Kosin Med J.  2012 Dec;27(2):141-149. 10.7180/kmj.2012.27.2.141.

The Study of Animal Model of Lymphedema Using the Mouse Tail

• Jeong HJ
• Hwang KH
• Sim YJ
• Kim GC
• Kim YO
• Baek SM

• KMID: 2308523
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.2012.27.2.141

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the time course of the development of acquired and experimental lymphedema.
METHODS
We studied an experimental model of acute post - surgical lymphedema in the tails of female hairless mice. The procedures that remove the skin and subcutaneous tissue in tails of the mice (5-10 mm from tail base) were performed, and then the murine has acquired lymphatic insufficiency. We measured volume of the tails in 2 times per week for 5 weeks, histological biopsy, and lymphoscintigraphy to assess lymphatic flow.
RESULTS
There was gradually increased volume of the tails and observed twice volume at post - surgical 18 days. In lymphoscintigraphy, we identified decreased lymphatic flow and dermal back flow in the tails. Histological biopsy showed inflammatory response that was edema and increased neutrophils in epidermis and subdermis, and lymphatic microvascular dilatation.
CONCLUSIONS
We have a mouse model of acute acquired lymphedema. This post - surgical murine tail model of lymphedema can be used to simulate an attribute of human lymphedema and provides knowledge about functional and structural alterations of lymphedema.

Keyword

Animal model; Lymphedema; Pathologic findings

MeSH Terms

Animals
Biopsy
Edema
Epidermis
Female
Humans
Lymphedema
Lymphoscintigraphy
Mice
Mice, Hairless
Models, Animal
Models, Theoretical
Neutrophils
Skin
Subcutaneous Tissue
Tail

Figure

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  Fig. 1 These photos show parts of surgical resection (arrow head) and histological biopsy (arrow A, B and C)

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  Fig. 2 The diameter of mouse tail was measured with rod ruler by photograph.

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  Fig. 3 Tail volume changes following removal of skin and subcutaneous tissues. The study group displayed nearly twice volume at post - 18 days.

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  Fig. 4 Lymphoscintigraphy was performed after the intradermal injection of 100 uCi/0.02 ml of filtered 99mTc - phytate. Dynamic and static images were acquired using a low energy general purpose collimator in a microSPECT INFINIA gamma camera. The renal nodes (arrow head) were visualized significantly in control group (A). But, in study group (B), renal nodes were visualized 30 minute after injection and dermal back flow (arrow) was observed.

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  Fig. 5 Normal tail skin harvested 18 mm from the base of the tail shows thin epidermis and no dilated vessels in dermis (5-A, H&E stain × 40). Some dilated vessels in dermis (arrows) are seen at the groups of 2 and 4 weeks, respectively (5-B and 5-C, H&E stain × 40).

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  Fig. 6 Positive reaction of endothelial cell in dilated vessel is noted by lymphatic vessel hyaluronan receptor - 1 (LYVE - 1) stain. (× 400).

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