Protocol for Isolating the Mouse Circle of Willis

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.

Neurovascular description in the South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus (Chinchilloidea, Caviomorpha). A study involving evolutionarily related species of Caviomorpha and Muroidea

“…As part of this blood circulation system, the anastomotic system called Circulus arteriosus cerebri was first described by Dr. Thomas Willis in 1664 (Fenrich et al, 2021; García‐Porrero & Hurlé, 2015; Kenney, 1998; Lee, 1995). This system, the circle of Willis (CoW), is located in the ventral side of the brain surrounding the optic chiasm, the tuber cinereum, and the interpeduncular region (Hur et al, 2016; Malcom & Carpenter, 1994; Schaller, 2007), and works in its classical notion as a safe blood circulation system providing collateral flow between the rostral and caudal arterial systems of the brain, establishing alternative pathways between the left and right cerebral hemispheres, to ensure blood flow to the brain in case of arterial stenosis or occlusion (Goswami et al, 2020).…”