Name: a porcine heterotopic heart transplantation protocol for delivery of therapeutics to a cardiac allograft
Uploaded: 2022-02-14T14:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Porcine Heterotopic Heart Transplantation Protocol for Delivery of Therapeutics to a Cardiac Allograft at JoVE.com

We would like to thank Duke Large Animal Surgical Core and Duke Perfusion Services for their assistance during these procedures. We would also like to thank Paul Lezberg and TransMedics, Inc. for support.

NOTE: Two female Yucatan pigs are selected, with one designated to be the cardiac graft donor and the other the recipient. Pigs aged 6-8 months, weighing approximately 30 kg, and having compatible blood types are recommended. The overview of the protocol is demonstrated in Figure 1. Housing and the treatment procedures for the pigs are performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Animal Care and Use Committee of Duke University Medical Center.
1. </str...

<ol>
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L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Successful+heart+transplant+after+ten+hours+out-of-body+time+using+the+TransMedics+Organ+Care+System.">Successful heart transplant after ten hours out-of-body time using the TransMedics Organ Care System.</a> Heart, Lung &amp; Circulation. 24 (6), 611-613 (2015).</li><li>Ragalie, W. S., Ardehali, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+status+of+normothermic+ex-vivo+perfusion+of+cardiac+allografts.">Current status of normothermic ex-vivo perfusion of cardiac allografts.</a> Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation. 25 (3), 237-240 (2020).</li><li>Koerner, M. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Normothermic+ex+vivo+allograft+blood+perfusion+in+clinical+heart+transplantation.">Normothermic ex vivo allograft blood perfusion in clinical heart transplantation.</a> Heart Surgery Forum. 17 (3), 141-145 (2014).</li><li>Rosenbaum, D. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Perfusion+preservation+versus+static+preservation+for+cardiac+transplantation:+effects+on+myocardial+function+and+metabolism.">Perfusion preservation versus static preservation for cardiac transplantation: effects on myocardial function and metabolism.</a> Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. 27 (1), 93-99 (2008).</li><li>Cullen, P. P., Tsui, S. S., Caplice, N. M., Hinchion, J. 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K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+therapy+for+cardiovascular+disease:+advances+in+vector+development,+targeting,+and+delivery+for+clinical+translation.">Gene therapy for cardiovascular disease: advances in vector development, targeting, and delivery for clinical translation.</a> Cardiovascular Research. 108 (1), 4-20 (2015).</li><li>Kieserman, J. M., Myers, V. D., Dubey, P., Cheung, J. Y., Feldman, A. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+landscape+of+heart+failure+gene+therapy.">Current landscape of heart failure gene therapy.</a> Journal of the American Heart Association. 8 (10), 012239 (2019).</li><li>Perin, E. C., Perin, E. C., Miller, L. W., Taylor, D. A., Wilkerson, J. 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J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+therapy+for+the+treatment+of+heart+failure:+promise+postponed.">Gene therapy for the treatment of heart failure: promise postponed.</a> European Heart Journal. 37 (21), 1651-1658 (2016).</li><li>Ho, C. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+characterization+of+swine+leucocyte+antigen+class+I+genes+in+outbred+pig+populations.">Molecular characterization of swine leucocyte antigen class I genes in outbred pig populations.</a> Animal Genetics. 40 (4), 468-478 (2009).</li><li>Ho, C. 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Delivery of therapeutics during ex vivo perfusion in cardiac transplantation offers a strategy to modify the allograft and potentially improve transplant outcomes. The protocol presented here incorporates the state-of-the-art normothermic ex vivo sanguinous perfusion storage and offers promising potential to test isolated delivery of cell, gene, or immunotherapies to the allograft11,12,13. To date, cardiac deli...

