Materials and Reagents

1. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (Sigma-Aldrich, catalog number: L2880 )
   
2. Ketamine (Henry Schein, catalog number: 010177 ) and Xylazine (Henry Schein, catalog number: 033198 ) for mouse anesthesia
   
3. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (see Recipes)
   

Equipment

1. Intubating platform (Figure 1), which can be constructed using 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) boards. The longer board should be roughly 6 inches (15 cm) wide x 14 inches (36 cm) long. The smaller supporting board should be roughly 6 inches (15 cm) wide x 7 inches (18 cm) long. On the back side of the longer board, nail two rectangular pieces of wood that are roughly 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) x 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in size, rendering a groove that is slightly wider than 0.5 inches (1.3 cm). The smaller board fits into this groove, thus producing the 45 degree angle of the intubating platform. Finally, cut a V-shaped groove on the top of the platform, and string suture (3-0 or larger) between 2 pushpins (or nails). Alternatively, a rodent intubation stand can be purchased (Braintree Scientific, Inc., catalog number RIS 100).
   
   
   Figure 1. Representative Model of Intubating Platform
   
   
2. Fiber-optic illuminator (Cole Parmer Fiber-Lite, model: 9745-00 )
   
3. Curved blunt-ended forceps
   
4. Polyethylene tubing PE-10 (Intramedic, catalog number: 427401 )
   
5. Insulin syringe with attached needle (sterile)
   
6. Hands-free binocular magnifiers
   
7. Warming pad (Gaymar T/Pump Classic, model: TP650 ) @ 38 °C setting
   

Procedure