# In Vivo Model and Histology Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $499,121

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The purpose of the in vivo Animal model & histology core is to consolidate key personnel and equipment to
provide a centralized facility that will enhance collaborative and multidisciplinary investigations into multiple
mechanisms in age related skeletal degenerative disease. Core B will serve as a center to realize an optimized
and reasonable utilization and allocation of experimental and human resources. Employing skillful personnel to
conduct the common procedures in a standardized manner is not only a cost- and time-efficient strategy but also
can maximally reduce the potential for bias and increase the scientific rigor. Ranging from tissue histological
analysis to functional behavior test, Core B will facilitate the investigation of age related skeletal degenerative
diseases from four aspects: 1. Animal models and microsurgeries. The proposed surgical animal models:
destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM), lumbar spine instability (LSI), dorsal root ganglion (DRG)
exposure for in vivo imaging will be conducted in the Core B. Our core will set up a team with members who
have extensive experience in conducting complicated microsurgeries in small animals. 2. Histological grading.
Core B will perform histological grading based on the Safranin O/fast green and H&E staining. The osteoarthritis
research society international (OARSI) scoring system will be applied to assess the joint degenerative status
while the grading method for classification of age-related changes in lumbar intervertebral discs will be used to
determine the degenerative status of lumbar discs. 3. Micro-CT analysis. Micro-CT measurements will be done
in excised lumbar vertebrae and knee joints to determine the individual volumetric, densitometric and 3-
dimensional microarchitecture of subchondral bone or endplate. These parameters are essential for investigating
the biomechanical impact of subchondral bone on articular cartilage or endplate on intra-vertebral discs. 4:
Behavior test. To better translate the preclinical results into clinical settings, behavior test will be applied to all
the 4 projects within this PPG program. Core B will perform gait analysis, Von Frey test, Mechanical hyperalgesia
and cold sensitivity test for individual projects. To reduce the variability that potentially generated because of the
changes of environment, the different handling of animals, Core B will designate well trained personnel in
charging of the animal behavioral tests and equipment/facility management. 5. Training. The Core will train and
maintain the continuing education of a key laboratory person from each project to help perform the routine
histological, behavior and micro-CT analysis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10090195
- **Project number:** 1P01AG066603-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Gehua Zhen
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $499,121
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-01-15 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10090195

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10090195, In Vivo Model and Histology Core (1P01AG066603-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10090195. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*