Heart failure is a condition that affects an estimated 6 million adults in the United States and is projected to increase to 8 million adults by the year 20301. Cardiac transplantation is the gold standard treatment for end stage heart failure. However, it is not without its limitations and complications. It remains limited by the number of available donor hearts, primary graft dysfunction, rejection of the heart, and the side effects of long-term immunosuppression2. These limitations are particularly important in young recipients who may experience allograft failure and require subsequent re-transplantation to achieve normal life expectancy.
An ideal intervention to overcome these limitations would treat entire cardiac allografts with therapeutics prior to implantation into the recipient that can improve the viability of the allograft and confer &#34;cardioprotection.&#34; Such interventions would be given prophylactically to minimize the incidence of ischemic insults, allograft rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and even repair marginal allografts. Translational studies for developing these types of interventions require a large-animal model of cardiac transplantation to allow for the long-term surveillance of the cardiac graft. The porcine, heterotopic heart transplantation model in the intraabdominal position has proven ideal for this purpose. Heart transplantation in this position allows for testing the effects of novel therapies and assessing the immunopathology of graft rejection. Additionally, the heterotopic model is advantageous over the orthotopic model due to better overall survival of the recipient, no requirement for cardiopulmonary bypass, and no requirement of the graft to maintain the recipient&#39;s circulation3.
Effective delivery of therapeutic interventions to the heart, such as gene, cell, or immuno- therapy, is a significant barrier to clinical application4,5. The technology introduced by ex vivo perfusion devices allows grafts to be continually perfused, maintaining them in a nonworking but metabolically active state6,7,8,9. This offers a unique opportunity to treat a whole heart with advanced therapeutics while minimizing the potential side effects of systemic delivery10,11,12,13. Another advantage of utilizing ex vivo perfusion devices for therapeutic delivery is that they allow the administration of medications to the coronary circulation over extended periods that are not feasible using traditional cold static storage methods. This allows for more global delivery of the therapeutics to the graft14. Using the protocol presented here, we successfully delivered the firefly luciferase gene to a whole porcine cardiac graft using adenoviral vectors15. The aim of this protocol is to provide a reproducible and robust approach for achieving delivery of a therapeutic to the entire cardiac allograft prior to transplantation.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>0 Looped Maxon suture</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>GMM-341L</td>
			<td>Used to close fascia of the laparotomy incision</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0 Silk ties</td>
			<td>Medtronic, Inc</td>
			<td>S346</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>18 G Angiocath</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>381144</td>
			<td>Used to de-air the left ventricle of the donor heart after implantation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>20 Fr LV vent</td>
			<td>Medtronic, Inc</td>
			<td>12002</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-0 Silk sutures</td>
			<td>Ethicon, Inc.</td>
			<td>SA11G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-0 Silk ties</td>
			<td>Ethicon, Inc.</td>
			<td>SA65H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-0 Vicryl suture</td>
			<td>Ethicon, Inc.</td>
			<td>J259H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24 Fr venous cannula</td>
			<td>Medtronic, Inc</td>
			<td>68124</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3-0 Prolene sutures</td>
			<td>Ethicon, Inc.</td>
			<td>8522</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4-0 Monocryl suture</td>
			<td>Ethicon, Inc.</td>
			<td>Y469G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4-0 Prolene sutures</td>
			<td>Ethicon, Inc.</td>
			<td>8521</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Animal hair cutting clipper</td>
			<td>Wahl</td>
			<td>8786-452</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aortic clamp</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>CH6201</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Army Navy retractor</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>SU3660</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ATF 40, Cell saver disposable set</td>
			<td>Fresenius Kabi</td>
			<td>9108494</td>
			<td>Cell saver device insert</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Balfour retractor</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>SU3042</td>
			<td>Used as an abdominal wall retractor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C.A.T.S cell saver</td>
			<td>Fresenius Kabi</td>
			<td>ES0019</td>
			<td>Cell saver device used to wash donor blood</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cardiac defibrillator</td>
			<td>Zoll</td>
			<td>M Series</td>
			<td>Cardiac defibrillator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Castro needle holder</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>CH8589</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CG4 iStat cartridges</td>
			<td>Abbott</td>
			<td>03P85-25</td>
			<td>POC testing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CG8 iStat cartridges</td>
			<td>Abbott</td>
			<td>03P88-25</td>
			<td>POC testing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DeBakey forceps</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>CH5902</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electrocautery disposable pencil</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>E2450H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gerald forceps</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>NL1451</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hemotherm 400CE Dual Reservoir Cooler/Heater</td>
			<td>Cincinnati Sub-Zero</td>
			<td>86022</td>
			<td>Heater cooler used to regulate perfusion temperature on the ex vivo perfusion device</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>iSTAT 1</td>
			<td>Abbott</td>
			<td>04P75-03</td>
			<td>POC testing device</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kocher clamp</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>SU2790</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Large clip applier</td>
			<td>Sklar</td>
			<td>50-4300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Large clips</td>
			<td>Teleflex</td>
			<td>4200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Large soft pledgets</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>8886867901</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Medium clip applier</td>
			<td>Sklar</td>
			<td>50-4335</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Medium clips</td>
			<td>Teleflex</td>
			<td>2200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Metzenbaum scissor</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>CH2006-001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>No. 10 scalpel blade</td>
			<td>Swann-Mortan</td>
			<td>301</td>
			<td>Used for skin incision</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>No. 11 scalpel blade</td>
			<td>Kiato Plus</td>
			<td>18111</td>
			<td>Used for vascular incision</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>OCS device with base</td>
			<td>TransMedics, Inc.</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Ex vivo perfusion device</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>OCS disposable</td>
			<td>TransMedics, Inc.</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Ex vivo perfusion device insert with perfusion kits</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pacing cable</td>
			<td>Remington Medical</td>
			<td>FL-601-97</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pediatric cardioplegia catheter (4Fr)</td>
			<td>Medtronic, Inc</td>
			<td>10218</td>
			<td>Used to deliver cardioplegia to the donor aortic root</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pediatric Foley catheter</td>
			<td>Teleflex</td>
			<td>RSH170003080</td>
			<td>Placed pre-op to decompress the recipient&#39;s bladder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potts scissors</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>CH13038</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pressure bag x2 (1,000 mL)</td>
			<td>Novaplus</td>
			<td>V4010H</td>
			<td>Used to deliver cardioplegia at a set pressure</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Satinsky clamp</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>CH7305</td>
			<td>Vascular clamp used for creating anastomoses between donor heart and recipient vessels</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors</td>
			<td>Felco</td>
			<td>FELCO 200A-50</td>
			<td>Used to perform sternotomy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Small hard pledgets</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>8886867701</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sternal retractor</td>
			<td>V. Mueller</td>
			<td>CH6950-007</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Temporary cardiac pacing wires</td>
			<td>Ethicon, Inc.</td>
			<td>TPW32</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Temporary dual chamber pacemaker</td>
			<td>Medtronic, Inc</td>
			<td>5388</td>
			<td>Cardiac pacing device</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tourniquet kit</td>
			<td>Medtronic, Inc</td>
			<td>79005</td>
			<td>Rummel tourniquets</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Umbilical tape</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>8886861903</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vessel loops</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>31145686</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a porcine heterotopic heart transplantation protocol for delivery of therapeutics to a cardiac allograft

