Protocol for xenotransplantation of human skin and streptozotocin diabetes induction in immunodeficient mice to study impaired wound healing

Zhuqing Li; Brandon Sumpio; Enya Wang; Mauricio Contreras; Ikram Mezghani; Georgios Theocharidis; Aristidis Veves

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2022.102029

Protocol for xenotransplantation of human skin and streptozotocin diabetes induction in immunodeficient mice to study impaired wound healing

STAR Protoc. 2023 Mar 17;4(1):102029. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.102029. Epub 2023 Jan 14.

Authors

Zhuqing Li¹, Brandon Sumpio¹, Enya Wang¹, Mauricio Contreras², Ikram Mezghani¹, Georgios Theocharidis³, Aristidis Veves⁴

Affiliations

¹ Joslin-Beth Israel Deaconess Foot Center and The Rongxiang Xu, MD, Center for Regenerative Therapeutics, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
² Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
³ Joslin-Beth Israel Deaconess Foot Center and The Rongxiang Xu, MD, Center for Regenerative Therapeutics, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: gtheocha@bidmc.harvard.edu.
⁴ Joslin-Beth Israel Deaconess Foot Center and The Rongxiang Xu, MD, Center for Regenerative Therapeutics, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: aveves@bidmc.harvard.edu.

Abstract

Here, we present a protocol for the integration of human skin onto the backs of diabetic immunodeficient mice, providing a versatile in vivo model for mimicking and studying mechanisms involved in impaired cutaneous wound healing. This protocol includes instructions for the grafting of human skin, induction of diabetes using streptozotocin and wounding/post-wounding care of immunodeficient mice, as well as suggested downstream tissue analyses. This preclinical mouse model can be used to validate the efficacy of newly developed wound dressings. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Theocharidis et al. (2022).¹.

Keywords: Biotechnology and bioengineering; Health Sciences; Metabolism; Model Organisms; Tissue Engineering.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental*
Humans
Mice
Skin
Streptozocin / toxicity
Transplantation, Heterologous
Wound Healing

Substances

Streptozocin