To induce experimental periodontitis, wild-type C57BL/6j mice (6- to 8-week-old) were used. The animals were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of a cocktail of ketamine (80 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg). This cocktail allows us to anesthetize animals for at least 30 min. After mice were anaesthetized, a silk ligature (5-0 silk threads, Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ, USA) was placed on the upper left second molar and left for 24 h, 3, and 7 days as described (Abe and Hajishengallis, 2013 (link)). Briefly, a ligature was placed through the proximal contacts of the upper left second molar until reached the gingival margin. The procedure was performed using two Castroviejo micro needle holder (Fine Science Tools, CA, USA) under the stereomicroscope assistance (Seiler Evolution xR6, Seiler Microscope, MO, USA). Suture was tied firmly with a double-knot on the buccal side. Altogether, 10–15 min was required for successful ligature placement. The excess suture was cut using Vannas spring scissors (Fine Science Tools, CA, USA). The upper right second molar without ligature was used as a control.
This study was conducted in strict accordance with the recommendations in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health and the experimental procedures were approved by the Forsyth Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
This study was conducted in strict accordance with the recommendations in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health and the experimental procedures were approved by the Forsyth Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).