Evaluation of postnatal arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in a mouse model of hind-limb ischemia.
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.
Limbourg
Anne
A
Junior Research Group Regenerative Agents, Excellence Cluster Rebirth, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. limbourg.anne@mh-hannover.de
Korff
Thomas
T
Napp
L Christian
LC
Schaper
Wolfgang
W
Drexler
Helmut
H
Limbourg
Florian P
FP
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