A novel mouse model of in situ stenting.
OBJECTIVE
Animal models of stenting are mostly limited to larger animals or involve substantial abdominal surgery in rodents. We aimed to develop a simple, direct model of murine stenting.


RESULTS
We designed a miniature, self-expanding, nitinol wire coil stent that was pre-loaded into a metal stent sheath. This was advanced into the abdominal aorta of the mouse, via femoral access, and the stent deployed. In-stent restenosis was investigated at 1, 3, 7, and 28 days post-stenting. The model was validated by investigation of neointima formation in mice deficient in signalling via the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R1), compared with other injury models. Ninety-two per cent of mice undergoing the procedure were successfully stented. All stented vessels were patent. Inflammatory cells were seen in the adventitia and around the stent strut up to 3 days post-stenting. At 3 days, an early neointima was present, building to a mature neointima at 28 days. In mice lacking IL-1R1, the neointima was 64% smaller than that in wild-type controls at the 28-day timepoint, in agreement with other models.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first description of a successful model of murine in situ stenting, using a stent specifically tailored for use in small thin-walled arteries. The procedure can be undertaken by a single operator without the need for an advanced level of microsurgical skill and is reliable and reproducible. The utility of this model is demonstrated by a reduction in in-stent restenosis in IL-1R1-deficient mice.
Chamberlain
Janet
J
Department of Cardiovascular Science, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK. j.chamberlain@sheffield.ac.uk
Wheatcroft
Mark
M
Arnold
Nadine
N
Lupton
Henry
H
Crossman
David C
DC
Gunn
Julian
J
Francis
Sheila
S
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology
D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1