The evolution of the device started with somewhat different cutting prototype demonstrated at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) mouse club by Bass Hassan, following this there were several discussions with Rob Rudling and Nikki Mandir in the containment facility at ICRF Clare Hall. Jo Kitau of the mechanical workshop at ICRF constructed the initial versions and Andy Lucas designed and perfected the final model in the CRUK workshop in Oxford.

The various experimental procedures and the humane euthanasia are approved by the host institutions ethical committee and by the appropriate regulatory bodies. Euthanasia is normally achieved using CO2 asphyxiation followed by cervical dislocation.
1. Device
<ol>
	<li>Machine the main portion of the base of the device from out of a solid block of high-density acetyl resin, as described in this manuscript. At each end create 3 mm high-elevated strips, and part machine out of these 2.5 mm groves to take the rods (see Figure 2 and Figure 3).</li>
	<li>Make rods from a 2.4 mm diameter stainless steel with rounded-off ends. 
	NOTE: The main frame of the lid was machined out of Duralumin plate. A limited number of finished devices are available from Dr. Goodlad.</li>
</ol>
2. Use of the Device
<ol>
	<li>Dissect out the small intestine and colon from the abdominal cavity using scissors and gloved fingers. Remove the mesentery by holding it with curved forceps and gently pulling it away from the intestine.</li>
	<li>Rinse the intestines with cold phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) using a Gilson type pipette tip, which had been cut down at its wider end so that it can fit onto a 10 or 20 ml luer fitting plastic syringe.</li>
	<li>Lay out the small bowel (SB) on to a sheet of paper towel and divide into three equal sections in length (proximal, mid, and distal &#8211; SB1, SB2 and SB3) using scissors. Remove the cecum and lay out the colon.</li>
	<li>Make several very small cuts into the intestinal segments with scissors to allow the fluid to escape and place a sheet of paper towel over the intestines and gently run a finger over the preparations to squeeze out the fluid and blot dry.</li>
	<li>Lift the sections and insert the stainless steel rods that were previously wetted by soaking in a beaker of phosphate buffered saline. 
	NOTE: The intestine can be inverted if so desired (turned inside out).</li>
	<li>Label a piece of card or filter paper cut to size to fit into the base of the device. Pencil is best, as it is unaffected by virtually all solutions. Autopsy date, experimental code and animal identification number are suggested.</li>
	<li>Place the card or filter paper into the base of the device. Insert the rods and intestines into the slots in the base of the device. Make sure the proximal end of the segments is positioned in a standardized manner. The proximal ends should be near the card labels.</li>
	<li>Place the top piece of the device over the base. Use the angled bars to guide a scalpel blade to longitudinally cut the sections. 
	NOTE: It helps if the tissue is gently and carefully held with a finger to ensure that it does not move with the knife.</li>
	<li>Remove the top piece of the device. Carefully remove the filter paper and tissues (still on their rods). 
	NOTE: A piece of stiff card placed underneath the filter paper will aid lifting.</li>
	<li>Slightly wet (with a gloved fingertip dipped in PBS) the segments. Roll the rod, side to side to open up the gut and spread it flat. The tissue will then adhere to the filter paper.</li>
	<li>Visually examine the preparations for any gross lesions.</li>
	<li>Transfer the tissue adhered to the filter paper to a shallow bath (or sandwich box) containing fixative. 
	NOTE: After the tissue adheres to the filter paper or to card it will remain firmly attached. A wide range of fixatives can be used to preserve the preparation. It is recommended that Carnoy&#8217;s fluid should be used for the study of intestinal cell proliferations6, which is the ideal fixation for the best cell proliferation methods; however formalin or many other fixatives can also be used if other endpoints are required.</li>
	<li>After fixation (usually 3 hr), transfer the preparations into 70% ethanol. The samples can then be stored until required. The preparations can be studied en face and/or used for the preparation of histological samples for H&#38;E or other histological staining techniques, immunohistochemistry and/or in situ hybridization. 
	NOTE: Prolonged fixation can reduce immunohistochemical reactivity and/or in situ hybridization reactivity. Polypropylene sandwich boxes are ideal for storing a large number of the preparations.</li>
