Strategies for successfully establishing a kidney transplant in a mouse model.

OBJECTIVES Kidney transplant in mouse model is quite useful and valuable for studying transplant immunobiology. However, its technical complexity and high mortality have hindered widespread use. We sought to review and analyze the various techniques of kidney transplant in mice to prevent pitfalls and reduce complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched PubMed using the key words "kidney transplant" or "renal transplant," "mouse" or "mice," and "technique" or "model" for articles published between January 1973 and June 2010. We found a series of factors that were collected and analyzed, which may influence establishing a mouse kidney transplant model. RESULTS A mouse kidney transplant model is practical for research. Mouse body weight, sex, animal strain, type of anesthesia, and type of flushing solution are relevant but do not determine a successful transplant. Warm and cold ischemia time should be less than 35 minutes and 2.5 hours. CONCLUSIONS End-to-side vascular anastomosis and ureter-to-bladder or bladder-to-bladder for ureter reconstruction is preferred for establishing a kidney transplant model in mice.