Deciding on the best mouse model to research myocardial ischemic injury? Stop and listen. Associate Editor Jason Carter (Montana State University) interviewed authors Zamaneh Kassiri (University of Alberta), Crystal Ripplinger (University of California Davis), John Calvert (Emory University), Kristine DeLeon-Pennell (University of South Carolina), Dominic Del Re (Rutgers New Jersey Medical School), Richard Gumina (The Ohio State University), Steven Jones (University of Louisville), and Ganesh Halade (University of South Florida). Representing the distinguished group of experts who collaborated on “Guidelines for in vivo mouse models of myocardial infarction” by Lindsey et al., these authors discussed their consensus article that documents strategies for inducing and evaluating reperfused and non-reperfused myocardial infarction mouse models. The authors emphasized that one model is not superior to another model, but rather each model addresses a different set of scientific questions. The authors also discussed comprehensive experimental design, inclusion of both male and female mice, sample sizes for sufficient statistical power analyses, and statistical tests mapped to the number of variables studied. In addition, the authors touched on providing benchmarks for left ventricular remodeling and function resulting from MI, reporting anesthetics and analgesics used in studies, and measurements and reporting of infarct size using standardized methods. This is a unique opportunity to hear how the authors navigated differing points of view to create an insightful roadmap for the field. The comprehensive checklist in Table 4 is particularly useful for new investigators. Early career researchers – add this to your playlist!

 

Merry L. Lindsey, Keith R. Brunt, Jonathan A. Kirk, Petra Kleinbongard, John W. Calvert, Lisandra E. de Castro Brás, Kristine Y. DeLeon-Pennell, Dominic P. Del Re, Nikolaos G. Frangogiannis, Stefan Frantz, Richard J. Gumina, Ganesh V. Halade, Steven P. Jones, Rebecca H. Ritchie, Francis G. Spinale, Edward B. Thorp, Crystal M. Ripplinger, Zamaneh Kassiri Guidelines for in vivo mouse models of myocardial infarction Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, published November 17, 2021. DOI: doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00459.2021