Parabiosis in mice: a detailed protocol
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Updated: May 6, 2026
Parabiosis in Mice: A Detailed Protocol
Published on: October 6, 2013
Paniz Kamran1, Konstantina-Ioanna Sereti, Peng Zhao
1Department of Medicine-Division of Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Abstract:
Parabiosis is a surgical union of two organisms allowing sharing of the blood circulation. Attaching the skin of two animals promotes formation of microvasculature at the site of inflammation. Parabiotic partners share their circulating antigens and thus are free of adverse immune reaction. First described by Paul Bert in 1864(1), the parabiosis surgery was refined by Bunster and Meyer in 1933 to improve animal survival(2). In the current protocol, two mice are surgically joined following a modification of the Bunster and Meyer technique. Animals are connected through the elbow and knee joints followed by attachment of the skin allowing firm support that prevents strain on the sutured skin. Herein, we describe in detail the parabiotic joining of a ubiquitous GFP expressing mouse to a wild type (WT) mouse. Two weeks after the procedure, the pair is separated and GFP positive cells can be detected by flow cytometric analysis in the blood circulation of the WT mouse. The blood chimerism allows one to examine the contribution of the circulating cells from one animal in the other.
Insights
Parabiosis surgery connects two mice, enabling blood circulation sharing. This method allows researchers to track how cells from one mouse contribute to the other, revealing insights into circulating cell behavior.
Area of Science:
- Surgical techniques
- Immunology
- Cell biology
Background:
- Parabiosis, the surgical joining of two organisms, facilitates shared blood circulation and antigen exchange.
- Historical refinement of parabiosis surgery by Bunster and Meyer improved animal survival rates.
- The technique involves surgically connecting mice at limb joints and skin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail a modified parabiosis protocol for joining GFP-expressing and wild-type (WT) mice.
- To demonstrate the detection of circulating GFP-positive cells in WT mice post-parabiosis.
- To establish a method for examining the contribution of circulating cells between parabiotic partners.
Main Methods:
- Surgical joining of two mice (one GFP-expressing, one WT) using a modified Bunster and Meyer technique.
- Connection at elbow and knee joints with skin attachment for stability.
- Separation of parabiotic pairs after two weeks.
- Flow cytometric analysis to detect GFP-positive cells in WT mouse circulation.
Main Results:
- Successful surgical joining and survival of parabiotic mouse pairs.
- Detection of GFP-positive cells in the blood circulation of WT mice after separation.
- Demonstration of blood chimerism between the parabiotic partners.
Conclusions:
- The described parabiosis protocol is effective for creating stable surgical unions in mice.
- This method enables the study of circulating cell contributions between genetically distinct animals.
- Parabiosis serves as a valuable tool for investigating cell trafficking and immune interactions.