	<li>If required the fixed tissues from the various intestinal segments can be made into &#8216;Swiss rolls&#8217; and stained with the entire range of histological methods6 including those described above. To make a &#8216;Swiss roll&#8217; the intestinal segments are removed from the filter paper, rolled around a cocktail stick or a toothpick, secured with an entomological pin and processed for wax embedding6.</li>
	<li>If required, stain the bulk tissue with methylene blue to visualize aberrant crypt foci7.</li>
	<li>Score the fixed preparations at leisure.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Goodlad, R. A., Alison, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=+Cancer+Handbook."> Cancer Handbook.</a> , 243-262 (2007).</li><li>Ward, J. M., Treuting, P. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rodent+intestinal+epithelial+carcinogenesis:+pathology+and+preclinical+models.">Rodent intestinal epithelial carcinogenesis: pathology and preclinical models.</a> Toxicol Pathol. 42, 148-161 (2014).</li><li>Sundberg, J. P., Hogenesch, H., Nikitin, A. Y., Treuting, P. M., Ward, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Training+mouse+pathologists:+ten+years+of+workshops+on+the+Pathology+of+Mouse+Models+of+Human+Disease.">Training mouse pathologists: ten years of workshops on the Pathology of Mouse Models of Human Disease.</a> Toxicol Pathol. 40, 823-825 (2012).</li><li>Wasan, H. S., Novelli, M., Bee, J., Bodmer, W. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dietary+fat+influences+on+polyp+phenotype+in+multiple+intestinal+neoplasia+mice.">Dietary fat influences on polyp phenotype in multiple intestinal neoplasia mice.</a> Proc Natl Acade Sci USA. 94, 3308-3313 (1997).</li><li>Rudling, R., Hassan, A. B., Kitau, J., Mandir, N., Goodlad, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+simple+device+to+rapidly+prepare+whole+mounts+of+murine+intestine.">A simple device to rapidly prepare whole mounts of murine intestine.</a> Cell Prolif. 39, 415-420 (2006).</li><li>Alferez, D., Goodlad, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=To+best+measure+cell+proliferation+in+samples+from+the+intestine.">To best measure cell proliferation in samples from the intestine.</a> Cell Prolif. 40, 231-240 (2007).</li><li>Park, H. S., Goodlad, R. A., Wright, N. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+incidence+of+aberrant+crypt+foci+and+colonic+carcinoma+in+dimethylhydrazine-treated+rats+varies+in+a+site-specific+manner+and+depends+on+tumor+histology.">The incidence of aberrant crypt foci and colonic carcinoma in dimethylhydrazine-treated rats varies in a site-specific manner and depends on tumor histology.</a> Cancer Res. 57, 4507-4510 (1997).</li><li>Park, H. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+epidermal+growth+factor+and+dimethylhydrazine+on+crypt+size,+cell+proliferation,+and+crypt+fission+in+the+rat+colon.+Cell+proliferation+and+crypt+fission+are+controlled+independently.">Effects of epidermal growth factor and dimethylhydrazine on crypt size, cell proliferation, and crypt fission in the rat colon. Cell proliferation and crypt fission are controlled independently.</a> Am J Pathol. 151, 843-852 (1997).</li><li>Femia, A. P., Dolara, P., Caderni, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mucin-depleted+foci+(MDF)+in+the+colon+of+rats+treated+with+azoxymethane+(AOM)+are+useful+biomarkers+for+colon+carcinogenesis.">Mucin-depleted foci (MDF) in the colon of rats treated with azoxymethane (AOM) are useful biomarkers for colon carcinogenesis.</a> Carcinogenesis. 25, 277-281 (2004).</li><li>Ruehl-Fehlert, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Revised+guides+for+organ+sampling+and+trimming+in+rats+and+mice--part+1.">Revised guides for organ sampling and trimming in rats and mice--part 1.</a> Exp Toxicol Pathol. 55, 91-106 (2003).</li><li>Goodlad, R. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inhibiting+vascular+endothelial+growth+factor+receptor-2+signaling+reduces+tumor+burden+in+the+ApcMin/++mouse+model+of+early+intestinal+cancer.">Inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 signaling reduces tumor burden in the ApcMin/+ mouse model of early intestinal cancer.</a> Carcinogenesis. 27, 2133-2139 (2006).</li><li>Mandir, N., Englyst, H., Goodlad, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Resistant+carbohydrates+stimulate+cell+proliferation+and+crypt+fission+in+wild-type+mice+and+in+the+Apc(Min/+)+mouse+model+of+intestinal+cancer,+association+with+enhanced+polyp+development.">Resistant carbohydrates stimulate cell proliferation and crypt fission in wild-type mice and in the Apc(Min/+) mouse model of intestinal cancer, association with enhanced polyp development.</a> Br J Nutr. 100, 711-721 (2008).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

