune Intact Human MUC1 Transgenic Mice:  A Model for Immunotherapy Development

A preclinical model of invasive bladder cancer was developed in human mucin 1 (MUC1) transgenic (MUC1.Tg) mice for the purpose of evaluating immunotherapy and/or cytotoxic chemotherapy. To induce bladder cancer, C57BL/6 mice (MUC1.Tg and wild type) were treated orally with the carcinogen N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (OH-BBN) at 3.0 mg/day, 5 days/week for 12 weeks. To assess the effects of OH-BBN on serum cytokine profile during tumor development, whole blood was collected via submandibular bleeds prior to treatment and every four weeks. In addition, a MUC1-targeted peptide vaccine and placebo were administered to groups of mice weekly for eight weeks. Multiplex fluorometric microbead immunoanalyses of serum cytokines during tumor development and following vaccination were performed. At termination, interferon gamma (IFN-&#947;)/interleukin-4 (IL-4) ELISpot analysis for MUC1 specific T-cell immune response and histopathological evaluations of tumor type and grade were performed. The results showed that: (1) the incidence of bladder cancer in both MUC1.Tg and wild type mice was 67%; (2) transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) developed at a 2:1 ratio compared to squamous cell carcinomas (SCC); (3) inflammatory cytokines increased with time during tumor development; and (4) administration of the peptide vaccine induces a Th1-polarized serum cytokine profile and a MUC1 specific T-cell response. All tumors in MUC1.Tg mice were positive for MUC1 expression, and half of all tumors in MUC1.Tg and wild type mice were invasive. In conclusion, using a team approach through the coordination of the efforts of pharmacologists, immunologists, pathologists and molecular biologists, we have developed an immune intact transgenic mouse model of bladder cancer that expresses hMUC1.

An N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-induced bladder cancer model was developed in human mucin 1 (MUC1) transgenic mice for the purpose of testing MUC1-directed immunotherapy. After administering a MUC1-targeted peptide vaccine, a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to MUC1 was confirmed by measuring serum cytokine levels and T-cell specific activity.

A preclinical model of invasive bladder cancer was developed in human mucin 1 (MUC1) transgenic (MUC1.Tg) mice for the purpose of evaluating immunotherapy ...

Excitotoxic Stimulation of Brain Microslices as an In vitro Model of Stroke

Examining molecular mechanisms involved in neuropathological conditions, such as ischemic stroke, can be difficult when using whole animal systems. As such, primary or &#39;neuronal-like&#39; cell culture systems are commonly utilized. While&#160;these systems are relatively easy to work with, and are useful model systems in which various functional outcomes (such as cell death) can be readily quantified, the examined outcomes and pathways in cultured immature neurons (such as excitotoxicity-mediated cell death pathways) are not necessarily the same as those observed in mature brain, or in intact tissue. Therefore, there is the need to develop models in which cellular mechanisms in mature neural tissue can be examined. We have developed an in vitro technique that can be used to investigate a variety of molecular pathways in intact nervous tissue. The technique described herein utilizes rat cortical tissue, but this technique can be adapted to use tissue from a variety of species (such as mouse, rabbit, guinea pig, and chicken) or brain regions (for example, hippocampus, striatum, etc.). Additionally, a variety of stimulations/treatments can be used (for example, excitotoxic, administration of inhibitors, etc.). In conclusion, the brain slice model described herein can be used to examine a variety of molecular mechanisms involved in excitotoxicity-mediated brain injury.

Excitotoxic Stimulation of Brain Microslices as an In vitro Model of Stroke

We have developed a brain slice model which can be used to examine molecular mechanisms involved in excitotoxicity-mediated brain injury.&#160;This technique generates viable mature brain tissue and reduces animal numbers required for experimentation, whilst keeping the neuronal circuitry, cellular interactions, and postsynaptic compartments partly intact.

Examining molecular mechanisms involved in neuropathological conditions, such as ischemic stroke, can be difficult when using whole animal systems. As ...

Murine Corneal Transplantation: A Model to Study the Most Common Form of Solid Organ Transplantation

Corneal transplantation is the most common form of organ transplantation in the United States with between 45,000 and 55,000 procedures performed each year. While several animal models exist for this procedure and mice are the species that is most commonly used. The reasons for using mice are the relative cost of using this species, the existence of many genetically defined strains that allow for the study of immune responses, and the existence of an extensive array of reagents that can be used to further define responses in this species. This model has been used to define factors in the cornea that are responsible for the relative immune privilege status of this tissue that enables corneal allografts to survive acute rejection in the absence of immunosuppressive therapy. It has also been used to define those factors that are most important in rejection of such allografts. Consequently, much of what we know concerning mechanisms of both corneal allograft acceptance and rejection are due to studies using a murine model of corneal transplantation. In addition to describing a model for acute corneal allograft rejection, we also present for the first time a model of late-term corneal allograft rejection.

Mice have been used as a model for studying many forms of transplantation, including corneal transplantation. We describe in this report a murine model for both acute and late-term corneal transplantation.

Corneal transplantation is the most common form of organ transplantation in the United States with between 45,000 and 55,000 procedures performed each ...

Establishment of a Human Multiple Myeloma Xenograft Model in the Chicken to Study Tumor Growth, Invasion and Angiogenesis

Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant plasma cell disease, remains incurable and novel drugs are required to improve the prognosis of patients. Due to the lack of the bone microenvironment and auto/paracrine growth factors human MM cells are difficult to cultivate. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish proper in vitro and in vivo culture systems to study the action of novel therapeutics on human MM cells. Here we present a model to grow human multiple myeloma cells in a complex 3D environment in vitro and in vivo. MM cell lines OPM-2 and RPMI-8226 were transfected to express the transgene GFP and were cultivated in the presence of human mesenchymal cells and collagen type-I matrix as three-dimensional spheroids. In addition, spheroids were grafted on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken embryos and tumor growth was monitored by stereo fluorescence microscopy. Both models allow the study of novel therapeutic drugs in a complex 3D environment and the quantification of the tumor cell mass after homogenization of grafts in a transgene-specific GFP-ELISA. Moreover, angiogenic responses of the host and invasion of tumor cells into the subjacent host tissue can be monitored daily by a stereo microscope and analyzed by immunohistochemical staining against human tumor cells (Ki-67, CD138, Vimentin) or host mural cells covering blood vessels (desmin/ASMA).
In conclusion, the onplant system allows studying MM cell growth and angiogenesis in a complex 3D environment and enables screening for novel therapeutic compounds targeting survival and proliferation of MM cells.

Human multiple myeloma (MM) cells require the supportive microenvironment of mesenchymal cells and extracellular matrix components for survival and proliferation. We established an in vivo chicken embryo model with engrafted human myeloma and mesenchymal cells to study effects of cancer drugs on tumor growth, invasion and angiogenesis.

Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant plasma cell disease, remains incurable and novel drugs are required to improve the prognosis of patients. Due to the ...