Taylor Robert M, Ali Abdul-Mehdi S, Zhu Yiliang, Bolt Alicia M, Baca Justin T
Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Methods Protoc. 2022 Jun 3;5(3):46. doi: 10.3390/mps5030046.
Interstitial fluid (ISF) bathes the cells and tissues and is in constant exchange with blood. As an exchange medium for waste, nutrients, exosomes, and signaling molecules, ISF is recognized as a plentiful source of biomolecules. Many basic and pre-clinical small animal studies could benefit from an inexpensive and efficient technique that allows for the in vivo extraction of ISF for the subsequent quantification of molecules in the interstitial space. We have previously reported on a minimally invasive technique for the extraction of ISF using a 3D-printed microneedle array (MA) platform for comprehensive biomedical applications. Previously, hairless animal models were utilized, and euthanasia was performed immediately following the procedure. Here, we demonstrate the technique in Sprague Dawley rats, without the need for hair removal, over multiple extractions and weeks. As an example of this technique, we report simultaneous quantification of the heavy metals Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Lithium (Li), and Nickel (Ni) within the ISF, compared with whole blood. These results demonstrate the MA technique applicability to a broader range of species and studies and the reuse of animals, leading to a reduction in number of animals needed to successfully complete ISF extraction experiments.
组织液（ISF）浸润着细胞和组织，并与血液不断进行交换。作为废物、营养物质、外泌体和信号分子的交换介质，组织液被认为是丰富的生物分子来源。许多基础和临床前的小动物研究都可以受益于一种廉价且高效的技术，该技术能够在体内提取组织液，以便随后对间质空间中的分子进行定量分析。我们之前报道了一种使用3D打印微针阵列（MA）平台进行组织液提取的微创技术，用于全面的生物医学应用。此前，使用的是无毛动物模型，并且在手术后立即实施安乐死。在此，我们展示了该技术在Sprague Dawley大鼠身上的应用情况，无需脱毛，可进行多次提取并持续数周。作为该技术的一个示例，我们报告了与全血相比，同时对组织液中的重金属铜（Cu）、铅（Pb）、锂（Li）和镍（Ni）进行定量分析的结果。这些结果证明了微针阵列技术适用于更广泛的物种和研究，以及动物的重复使用，从而减少了成功完成组织液提取实验所需的动物数量。
