VUMC Analytical Resource

Overview of Services

1. Mouse tissue collection: Aortas are flushed (30 ml PBS) through the left ventricle, the heart with ascending aorta is isolated, embedded in OCT and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen_. Different tissues including aortas are dissected and collected.
2. Analysis of atherosclerotic lesions in the proximal aorta: Cryosections of 10-µm thickness are taken from the proximal aorta starting from the end of the aortic sinus ) and stained with Oil-Red-O with hematoxylin. The image analysis is performed using the KS 300 system.
3. Analysis en face of aortic atherosclerotic lesions: The aortas are dissected, pinned out for en face and stain with Sudan IV. Morphometry of lesions is performed via image capture and computer analysis of lesion area.
4. Cryosectioning of Tissue Samples.
5. Plasma Lipids: Total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride are measured by standard enzymatic assays using a microtiter plate reader (Raichem Co).
6. Lipoprotein Fractionation and Characterization: Lipoprotein fractions (chylomicrons, VLDL, LDL, HDL) are isolated by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC).
7. Consultation and Education: The Atherosclerosis Subcore provides consultation and advice regarding the experimental design and appropriate utilization of the methods for analysis of atherosclerosis.

Leadership

Scientific Director: MacRae Linton, M.D. 

For general questions or assistance: youmin.zhang@vumc.org

Location and hours of operation

Links and Resources

1. https://labnodes.vanderbilt.edu/resource/view/id/10820/community_id/1418