Cardiac transplantation is the gold standard treatment for end-stage heart failure. However, it remains limited by the number of available donor hearts and complications such as primary graft dysfunction and graft rejection. The recent clinical use of an ex vivo perfusion device in cardiac transplantation introduces a unique opportunity for treating cardiac allografts with therapeutic interventions to improve function and avoid deleterious recipient responses. Establishing a translational, large-animal model for therapeutic delivery to the entire allograft is essential for testing novel therapeutic approaches in cardiac transplantation. The porcine, heterotopic heart transplantation model in the intraabdominal position serves as an excellent model for assessing the effects of novel interventions and the immunopathology of graft rejection. This model additionally offers long-term survival for the pig, given that the graft is not required to maintain the recipient's circulation. The aim of this protocol is to provide a reproducible and robust approach for achieving ex vivo delivery of a therapeutic to the entire cardiac allograft prior to transplantation and provide technical details to perform a survival heterotopic transplant of the ex vivo perfused heart.

This group has successfully survived 9 pigs between 5 and 35 days following the protocol as presented here, depending on the study design. Out of 10 pigs that have undergone this protocol, only 1 died prematurely from surgical complications, yielding a 90% survival rate. Demonstrated in Figure 2 is a diagram of the configuration of a heterotopic heart transplanted in the intraabdominal position in a pig. When determining the site for anastomosis of the allograft, select a site that minimizes...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Porcine Heterotopic Heart Transplantation Protocol for Delivery of Therapeutics to a Cardiac Allograft at JoVE.com

A Porcine Heterotopic Heart Transplantation Protocol for Delivery of Therapeutics to a Cardiac Allograft

We present a protocol for utilizing a normothermic ex vivo sanguinous perfusion system for the delivery of therapeutics to an entire cardiac allograft in a porcine heterotopic heart transplant model.

Cardiac transplantation is the gold standard treatment for end-stage heart failure. However, it remains limited by the number of available donor hearts ...

