Subacute limb ischemia induces skeletal muscle injury in genetically susceptible mice independent of vascular density

The transition of therapies from the bench to the clinic is highly dependent on accurate animal models of human disease. The specific combination of surgical model and inbred strains of mice utilized allowed us to examine pathological changes that mirror the range of responses seen in patients with critical limb ischemia. Importantly, this facilitated our ability to solidify the skeletal muscle myopathic response as a critical genetically controlled component of the overall ischemic limb response. Our results may lead to novel therapies targeted directly at this compartment, which could be used alone or in combination with reperfusion strategies to improve clinical care.