title: Evaluation of postnatal arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in a mouse model of hind-limb ischemia.
abstract: Blood vessel growth in adult organisms involves the following two fundamental processes: angiogenesis, the proliferation and extension of capillary networks; and arteriogenesis, the growth of functional arteries. We provide a protocol for the evaluation of postnatal arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in a mouse model of hind-limb ischemia. Surgical ligation of the femoral artery at a specific site triggers arteriogenesis of small, pre-existing collateral arteries into functional conduit vessels proximally and ischemic angiogenesis distally. The vascular response to hind-limb ischemia can be readily evaluated by laser Doppler-based perfusion measurements, histological quantification of arteriogenesis and angiogenesis or whole-mount visualization of arteries in limb muscles. Depending on the experimental design, the protocol takes between 4 and 29 d to complete; however, the net working time is about 2 d per mouse. The concurrent and specific analysis of postnatal angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in the same animal is a unique feature of the protocol.
authors.affiliation: Junior Research Group Regenerative Agents, Excellence Cluster Rebirth, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. limbourg.anne@mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Limbourg
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Korff
authors.forename: L Christian
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Napp
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schaper
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Drexler
authors.forename: Florian P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Limbourg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D055420:Perfusion Imaging / Q000379:methods