Mouse Ileal Loop Model: A Surgical Model to Study Intestinal Permeability in the Mouse

Abstract

Source: Boerner, K., et al. Functional Assessment of Intestinal Permeability and Neutrophil Transepithelial Migration in Mice using a Standardized Intestinal Loop Model. J. Vis. Exp. (2021)

This video demonstrates the generation of an ileal loop model to study intestinal permeability in a mouse model. This method provides a live model to understand the epithelial barrier function and consequent immune response.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board. 1. Generation of the ileal loop Skin preparation: Scrub fur of the abdominal midline with alcohol swabs or gauze sponge soaked with 70% Ethanol. Do not wet a wide area of fur with alcohol to prevent hypothermia. Using scissors, perform a midline laparotomy. Make a vertical incision in the middle of the abdomen (a…

Representative Results

Figure 1: The ileal loop model. (A) Schematic overview of the ileal loop model. Median laparotomy is performed on mice under anesthesia and placed on a temperature-controlled surgery board. (B) Exteriorization of the caecum (*), ileum and mesentery. Two adequate sites for ligation are identified (1,2). (C) Isolate a segment of 4 cm length: the first ligature (1) is placed close to the ileo-caecal…

Materials

Equipment and Material
BD Alcohol Swabs	BD	326895
BD PrecisionGlide Needle, 25G X 5/8"	BD	305122
BD PrecisionGlide Needle, 30G X 1/2"	BD	305106
BD 1ml Tuberculin Syringe Without Needle	BD	309659
15ml Centrifuge Tube	Corning	14-959-53A
Corning 96-Well Solid Black Polystyrene Microplate	FisherScientific	07-200-592
Corning Non-treated Culture Dish, 10cm	MilliporeSigma	CLS430588
Cotton Tip Applicator (cotton swab), 6", sterile	FisherScientific	25806 2WC
Dynarex Cotton Filled Gauze Sponges, Non-Sterile, 2" x 2"	Medex	3249-1
EZ-7000 anesthesia vaporizer (Classic System, including heating units)	E-Z Systems	EZ-7000
Moria Fine Scissors	FST	14370-22
Puralube Vet Ointment, Sterile Ocular Lubricant	Dechra	12920060
Ring Forceps (blunt tissue forceps)	FST	11103-09
Roboz Surgical 4-0 Silk Black Braided, 100 YD	FisherScientific	NC9452680
Semken Forceps (anatomical forceps)	FST	1108-13
Sofsilk Nonabsorbable Coated Black Suture Braided Silk Size 3-0, 18", Needle 19mm length 3/8 circle reverse cutting	HenrySchein	SS694
Student Fine Forceps, Angled	FST	91110-10
10ml Syringe PP/PE without needle	Millipore Sigma	Z248029
Yellow Feeding Tubes for Rodents 20G x 30 mm	Instech	FTP-20-30
Solutions and Buffers
Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution	Corning	21-023-CV
Phosphate-Buffered Saline without Calcium and Magnesium	Corning	21-040-CV
Isoflurane	Halocarbon	12164-002-25