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New technique for chest opening in mice: U-sternotomy
Sonja Schrepfer1, Tobias Deuse, Hermann Reichenspurner
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. sschrepfer@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Microsurgery
|July 2, 2003
Summary
A novel U-sternotomy technique safely accesses the mouse aorta for cardiac xenotransplantation research. This method reduces animal mortality and viral vector costs, crucial for gene modulation studies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Gene Therapy
- Xenotransplantation
Background:
- Recombinant adeno-associated viruses offer potential for cardiomyocyte genome modulation in cardiac xenotransplantation.
- Surface protein expression (TRAIL, hDAF, Il-10, Il-4, beta-galactosidase) may prevent cellular rejection.
- Detecting transgene expression after viral perfusion takes up to 4 weeks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a new, safer technique for intraaortic injection in mouse models.
- To overcome the challenge of lethal pneumothorax during aortic access.
- To reduce the cost associated with viral vector usage in transfection studies.
Main Methods:
- A novel U-sternotomy technique for chest opening was developed.
- The technique allows safe access to the mouse ascending aorta.
- The pleural space is not opened during the procedure.
Main Results:
- The U-sternotomy approach significantly reduces the risk of animal death.
- This method enables safe intraaortic injections without causing pneumothorax.
- Reduced animal mortality lowers the need for expensive viral solutions.
Conclusions:
- The described U-sternotomy is a safe and effective method for accessing the mouse ascending aorta.
- This technique is vital for advancing cardiac xenotransplantation research using viral gene delivery.
- Improved animal survival and reduced costs facilitate more reliable transfection protocols.