The device greatly speeds up the process so that two operators can fully autopsy a mouse within 6 min. This will include a visual check for obvious gross lesions and weighing and fixing the major organs. It will also allow the operators to rinse, blot and weigh the stomach, caecum, small intestine and colon and prepare the whole mounts. The flattened tissue can be fixed very quickly and thus avoid degradation artifacts.
One of the major advantages of the device (apart from speed) is that the d...

The mouse and the genetically modified mouse1-3 are an invaluable model for the study of various pathologies especially cancer and its relationship to inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This often requires the preparation of whole mounts of the small intestine and/or colon.
The preparation of whole mounts can be done with a precision pair of offset scissors but it can take about 20 min&#160;per mouse4. This is not very practical for comparative studies, which require a significant amount of mice (say 10 per group subject to statistical analysis). In addition, the length of time taken increases the risk of tissue degradation. An attempt to alleviate this problem led to the trial of various cutting preparation aids. The first was based on a series of metal plates, with cutting groves, but the plates obscured the tissue and the cutting was thus difficult to control.
A conventional six-sided pencil finally provided inspiration for the cutting device, as we could then see how a half pencil shape would make a good guide for a scalpel (Figure 1). This resulted in a design for a frame with four cutting guides5. The effectiveness of this device was dramatic as the preparations in Figure 4 demonstrate the difference between the scissor preparation and the device preparation.
The tops of the original devices was constructed from several pieces of metal, but later ones, and the current model was machined out of a solid piece of Duralumin. The base was machined out of highest quality high-density resin.
The device has proved to be of great use for the preparation of whole mounts of mouse intestine as it greatly speeds up and improves the quality and consistency of the preparations, which have a wide range of applications.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Delrin</td>
			<td>Ryan Plastics, Earls Barton, UK</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>High-density acetal resin similar material would suffice</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Duralumin plate</td>
			<td>Metal Supplies Ltd, Park Road,Dukinfield. SK16 5LP UK</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Aluminium allow dating back to 1909 so alterative suppliers are available&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Finished device(s) ready for use</td>
			<td>Contact Dr Goodlad&#160; r.goodlad@imperial.ac.uk</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Contact&#160; r.goodlad@imperial.ac.uk&#160; for supply details</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a simple device to rapidly prepare whole mounts of the mouse intestine

Preparing whole mounts of the mouse small intestine and colon for subsequent analysis or quantification can be time consuming and difficult. We describe the use of a simple device to cut and &#8216;roll&#8217; mouse intestines to rapidly prepare whole mount preparations of superior and uniform quality to that which can be achieved by hand. The device comprises a base that holds 4 stainless steel rods and a top, which acts a cutting guide. The rods are inserted into the lumen of the small intestine [divided into thirds] and the colon. The rods and samples are then placed over a piece of filter paper or card into the holding slots in the base of the device. The top of the device is then positioned and serves as a cutting guide. The two angled sections in the center of the top piece are used to guide a knife or scalpel and cut the intestines longitudinally on the top of the rods. Once the intestinal sections have been cut, the top is removed and the card,&#160;tissue and rods gently removed from the device and placed on the bench. The rods are then gently rolled sideways to flatten and stick the intestinal segments onto the underlying piece of filter paper or card. The final preparation can then be examined or fixed and stored for later analysis. The preparations are invaluable for the study of intestinal changes in normal or genetically modified mouse models. The preparations have been used for the study and quantification of the effects of inflammation (colitis), damage, pre-cancerous lesions (aberrant crypt foci (ACFs) and mucin depleted foci (MDFs)) and polyps or tumors.

