Operating and Biocontainment Procedures of a Facility for Laboratory Mice with a Natural Microbiome: Immunophenotyping Procedure
Drude N, Diederich K, Duerr CU, Haase N, Harms C, Heppner F, Jendrach M, Kahnau P, Kolesnichenko M, Lewejohann L, Kurreck C, Lohan A, Mall MA, Müller D, Nagel-Riedasch S, Opitz B, Schapp L, Schönfelder G, Weber A, Willimsky G, Zang Y, Rosshart SP, Diefenbach A, Jordan S (2024)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2024
Journal
Article Number: e67100
Journal Issue: 214
DOI: 10.3791/67100
Abstract
The use of laboratory mice with a natural microbiome, such as "Wildling mice", offers a promising research tool for both basic and applied science due to their close resemblance to the human superorganism. However, the breeding and maintenance of these mice, which harbor a diverse microbiome including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, pose significant challenges for animal husbandry facilities at research institutions. To address these challenges, a specialized facility concept was developed for housing "Wildling mice" at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. This approach involved designing a facility with specific structural features and operational protocols to effectively contain the natural microbiome, thereby protecting areas with higher hygiene standards. A methodology for blood sampling from both specified pathogen-free (SPF) and "Wildling mice" for immunophenotyping is demonstrated, highlighting the workflow and biocontainment measures implemented in the facility. Remarkable results reveal that "Wildling mice" exposed to a natural microbiome develop distinct immune cell populations, which are significantly reduced in mice bred and maintained under stringent hygiene conditions. The significance of this study lies in its potential to provide researchers with access to mice that possess a natural microbiome and a mature immune system similar to that of human adults. This approach could enhance the translatability of preclinical findings into clinical practice, thereby advancing the field of biomedical research.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Germany (DE)
Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft / Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC)
Germany (DE)
Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR)
Germany (DE)
Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung in der Charité / Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft / Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC)
Germany (DE)
Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR)
Germany (DE)
Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung in der Charité / Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Drude, N., Diederich, K., Duerr, C.U., Haase, N., Harms, C., Heppner, F.,... Jordan, S. (2024). Operating and Biocontainment Procedures of a Facility for Laboratory Mice with a Natural Microbiome: Immunophenotyping Procedure. Journal of Visualized Experiments, 214. https://doi.org/10.3791/67100
MLA:
Drude, Natascha, et al. "Operating and Biocontainment Procedures of a Facility for Laboratory Mice with a Natural Microbiome: Immunophenotyping Procedure." Journal of Visualized Experiments 214 (2024).
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