A Mouse Model of Vascularized Heterotopic Spleen Transplantation

Source: Wang, J., et al. A Mouse Model of Vascularized Heterotopic Spleen Transplantation for Studying Spleen Cell Biology and Transplant Immunity. J. Vis. Exp. (2019). The video demonstrates a surgical method for generating a mouse model of vascularized heterotopic spleen transplantation. The abdominal cavity of an anesthetized donor mouse is surgically opened to remove the spleen. The inferior vena cava and infrarenal aorta are identified, their lumbar branches are ligated, and openings are made for the heterotopic transplantation of a spleen from a congenic donor mouse. Upon completing vascular anastomosis and restoring blood flow to the implanted spleen, the incision is closed, and the mouse is monitored for recovery.