Polyps are easy to identify under a stereomicroscope with a cold light source to side illuminate the tissue (Figure 4). It is helpful to mark the card with pencil marks when a polyp is observed in order that scoring can be discussed later and different operators can reach agreement. The tissue can also be bulk stained [with methylene blue] to identify aberrant crypt foci8 or mucin depleted foci (MDFs)9 by illumination from above or by trans illumination (Figure 5).<...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Simple Device to Rapidly Prepare Whole Mounts of the Mouse Intestine at JoVE.com

A Simple Device to Rapidly Prepare Whole Mounts of the Mouse Intestine

The use of a simple device to cut and &#8216;roll&#8217; mouse intestines to rapidly prepare whole mount preparations is described.

Preparing whole mounts of the mouse small intestine and colon for subsequent analysis or quantification can be time consuming and difficult. We describe ...

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19.5K Views.  National Institutes of Health. The use of a simple device to cut and ‘roll’ mouse intestines to rapidly prepare whole mount preparations is described.

Video: A Simple Device to Rapidly Prepare Whole Mounts of the Mouse Intestine

Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1&beta; using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay

Inflammatory processes resulting from the secretion of soluble mediators by immune cells, lead to various manifestations in skin, joints and other tissues as well as altered cytokine homeostasis. The innate immune system plays a crucial role in recognizing pathogens and other endogenous danger stimuli. One of the major cytokines released by innate immune cells is Interleukin (IL)-1. Therefore, we utilize a whole blood stimulation assay in order to measure the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and specifically of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1&beta; 1, 2, 3.
Patients with genetic dysfunctions of the innate immune system causing autoinflammatory syndromes show an exaggerated release of mature IL-1&beta; upon stimulation with LPS alone. In order to evaluate the innate immune component of patients who present with inflammatory-associated pathologies, we use a specific immunoassay to detect cellular immune responses to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as the gram-negative bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These PAMPs are recognized by pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs), which are found on the cells of the innate immune system 4, 5, 6, 7. A primary signal, LPS, in conjunction with a secondary signal, ATP, is necessary for the activation of the inflammasome, a multiprotein complex that processes pro-IL-1&beta; to its mature, bioactive form 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.
The whole blood assay requires minimal sample manipulation to assess cytokine production when compared to other methods that require labor intensive isolation and culturing of specific cell populations. This method differs from other whole blood stimulation assays; rather than diluting samples with a ratio of RPMI media, we perform a white blood cell count directly from diluted whole blood and therefore, stimulate a known number of white blood cells in culture 2. The results of this particular whole blood assay demonstrate a novel technique useful in elucidating patient cohorts presenting with autoinflammatory pathophysiologies.

Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1&amp;#946; using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay

We describe a simple immunoassay to measure the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1 beta production, in patients presenting with autoinflammatory phenotypes. By activating cells in whole blood cultures with pathogen-associated molecular patterns, specifically with lipopolysaccharide, cytokine secretion can be conveniently evaluated in whole blood supernatants.

Inflammatory processes resulting from the secretion of soluble mediators by immune cells, lead to various manifestations in skin, joints and other tissues ...

A Simple Method of Mouse Lung Intubation

A simple procedure to intubate mice for pulmonary function measurements would have several advantages in longitudinal studies with limited numbers or expensive animal. One of the reasons that this is not done more routinely is that it is relatively difficult, despite there being several published studies that describe ways to achieve it. In this paper we demonstrate a procedure that eliminates one of the major hurdles associated with this intubation, that of visualizing the trachea during the entire time of intubation. The approach uses a 0.5 mm fiberoptic light source that serves as an introducer to direct the intubation cannula into the mouse trachea. We show that it is possible to use this procedure to measure lung mechanics in individual mice over a time course of at least several weeks. The technique can be set up with relatively little expense and expertise, and it can be routinely accomplished with relatively little training. This should make it possible for any laboratory to routinely carry out this intubation, thereby allowing longitudinal studies in individual mice, thereby minimizing the number of mice needed and increasing the statistical power by using each mouse as its own control.

This paper describes a striaghforward and efficient method of intubating mice for pulmonary function measurements or pulmonary instillation, that allows the mice to recover and be studied at later times. The procedure involves an inexpensive fiberoptic light source that directly illuminates the trachea.

