Journal: bioRxiv
Article Title: Microsurgical Isolation and Molecular Characterization of the Mouse Left Internal Mammary Artery: Insights into Natural Resistance to Atherosclerosis
doi: 10.64898/2026.01.08.698440
Figure Lengend Snippet: The mouse was anesthetized using CO2 in an induction chamber until the absence of pedal reflex was confirmed. Dissection was performed under aseptic conditions. Upper panel shows (A, B, C, D, E, F) (from left to right), the mouse was positioned supine on a dissection board and secured with colored tab through the limbs. An incision was made through the abdominal skin using sterile scissors, starting from the lower abdomen and extending to the thoracic cavity. The skin was gently retracted laterally to expose the abdominal wall muscles. Lower panel shows (G, H, I, J, K, L) (from left to right), an incision was made below the xiphoid process (subxiphoid incision) and then cuts through the diaphragm muscle to access the thoracic cavity of Apoe-/-. The diaphragm was carefully incised to access the thoracic cavity, revealing the organs including heart and lungs Dissection of the internal thoracic cavity to expose LIMA. (B) To visualize and isolate LIMA and RIMA, the inner wall of thoracic cavity was carefully dissected, and image was taken with high resolution camera to show LIMA and RIMA. (C) Both LIMA (black arrow) and RIMA (white arrow) run along the inner surface of the anterior chest wall, and both are running parallel to the sternum (yellow star), along the posterior surface of the thoracic wall behind the sternal ends of the costal cartilages. (D) Notably, LIMA is not adherent to the thoracic wall immediately upon branching from the subclavian artery, allowing for easier removal of surrounding fascia and connective tissue through this natural plane of separation. (E) The internal thoracic wall of Apoe-/- mouse post-dissection and prior to perfusion showing LIMA and RIMA originate from subclavian arteries that are branching off the aortic arch. (F) Following dissection and removal of the heart to expose the aortic arch and its three major arteries coming form the aorta shows that LIMA and RIMA originate form left subclavian artery and right subclavian artery, respectively. (G) Closer examination reveals that LIMA (right black arrow) and RIMA (left black arrow) branches off from the inferior aspect of the left subclavian artery (right yellow arrow) and the right subclavian artery (left yellow arrow) and then both are descending along the anterior chest wall. (H) Pulling out LIMA confirms anatomical attachment to subclavian artery.
Article Snippet: Homozygous Apoe-knockout (Apoe-/-) mice were bought from Jackson lab.
Techniques: Dissection, Sterility, Muscles
