Thrombosis Model in Mouse Carotid Induced by Guidewire

Researchers have developed many thrombosis models in the mouse. Some methods for establishing the model require specialized equipment and have high cost. The present study develops a low-cost, easy-to-operate, and well-controlled vascular injury thrombosis model in the mouse carotid artery induced by a guidewire. Superficial injury was induced in the carotid artery by scratching with a guidewire. Thrombus formation was observed and recorded in real time. Thrombosis quantification analyses were performed using Metamorph and Graphpad software. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were employed for the histological analysis of the injured vessel wall. Three clinical drugs were respectively administrated to this model for further evaluation. Complete removal of the endothelium was observed by TEM in this injury model. Platelets covered the denuded surface, in which the aggregates were detected by HE staining and SEM. A transient thrombus reaching peak at around 1 min after injury and vanishing gradually within 3 min formed in the model. Administration of clinical medicaments decreased thrombus formation in this model. All lesions were sensitive to platelet GPIIb-IIIa, P2Y12 inhibition, and thrombin blockade. The proposed model has good reproducibility and feasibility and could be applied in therapeutic targeting and anti-thrombotic drug screening.