A  simple procedure to intubate mice for pulmonary function measurements would  have several advantages in longitudinal studies with limited numbers or  ...

Isolating and Using Sections of Bovine Mesenteric Artery and Vein as a Bioassay to Test for Vasoactivity in the Small Intestine

Mammalian gastrointestinal systems are constantly exposed to compounds (desirable and undesirable) that can have an effect on blood flow to and from that system. Changes in blood flow to the small intestine can result in effects on the absorptive functions of the organ. Particular interest in toxins liberated from feedstuffs through fermentative and digestive processes has developed in ruminants as an area where productive efficiencies could be improved. The video associated with this article describes an in vitro bioassay developed to screen compounds for vasoactivity in isolated cross-sections of bovine mesenteric artery and vein using a multimyograph. Once the blood vessels are mounted and equilibrated in the myograph, the bioassay itself can be used: as a screening tool to evaluate the contractile response or vasoactivity of compounds of interest; determine the presence of receptor types by pharmacologically targeting receptors with specific agonists; determine the role of a receptor with the presence of one or more antagonists; or determine potential interactions of compounds of interest with antagonists. Through all of this, data are collected real-time, tissue collected from a single animal can be exposed to a large number of different experimental treatments (an in vitro advantage), and represents vasculature on either side of the capillary bed to provide an accurate picture of what could be happening in the afferent and efferent blood supply supporting the small intestine.

The small intestine is frequently exposed to toxins that can influence blood flow and negatively impact nutrient absorption. Using a multimyograph and mesenteric artery and vein isolates, compounds or toxins of interest can be screened for vasoactivity.

Mammalian gastrointestinal systems are constantly exposed to compounds (desirable and undesirable) that can have an effect on blood flow to and from that ...

A Simple Critical-sized Femoral Defect Model in Mice

While bone has a remarkable capacity for regeneration, serious bone trauma often results in damage that does not properly heal. In fact, one tenth of all limb bone fractures fail to heal completely due to the extent of the trauma, disease, or age of the patient. Our ability to improve bone regenerative strategies is critically dependent on the ability to mimic serious bone trauma in test animals, but the generation and stabilization of large bone lesions is technically challenging. In most cases, serious long bone trauma is mimicked experimentally by establishing a defect that will not naturally heal. This is achieved by complete removal of a bone segment that is larger than 1.5 times the diameter of the bone cross-section. The bone is then stabilized with a metal implant to maintain proper orientation of the fracture edges and allow for mobility. 
Due to their small size and the fragility of their long bones, establishment of such lesions in mice are beyond the capabilities of most research groups. As such, long bone defect models are confined to rats and larger animals. Nevertheless, mice afford significant research advantages in that they can be genetically modified and bred as immune-compromised strains that do not reject human cells and tissue.
Herein, we demonstrate a technique that facilitates the generation of a segmental defect in mouse femora using standard laboratory and veterinary equipment. With practice, fabrication of the fixation device and surgical implantation is feasible for the majority of trained veterinarians and animal research personnel. Using example data, we also provide methodologies for the quantitative analysis of bone healing for the model.

Animal models are frequently employed to mimic serious bone injury in biomedical research. Due to their small size, establishment of stabilized bone lesions in mice are beyond the capabilities of most research groups. Herein, we describe a simple method for establishing and analyzing experimental femoral defects in mice.

While bone has a remarkable capacity for regeneration, serious bone trauma often results in damage that does not properly heal. In fact, one tenth of all ...

A Simple Mechanical Procedure to Create Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in Mouse

Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is a state of malfunction or loss of limbal epithelial stem cells, after which the corneal epithelium is replaced with conjunctiva. Patients suffer from recurrent corneal defects, pain, inflammation, and loss of vision.
Previously, a murine model of LSCD was described and compared to two other models. The goal was to produce a consistent mouse model of LSCD that both mimics the phenotype in humans and lasts long enough to make it possible to study the disease pathophysiology and to evaluate new treatments. Here, the technique is described in more detail.
A motorized tool with a rotating burr has been designed to remove the rust rings from the corneal surface or to smooth the pterygium bed in patients. It is a suitable device to create the desired LSCD model. It is a readily available, easy-to-use tool with a fine tip that makes it appropriate for working on small eyes, as in mice. Its application prevents unnecessary trauma to the eye and it does not result in unwanted injuries, as often is the case with chemical injury models. As opposed to a blunt scraper, it removes the epithelium with the basement membrane. In this protocol, the limbal area was abraded two times, and then the whole corneal epithelium was shaved from limbus to limbus. To avoid stroma injury, care was taken not to brush the corneal surface once the epithelium was already removed.