This protocol is the first to describe how therapeutics can be effectively administered to a whole cardiac allograft in the large animal model of cardiac transplantation. The main advantage of this protocol is that it allows investigators to test the effects of a therapeutic on a whole cardiac allograft over extended periods of time following transplantation. This technique can be used to investigate interventions that prevent cardiac allograft rejection, primary graft dysfunction, minimize the need for postoperative immunosuppression or extend the lifetime of a cardiac allograft.Optimizing exposure is the most challenging part of the transplant procedure and requires multiple team members to complete. Similarly, experienced perfusionists are needed to coordinate and monitor ex vivo perfusion. To begin, make a 20 to 30 centimeter long incision using the number 10 blade from the manubrium down to the xiphoid, depending on the size of the pig.Use electrocautery to divide the pectoralis major down from the sternum to the xiphoid being careful to divide along the midline of the sternum. Once down to the sternum, score the midline and begin the sternotomy from the xiphoid by dividing it with heavy scissors. Then extend the sternotomy cephalad after each cut.Bluntly separate the heart from the sternum using finger sweeps and complete the sternotomy through the manubrium. After optimizing the surgical field exposure using a sternal retractor, identify and remove the thymus with electrocautery by entering the pericardium longitudinally from the diaphragm to the aorta and creating a pericardial cradle using silk sutures. Fully divide the tissue between the aorta and pulmonary artery and visualize the location of the aortic arch and the brachycephalic trunk to facilitate proper placement of the aortic cross clamp.Using scissors and blunt dissection, circumferentially free the superior vena cava and tie two silk sutures of size zero around the superior vena cava. Apply size 4-0 polypropylene suture to the ascending aorta in a U-stitch manner and to the right atrium in a purse-string manner. Insert a pediatric aortic root cannula secured by the previously placed U-stitch.And then after de-airing the cannula, secure in place with a Rummel tourniquet. Connect the aortic root cannula to the cardioplegia tubing after the tubing has been flushed with del Nido cardioplegia. Create a right atriotomy within the previously placed purse-string.Insert a venous cannula into the right atrium and secure with a Rummel tourniquet. Connect the venous cannula to a sterile suction line connected to the cell saver cardiotomy and collect approximately 1 to 1.3 liters of blood. Then apply the aortic cross clamp, carefully ensuring that the clamp completely occludes the ascending aorta.After placing sterile ice slush on the heart, divide the inferior and superior vena cava just proximal to the azygos vein. The aorta at the level of the arch just distal to the innominate artery and the main pulmonary artery at the bifurcation. Identify and ligate the pulmonary veins, then remove the heart from the chest and place it in a container with sterile ice.To prepare the aorta for placement of the aortic connector, place four pledgeted size 4-0 polypropylene sutures in a simple horizontal mattress fashion around the inside of the distal aorta at a depth of five millimeters below the cut edge, and then tie them down. While holding up the pledgeted aortic sutures, insert the aortic connector into the aorta and tie an umbilical tape around the aorta to secure the connector. Place a size 4-0 polypropylene purse-string around the distal cut edge of the main pulmonary artery.Insert the pulmonary artery cannula and tie down the ends of the purse-string to secure the cannula. Then connect to the pulmonary artery cannula to the pulmonary artery connector on the device and secure it with the tie. Take the prepared graft from the back table to the ex vivo perfusion device and connect the aortic connector to the device place.The left ventricle vent drain through the untied pulmonary vein into the left atrium and across the mitral valve into the left ventricle. Using the number 10 blade, make a 20 to 30 centimeter long skin incision and then continue dissection down to fascia using electrocautery. After lifting the fascia and peritoneum with two Kocher clamps, carefully make a small incision into the peritoneal cavity using Metzenbaum scissors.Extend the peritoneal opening for the full length of the incision using electrocautery. Placing a finger underneath to protect the underlying viscera. Place a Balfour retractor to optimize exposure and retract to the small bowel cranially using a wet towel.Carry the dissection down to the abdominal aorta in inferior vena cava, then ligate the lymphatics with medium and large clips. On the back table, when the pulmonary vein left atriotomy where the left ventricle ventricle vent had been inserted is oversewed, trim the distal aspect of the aorta and pulmonary artery where attachment to the cannulas may have crushed the tissue. Place a Satinsky clamp on the inferior vena cava and create a longitudinal venotomy measuring approximately 1.5 centimeters using the number 11 blade and Pott's scissors.Anastomose the pulmonary artery graft to the recipient's infrarenal inferior vena cava in an end-to-side fashion using a running size 4-0 polypropylene suture. Then anastomose the aorta graft to the recipient's infrarenal aorta in end-to-side fashion using a running size 4-0 polypropylene suture. Carefully place the heart into the right retroperitoneal space, preventing tension on the anastomosis and kinking of the vessels.Then replace the small bowel. Close the fascia with loop size zero Maxon suture in a running fashion starting from both ends of the incision and tying in the middle, avoiding any injury to the bowel. Close the deep dermal layer with size 2-0 Vicryl in a running fashion and the skin with size 4-0 Monocryl in a running fashion.Several different perfusion parameters were acquired. Circulatory flow rates were measured from the pulmonary artery, the aorta, and the coronary arteries. The aortic pressure including mean pressure, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure were also measured.During ex vivo perfusion, the heart rate and temperature of the cardiac allograft were also measured. During the perfusion period, mixed venous oxygen saturation and the hematocrit values were measured from the perfusate. The viability of the intrabdominal heterotopic heart in situ 35 days indicate successful transplantation using this protocol.The most important thing to remember is to select a site for the allograft that minimizes the potential for tension and kinking of the anastomoses. By following this procedure, investigator will be able to test several different types of therapeutics to determine their effects on immunologic responses against the allograft, as well as determine the longevity of a therapeutics effect on the allograft. After developing this protocol, our group has been able to test different viral vector vehicles for gene delivery, as well as a model for acute allograph rejection to gain an understanding of the pathophysiology of rejection and efficacy of gene delivery using viral vectors.

