Experimental Rat and Mouse Carotid Artery Surgery: Injury and Remodeling Studies

Abstract

In cardiovascular research, translation of benchtop findings to the whole body environment is often critical in order to gain a more thorough and comprehensive clinical evaluation of the data with direct extrapolation to the human condition. In particular, developmental and/or pathophysiologic vascular growth studies often employ in vitro approaches such as cultured cells or tissue explant models in order to analyze specific cellular, molecular, genetic and/or biochemical signaling factors under pristine controlled conditions. However, validation of in vitro data in a whole body setting complete with neural, endocrine and other systemic contributions provides essential proof-of-concept from a clinical perspective. Several well-characterized experimental in vivo models exist that provide excellent proof-of-concept tools with which to examine vascular growth and remodeling in the whole body. This article will examine the rat carotid artery balloon injury model, the mouse carotid artery wire denudation injury model, and rat and mouse carotid artery ligation models with particular emphasis on minimally invasive surgical access to the site of intervention. Discussion will include key scientific and technical details as well as caveats, limitations, and considerations for practical use for each of these valuable experimental models.

Systemic delivery of proresolving lipid mediators resolvin D 2 and maresin 1 attenuates intimal hyperplasia in mice

“…Confirming other reports, we demonstrate that the neointima formed in this model over the first several weeks is comprised primarily of VSMCs. Migration and proliferation of VSMCs occur as a downstream result of increased growth factor and inflammatory mediator availability (17, 32, 33). Other reports have demonstrated reduced neointimal hyperplasia in this model by targeting inflammation (34, 35).…”

Soluble guanylyl cyclase-activated cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase inhibits arterial smooth muscle cell migration independent of VASP-serine 239 phosphorylation

“…Carotid artery (CA) balloon injury was performed as previously described [33–36]. Briefly, male adult (age 6–10 months) Sprague-Dawley rats (Harlan, Indianapolis, IN) were anesthetized using an intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (90mg/ml)/xylazine (10 mg/mL) cocktail (1mL/kg) supplied by the Department of Comparative Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.…”

Resolution of vascular injury: Specialized lipid mediators and their evolving therapeutic implications

“…Ligation of the distal common carotid artery in mice produces profound alterations in flow dynamics proximally, leading to a extensive neointimal hyperplasia in the presence of an intact endothelium (Kumar and Lindner 1997, Holt and Tulis 2013). Petri and colleagues used this model to study the effects of aspirin-triggered lipoxin (ATL), with a focus on its signaling mechanism through the ALX receptor.…”