Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Mouse Model

Investigate your novel therapy’s potential in spinal cord regeneration using InnoSer’s clinically relevant spinal cord injury (SCI) mouse model  

Home » Neurology CRO Services » Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Mouse Model

InnoSer offers specialized preclinical contract research services using a clinically relevant spinal cord injury (SCI) mouse model induced by transection. Spinal cord injury is established by means of T-cut hemisection with a partial laminectomy at thoracic level eight (T8), transecting the dorsomedial and ventral corticospinal tracts, impairing other descending and ascending tracts.

Multiple spinal cord injury model systems have been developed to test the efficacy of novel therapies. Each model allows you to study specific pathological processes and specific therapeutic mechanisms of action. Accordingly, InnoSer’s experienced spinal cord injury team is capable of running efficacy studies in different models such as contusion SCI models and laceration SCI mouse models. Additionally, InnoSer’s Spa mouse model of spasticity may represent another translationally relevant model. However, as all models have their unique characteristics, we recommend discussing your study setup in close collaboration with our experts.

InnoSer’s scientists have extensive experience in modeling SCI in rodent models and have published numerous papers using the transection spinal cord injury (SCI) mouse model (Erens et al., 2022). Accordingly, our staff is skilled in performing (stem) cell and medical device transplants as well as delivering (e.g., via intrathecal dosing) a range of therapeutics to evaluate the neuroregenerative effects of your novel therapy.  

InnoSer’s SCI model is a highly reproducible mouse model of spinal injury, allowing for quick set-up. Because of the immediate injury induction, immediate dosing or implantation of novel therapeutics can be performed. Therefore, the relatively short study timelines (4 weeks), can help you accelerate your preclinical spinal cord injury research.  

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Mouse Model characteristics:  

  • Standardized spinal cord damage in the SCI model is induced by T-cut hemisection combined with partial laminectomy at thoracic level eight (T8).  
  • Extensive and progressive neuroinflammation (astrocytes, microglia) and inflammatory cell activation and infiltration of peripheral immune cells). 

Find the right model for you.

Compare our model capabilities and discover which of our neurology platforms suits your research needs

Belgian based preclinical neurology CRO mouse models

Key readouts in the spinal cord injury (SCI) mouse model:  

Test the efficacy of your treatments in the spinal cord injury model with the following readouts:    

  • Functional recovery assessment of hind limb motor function (Basso Mouse Scale Function scoring) 
  • CatWalk automated gait analysis  
  • Histopathology analyses (lesion size of the spinal cord injury, neuroinflammation, astrogliosis, microglia activation, de- and re-myelination, neuronal cell death, immune cell infiltration) 
  • Blood collection for PK/PD profiling 
  • CSF collection 
  • Biomarker analyses (qPCR, MSD, ELISA, Western blot)  
  • Peripheral immune cell response profiling (flow cytometry)  
  • Complementary in vitro assays (in vitro mouse and human immune cell activation and polarization assays, scratch assay, viability assay) 

    Example data featuring the spinal cord injury (SCI) mouse model:  

      Related model options

      Neurology Platform Overview

      Highly relevant neurology models to facilitate preclinical drug development

      Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Mouse Model

      Perform behavioural research studies to investigate your novel and innovative targeted DMD therapies.  

      Spasticity – Spa Mouse Model

      Study novel interventions to improve physical performance in patients affected by muscular Spasticity using the Spa mouse model.  

      AAALAC Accreditation

      InnoSer has earned the AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to responsible animal care and use. AAALAC International is a nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. Our accreditation is valid for three years, incl. 2023. Read more about the AAALAC accreditation programme here.

      AAALAC logo

      Animal Welfare

      The 3Rs impact everything from policy and regulatory change to the development and uptake of new technologies and approaches. This is why InnoSer has ongoing commitment and monitoring of these processes. The steps we practice maximize our ability to replace, reduce and refine animal involvement and facilitate our commitment to these principles when it comes to research and drug development.

      Ready to work with a CRO that’s as committed as you are?

       

      Join us in delivering impactful studies that bring therapies to patients sooner.