Elastase-Induced Intracranial Dolichoectasia Model in Mice

Abstract

Elastase injection through the cisterna magna can induce intracranial dolichoectasia in mice. Fifteen to 25 mu of elastase is an appropriate dose to use with acceptable mortality.

Concomitant aneurysm detection in an intracranial dolichoectasia mouse model using a MicroFil polymer perfusion technique

“…The mouse model of IADE was induced as described earlier 5. Briefly, animals were anesthetized and the cisterna magna was exposed 8 9.…”

“…The control group (n=8) was followed up at 4 weeks. MicroFil perfusion was performed at follow-up as described earlier 5. Animals were anesthetized and median sternotomy and pericardiotomy were performed.…”

Differential Interstrain Susceptibility to Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia in a Mouse Model

“…The mouse model of VBD was induced as previously described. 6 Using a 10-L micro NanoFil syringe (World Precision Instruments, Sarasota, Florida) with a 36-ga beveled needle, we injected 25 mU of porcine elastase (Worthington Biochemical, Lakewood, New Jersey) in 2.5 L of phosphate-buffered saline (10 mU/L) into the cisterna magna under a dissection microscope. Control mice were injected with inactivated elastase.…”

“…The MICROFIL (Flow-Tech, Cockeysville, Maryland) perfusion was performed at follow-up as described previously. 6 After MICROFIL perfusion, the whole brain along with the cerebral vascular trees was harvested and fixed in 10% buffered formalin at room temperature at least 24 hours before imaging. Animals designated for zymography analysis were perfused with saline; the basilar artery was harvested at 14 days and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen (n ϭ 8 for each strain; n ϭ 4 for each control and test group).…”

“…We recently reported a preclinical model, in C57BL/6J mice, of VBD induced via microsurgical injection of porcine elastase into the cisterna magna to induce morphologic changes similar to human VBD. 6 The aims of the current study were to elucidate the morphologic and molecular differences in VBD between C57BL/6J and 129/SvEv (SV129) mouse strains.…”