Improved techniques for kidney transplantation in mice

Improved microsurgical techniques for kidney transplantation in the mouse are described. Left renal transplantation is performed with end-to-side anastomoses of the donor renal vein to the inferior vena cava and the donor aortic cuff to the aorta. Urinary tract reconstruction is accomplished by suturing the donor ureter with a bladder patch to the recipient bladder. With these modifications, it is possible to achieve success rates as high as 90%. This stable and reproducible model provides a useful tool to study the immunological mechanisms of kidney allograft rejection at the molecular level.