The dorsal skinfold chamber: A valuable model for the in vivo evaluation of topical formulations

Abstract

In this study, we introduce the mouse dorsal skinfold chamber model as a valuable approach for the in vivo evaluation of topical formulations. For this purpose, dorsal skinfold chambers were implanted into BALB/c mice. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α was administered to the chamber tissue for the local induction of inflammation followed by the application of diclofenac‐containing or diclofenac‐free (control) gel onto the skin of the chamber backside. Intravital fluorescence microscopy was repetitively performed throughout an observation period of 24 hours to study macromolecular leakage, leucocyte‐endothelial cell interactions and microhaemodynamic parameters. In addition, infiltration of the inflamed tissue with different immune cell subtypes was assessed by immunohistochemistry. In a second set of experiments, the effect of dermal application of a diclofenac‐containing gel on photochemically induced thrombus formation was analysed. It was observed that macromolecular leakage, numbers of adherent leucocytes and tissue infiltrating myeloperoxidase (MPO)‐positive neutrophilic granulocytes and CD68‐positive macrophages were significantly reduced in dorsal skinfold chambers treated with diclofenac‐containing gel when compared to controls. Moreover, the diclofenac‐containing gel exerted an anti‐thrombotic activity, as indicated by a significantly prolonged complete vessel occlusion time. These findings demonstrate that the mouse dorsal skinfold chamber represents a valid and versatile tool to evaluate the effects of topical formulations in vivo.

In vitro dynamic perfusion of prevascularized OECs-DBMs (outgrowth endothelial progenitor cell - demineralized bone matrix) complex fused to recipient vessels in an internal inosculation manner

“…The in vivo method is only applicable to the observation of microvasculature in dead or isolated specimens, neither of which reflects the microvascular condition in the normal physiological state. Notably, Sandison et al first applied the animal dorsal skinfold window-chamber model to observe living tissues [ 24 ]. Tissue engineering has developed rapidly in the past 20 years, and many experimental studies have used the dorsal skinfold window-chamber model to dynamically observe the histocompatibility, inflammatory response, and vascularization process of receptors to different biomaterials in real time [ 25–27 ].…”

Experimental Models to Study Skin Wound Healing with a Focus on Angiogenesis

“…Since then, microcirculation and tissue engineering research have frequently used the mouse dorsal skinfold chamber [19]. Microcirculatory studies focused on inflammation [20,21], thrombogenesis [22,23], thrombolysis [24,25], angiogenesis of tumors [26][27][28], endometriosis [29,30], biomaterials [31,32] and flap perfusion [33,34]. The number of studies using the dorsal skinfold chamber model for different approaches proves the dorsal skinfold chamber to be one of the most important in vivo models for repetitive microcirculation assessment.…”