The following article provides an easy, reproducible technique to effectively create a sustainable mouse model of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). This animal model is useful in testing and comparing the efficacy of treatments for limbal stem cell diseases.

Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is a state of malfunction or loss of limbal epithelial stem cells, after which the corneal epithelium is replaced with ...

Ultrasound-guided Intracardiac Injection of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Increase Homing to the Intestine for Use in Murine Models of Experimental Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Crohn&#39;s disease (CD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the small and large intestines. Murine and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunosuppressive potential and have been shown to suppress inflammation in mouse models of intestinal inflammation, even though the route of administration can limit their homing and effectiveness 1,3,4,5. Local application of MSCs to colonic injury models has shown greater efficacy at ameliorating inflammation in the colon. However, there is paucity of data on techniques to enhance the localization of human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hMSCs) to the small intestine, the site of inflammation in the SAMP-1/YitFc (SAMP) model of experimental Crohn&#39;s disease. This work describes a novel technique for the ultrasound-guided intracardiac injection of hMSCs in SAMP mice, a well-characterized spontaneous model of chronic intestinal inflammation. Sex- and age-matched, inflammation-free AKR/J (AKR) mice were used as controls. To analyze the biodistribution and the localization, hMSCs were transduced with a lentivirus containing a triple reporter. The triple reporter consisted of firefly luciferase (fl), for bioluminescent imaging; monomeric red fluorescent protein (mrfp), for cell sorting; and truncated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (ttk), for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The results of this study show that 24 h after the intracardiac administration, hMSCs localize in the small intestine of SAMP mice as opposed to inflammation-free AKR mice. This novel, ultrasound-guided injection of hMSCs in the left ventricle of SAMP mice ensures a high success rate of cell delivery, allowing for the rapid recovery of mice with minimal morbidity and mortality. This technique could be a useful method for the enhanced localization of MSCs in other models of small-intestinal inflammation, such as TNF&#916;RE6. Future studies will determine if the increased localization of hMSCs by intra-arterial delivery can lead to increased therapeutic efficacy.

Murine studies in models of colonic inflammation have demonstrated that a small percentage (1 - 5%) of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) injected intravenously or intraperitoneally home to the inflamed colon1,2. This study shows that ultrasound-guided intracardiac injections of MSCs result in increased localization to the intestine.

Crohn&#39;s disease (CD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the small and large intestines. Murine and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have ...

Ileectomy-induced Bile Overaccumulation in Mouse Intestine

Intestinal resection is a common therapeutic approach for human diseases such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and colon cancer that often results in severe short bowel syndrome-like adverse effects including bile acid diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and nutrient malabsorption. Here we introduce a murine ileal resection model, termed ileectomy, to evaluate tissue communication and the maintenance of systemic homeostasis. After ileal resection, circulating blood is permanently devoid of the ileum-specific endocrine hormone fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15), which releases its endocrinal inhibition of bile acid synthesis in the liver. In combination with the increased production and abolished reabsorption of bile acids after removing the ileum, mice that underwent surgery suffer from bile salt overaccumulation in the intestine and associated diarrhea, morbidity, and mortality. Novel usage of the surgery model introduced in this study may provide mechanistic and functional insights into ileal control of systemic metabolic regulation in physiology and disease.

Small intestine-dependent bile acid reabsorption and feedback inhibition of hepatic bile acid synthesis is important for systemic homeostasis and health. In this study, we describe a mouse model for ileal resection to evaluate ileectomy-induced bile malabsorption, overaccumulation, and toxicity in mouse intestine.

Intestinal resection is a common therapeutic approach for human diseases such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and colon cancer ...

