Development of a mouse limb transplantation model

A tremendous amount of research has been dedicated to laying the groundwork that will eventually lead to successful limb transplantation in humans. Li mb transplantation in animal models has also been widely used for evaluatin g composite tissue allografts and various immunosuppressive regimens. Curre ntly, there is no mouse model of limb transplantation. Such a model is attr active because it would allow investigators to apply the well-defined genet ic characteristics of the mouse to the challenging field of limb transplant ation. In this study, 12 mice underwent orthotopic hind limb transplantatio ns using end-to-end anastomoses of the femoral vessels. The success rate of this surgical procedure was 83%, with 10 of the 12 limbs surviving. Experi mental devices, operative procedures, and the major elements of success are discussed. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.