The present protocol describes a mouse microsurgery infusion technique, which effectively delivers substances directly into the brain via the internal carotid artery.
Abstract
Animal models of central nervous system (CNS) diseases and, consequently, blood-brain barrier disruption diseases, require the delivery of exogenous substances into the brain. These exogenous substances may induce injurious impact or constitute therapeutic strategy. The most common delivery methods of exogenous substances into the brain are based on systemic deliveries, such as subcutaneous or intravenous routes. Although commonly used, these approaches have several limitations, including low delivery efficacy into the brain. In contrast, surgical methods that locally deliver substances into the CNS are more specific and prevent the uptake of the exogenous substances by other organs. Several surgical methods for CNS delivery are available; however, they tend to be very traumatic. Here, we describe a mouse infusion microsurgery technique, which effectively delivers substances into the brain via the internal carotid artery, with minimal trauma and no interference with normal CNS functionality.
We would like to thank Dr. Lei Chen (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY) who first established the use of this model in our laboratory, and to Dr. Gretchen Wolff (German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany) for disseminating the technique in our laboratory. Supported in part by HL126559, DA039576, MH098891, MH63022, MH072567, DA027569, and NSC 2015/17/B/NZ7/02985.
Materials
Anesthesia instrument
Vetequip
901806
Surgical scissors
Fine Science Tool
14558-09
Surgical forceps straight tip
Fine Science Tool
00108-11
Surgical forceps angled tip
Fine Science Tool
00109-11
Spring scissors
Fine Science Tool
15000-08
Nylon suture
Braintree Scientific
SUT-S 104
Capillary tubing (Micro-Renathane 0.010” x 0.005” per ft.)
Leda, A. R., Dygert, L., Bertrand, L., Toborek, M. Mouse Microsurgery Infusion Technique for Targeted Substance Delivery into the CNS via the Internal Carotid Artery. J. Vis. Exp. (119), e54804, doi:10.3791/54804 (2017).