Mechanisms Underlying Gut Hormone Secretion Using the Isolated Perfused Rat Small Intestine

The gut is the largest endocrine organ of the body, producing more than 15 different peptide hormones that regulate appetite and food intake, digestion, nutrient absorption and distribution, and post-prandial glucose excursions. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate gut hormone secretion is fundamental for understanding and translating gut hormone physiology. Traditionally, the mechanisms underlying gut hormone secretion are either studied in vivo (in experimental animals or humans) or using gut hormone-secreting primary mucosal cell cultures or cell lines. Here, we introduce an isolated perfused rat small intestine as an alternative method for studying gut hormone secretion. The virtues of this model are that it relies on the intact gut, meaning that it recapitulates most of the physiologically important parameters responsible for the secretion in in vivo studies, including mucosal polarization, paracrine relationships and routes of perfusion/stimulus exposure. In addition, and unlike in vivo studies, the isolated perfused rat small intestine allows for almost complete experimental control and direct assessment of secretion. In contrast to in vitro studies, it is possible to study both the magnitude and the dynamics of secretion and to address important questions, such as what stimuli cause secretion of different gut hormones, from which side of the gut (luminal or vascular) is secretion stimulated, and to analyze in detail molecular sensors underlying the secretory response. In addition, the preparation is a powerful model for the study of intestinal absorption and details regarding the dynamics of intestinal absorption including the responsible transporters.

Here, we present a powerful and physiological model to study the molecular mechanisms underlying gut hormone secretion and intestinal absorption &#8212; the isolated perfused rat small intestine.

The gut is the largest endocrine organ of the body, producing more than 15 different peptide hormones that regulate appetite and food intake, digestion, ...

A Modified Simple Method for Induction of Myocardial Infarction in Mice

Myocardial infarction (MI) represents one of the leading causes of death. MI models are widely used for investigating the pathomechanisms of post-MI remodeling and evaluation of novel therapeutics. Different methods (e.g., isoproterenol treatment, cryoinjury, coronary artery ligation, etc.) have been used to induce MI. Compared with isoproterenol treatment and cryoinjury, coronary artery ligation may better reflect the ischemic response and chronic remodeling after MI. However, traditional methods for coronary ligation in mice are technically challenging. The current study describes a simple and efficient process for induction of MI in mice with readily available materials. The mouse chest skin was cut open under stable anesthesia. The heart was immediately externalized through the intercostal space after blunt separation of the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. The left anterior descending branch (LAD) was ligated with a 6-0 suture 3 mm from its origin. Following LAD ligation, staining with 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) indicated successful induction of MI and temporal changes of post-MI scar size. Meanwhile, survival analysis results showed overt mortality within 7 days after MI, mainly due to cardiac rupture. Moreover, post-MI echocardiographic assessment demonstrated successful induction of contractile dysfunction and ventricular remodeling. Once mastered, an MI model can be established in mice within 2-3 min with readily available materials.

Under adequate anesthesia, the mouse heart was externalized through the intercostal space, and myocardial infarction was successfully induced by ligating the left anterior descending artery (LAD) using materials readily available in most laboratories.

Myocardial infarction (MI) represents one of the leading causes of death. MI models are widely used for investigating the pathomechanisms of post-MI ...

Application of Optical Coherence Tomography to a Mouse Model of Retinopathy

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers a noninvasive method for the diagnosis of retinopathy. The OCT machine can capture retinal crosssectional images from which the retinal thickness can be calculated. Although OCT is widely used in clinical practice, its application in basic research is not as prevalent, especially in small animals such as mice. Because of the small size of their eyeballs, it is challenging to conduct fundus imaging examinations in mice. Therefore, a specialized retinal imaging system is required to accommodate OCT imaging on small animals. This article demonstrates a small-animal-specific system for OCT examination procedures and a detailed method for image analysis. The results of retinal OCT examination of very-low-density lipoprotein receptor (Vldlr) knockout mice and C57BL/6J mice are presented. The OCT images of C57BL/6J mice showed retinal layers, while those of Vldlr knockout mice showed subretinal neovascularization and retinal thinning. In summary, OCT examination could facilitate the noninvasive detection and measurement of retinopathy in mouse models.

Here, we describe an in vivo imaging technique using optical coherence tomography to facilitate the diagnosis and quantitative measurement of retinopathy in mice.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers a noninvasive method for the diagnosis of retinopathy. The OCT machine can capture retinal crosssectional images ...