Development of a novel knee contracture mouse model by immobilization using external fixation.

Several studies have used animal models to examine knee joint contracture; however, few reports detail the construction process of a knee joint contracture model in a mouse. The use of mouse models is beneficial, as genetically modified mice can be used to investigate the pathogenesis of joint contracture. Compared to others, mouse models are associated with a lower cost to evaluate therapeutic effects. Here, we describe a novel knee contracture mouse model by immobilization using external fixation. The knee joints of mice were immobilized by external fixation using a splint and tape. The passive extension range of motion (ROM), histological and immunohistochemical changes, and expression levels of fibrosis-related genes at 2 and 4 weeks were compared between the immobilized (Im group) and non-immobilized (Non-Im group) groups. The extension ROM at 4 weeks was significantly lower in the Im group than in the Non-Im group (p < 0.01). At 2 and 4 weeks, the thickness and area of the joint capsule were significantly greater in the Im group than in the Non-Im group (p < 0.01 in all cases). At 2 weeks, the mRNA expression levels of the fibrosis-related genes, except for the transforming growth factor-β1, and the protein levels of cellular communication network factor 2 and vimentin in the joint capsule were significantly higher in the Im group (p < 0.01 in all cases). This mouse model may serve as a useful tool to investigate the etiology of joint contracture and establish new treatment methods.

Citation

Kotaro Tokuda, Yoshiaki Yamanaka, Kenji Kosugi, Haruki Nishimura, Yasuaki Okada, Manabu Tsukamoto, Takafumi Tajima, Hitoshi Suzuki, Makoto Kawasaki, Soshi Uchida, Eiichiro Nakamura, Ke-Yong Wang, Akinori Sakai. Development of a novel knee contracture mouse model by immobilization using external fixation. Connective tissue research. 2022 Mar;63(2):169-182

Mesh Tags

PMID: 33602048

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