title: A murine model of lung ischemia and reperfusion injury: tricks of the trade.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) causes postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing lung transplantation, isolated lung perfusion, and cardiopulmonary bypass and may lead to potentially lethal pathologies such as respiratory shock. In-depth study of this pathology requires a reliable animal model. Mice are a popular species to develop experimental models because of their logistic advantages and the availability of knock outs. However, their small size warrants microsurgical techniques and a skilled surgeon.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a murine model of pulmonary anoxic IRI through hilar clamping using adult female Swiss mice. After left thoracotomy, we expose the pulmonary hilum keeping the ribs and the muscles of back and forepaw intact. A microvascular clamp is placed over the entire hilum, occluding bronchus, pulmonary artery, and vein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our model proved to be simple, reliable, and reproducible, showing minimal preoperative and postoperative mortality. Histopathologic analysis indicated all characteristic features of pulmonary IRI, such as an early recruitment of lymphocytes followed by neutrophil influx.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article presents a murine surgery model for pulmonary IRI based on a muscle-sparing thoracotomy. The minimal approach limits manipulation of lung tissue, minimizing mortality and non-IRI-induced injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium. Electronic address: jangielis@live.be.
authors.forename: Jan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Gielis
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplantation Surgery, Zürich University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jungraithmayr
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Gaëlle A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Boulet
authors.affiliation: Applied Molecular Biology Research Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: John Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bogers
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplantation Surgery, Zürich University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weder
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cos
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Paul E Y
authors.initials: PEY
authors.lastname: Van Schil
mesh_terms: D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Experimental model; Ischemia–reperfusion injury; Mouse; Pulmonary ischemia–reperfusion