The dorsal skinfold chamber: A versatile tool for preclinical research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Abstract

The dorsal skinfold chamber is a rodent model for non-invasive microcirculatory analyses of striated muscle and skin tissue throughout an observation period of 2-3 weeks. In combination with intravital fluorescence microscopy, this model allows the quantitative assessment of dynamic processes such as inflammation, angiogenesis, vascular remodelling and microcirculation. Accordingly, the dorsal skinfold chamber is increasingly used for preclinical research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This includes studies on biocompatibility, vascularisation and incorporation of medical implants and artificial tissue constructs. Moreover, the chamber implantation procedure has been modified to analyse primary and secondary wound healing as well as revascularisation and blood perfusion of dermal substitutes, skin grafts and myocutaneous flaps. Hence, the dorsal skinfold chamber model does not only provide deep insights into fundamental regenerative mechanisms but also represents a versatile tool for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Enoxaparin does not affect network formation of adipose tissue–derived microvascular fragments

“…Prior to the implantation of the dorsal skinfold chamber (Irola Industriekomponenten GmbH & Co. KG, Schonach, Germany), the mice were anesthetized by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of ketamine (75 mg/kg body weight; Ursotamin ® ; Serumwerke Bernburg, Bernburg, Germany) and xylazine (25 mg/kg body weight; Rompun ® ; Bayer, Leverkusen, Germany). Thereafter, the two symmetrical titanium frames of the chamber were fixed on the extended dorsal skinfold, as previously described in detail . After the animals were allowed to recover for 48 hours, a 4‐mm full‐thickness skin defect was created within the observation window of the chamber by means of a dermal biopsy punch (kaiEurope GmbH).…”

“…Thereafter, the two symmetrical titanium frames of the chamber were fixed on the extended dorsal skinfold, as previously described in detail. 20 After the animals were allowed to recover for 48 hours, a 4-mm full-thickness skin defect was created within the observation window of the chamber by means of a dermal biopsy punch (kaiEurope GmbH). The defect was then filled with ad-MVF-seeded Integra V R before the observation window was sealed again with a removable cover glass.…”

Antimargination of Microparticles and Platelets in the Vicinity of Branching Vessels

“…The experiment was approved by the local governmental animal care committee (approval number 06/2015) and was conducted in accordance with the German legislation on protection of animals and the NIH Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council, Washington, USA). Dorsal skinfold chamber model Microvessels were analyzed in the dorsal skinfold chamber model, which provides continuous microscopic access to the microcirculation of the striated skin muscle and the underlying subcutaneous tissue [49]. For the implantation of the chamber, the mice were anesthetized by i.p.…”

Oxytocin effects on experimental skin wound healing

“…displays a standardized technique, which allows a multifaceted use in experimental research [25,26]. Besides this technique, a variety of other in vivo [27][28][29][30] and in vitro [31,32] models exist; however, only a limited number of models include the possibility of direct microcirculatory analysis during the process of dermal restoration [33][34][35].…”

“…The model of the dorsal skin fold chamber in rodents displays a standardized technique, which allows a multifaceted use in experimental research Laschke et al 2016). Besides this technique a variety of other in vivo Rossio-Pasquier et al 2008;Escamez et al 2004, Geer et al 2010 and in vitro models (Harrison et al 2005;Kamamoto et al 2003) exist, however, only a limited number include the possibility of direct microcirculatory analysis during the process of dermal restoration Vollmar et al 2002;Uhl et al 2003;Langer et al 2006).…”