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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Protocol for Isolating the Mouse Circle of Willis
Published on: October 22, 2016
Protocol for Isolating the Mouse Circle of Willis
Justine Claire Hur1, Régis Blaise1, Isabelle Limon2
1UPMC Univ Paris 06, Sorbonne Universités.
Insights
A new method allows for the isolation of the circle of Willis (CoW) in mice. This technique aids in studying cerebrovascular disorders and identifying potential drug targets.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Medical Research
Background:
- The circle of Willis (CoW) is crucial for brain blood supply and implicated in cerebrovascular disorders.
- Understanding CoW molecular mechanisms requires suitable animal models for drug target identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a method for isolating the mouse circle of Willis (CoW).
- To highlight the utility of this method for molecular and ex vivo studies.
Main Methods:
- A described method for CoW isolation applicable to any mouse lineage.
- Adaptation of an organ bath system for ex vivo analysis.
Main Results:
- The method enables CoW isolation in mice.
- The technique is suitable for various screening studies on cerebrovasculature.
Conclusions:
- The described CoW isolation method is valuable for research into cerebrovascular diseases.
- This technique supports molecular screening and ex vivo studies for novel therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
The cerebral arterial circle (circulus arteriosus cerebri) or circle of Willis (CoW) is a circulatory anastomosis surrounding the optic chiasma and hypothalamus that supplies blood to the brain and surrounding structures. It has been implicated in several cerebrovascular disorders, including cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)-associated vasculopathies, intracranial atherosclerosis and intracranial aneurysms. Studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases for the identification of novel drug targets for their prevention require animal models. Some of these models may be transgenic, whereas others will involve isolation of the cerebro-vasculature, including the CoW.The method described here is suitable for CoW isolation in any mouse lineage and has considerable potential for screening (expression of genes, protein production, posttranslational protein modifications, secretome analysis, etc.) studies on the large vessels of the mouse cerebro-vasculature. It can also be used for ex vivo studies, by adapting the organ bath system developed for isolated mouse olfactory arteries.