a-porcine-heterotopic-heart-transplantation-protocol-for-delivery

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

A Modified Method for Heterotopic Mouse Heart Transplantion

Mice are often used as heart transplant donors and recipients in studies of transplant immunology due to the wide range of transgenic mice and reagents available. A difficulty is presented due to the small size of the animal and the considerable technical challenges of the microsurgery involved in heart transplantation. In particular, a high rate of technical failure early after transplantation may result from recipient death and post-operative complications such as hind limb paralysis or a non-beating heart. Here, the complete technique for heterotopic mouse heart transplantation is demonstrated, involving harvesting the donor heart and its subsequent implantation into a recipient mouse. The donor heart is harvested immediately following in situ perfusion with cold heparinized saline and transection of the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery. The recipient operation involves preparation of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava (IVC), followed by end-to-side anastomosis of the donor aorta with the recipient aorta using a single running 10-0 microsuture and a similar anastomosis of the donor pulmonary artery with the recipient IVC. Following the operation the animal is injected with 0.6 ml normal saline subcutaneously and allowed to recover on a 37&#160;&#176;C heating pad. The results from 227 mouse heart transplants are summarized with a success rate at 48 hr of 86.8%. Of the 13.2% failures within 48 hr, 5 (2.2%) experienced hind limb paralysis, 10 (4.4%) had a non-beating heart due to graft ischemic injury and/or thrombosis, while 15 (6.6%) died within 48 hr.

A technique is demonstrated for the microsurgical procedure for heterotopic transplantation of hearts in mice, including simplified methods for donor harvesting and recipient vessel anastomosis.

Mice are often used as heart transplant donors and recipients in studies of transplant immunology due to the wide range of transgenic mice and reagents ...

Murine Heterotopic Heart Transplant Technique

It is now over forty years since this technique was first reported by Corry, Wynn and Russell. Although it took some years for other labs to become proficient in and utilize this technique, it is now widely used by many laboratories around the world. A significant refinement to the original technique was developed and reported in 2001 by Niimi. Described here are the techniques that have evolved over more than a decade in the hands of three surgeons (Plenter, Grazia, Pietra) in our center. These techniques are now being passed on to a younger generation of surgeons and researchers.
Based largely on the Niimi experience, the procedures used have evolved in the fine details - details which we will endeavor to relate here in such a way that others may be able to use this very useful model. Like Niimi, we have found that a video aid to learning is a priceless resource for the beginner.

The manuscript describes the steps required to perform the heterotopic heart transplant in the mouse.

It is now over forty years since this technique was first reported by Corry, Wynn and Russell. Although it took some years for other labs to become ...

Transplantation of Pulmonary Valve Using a Mouse Model of Heterotopic Heart Transplantation

Tissue engineered heart valves, especially decellularized valves, are starting to gain momentum in clinical use of reconstructive surgery with mixed results. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the neotissue development, valve thickening, and stenosis development are not researched extensively. To answer the above questions, we developed a murine heterotopic heart valve transplantation model. A heart valve was harvested from a valve donor mouse and transplanted to a heart donor mouse. The heart with a new valve was transplanted heterotopically to a recipient mouse. The transplanted heart showed its own heartbeat, independent of the recipient&#8217;s heartbeat. The blood flow was quantified using a high frequency ultrasound system with a pulsed wave Doppler. The flow through the implanted pulmonary valve showed forward flow with minimal regurgitation and the peak flow was close to 100 mm/sec. This murine model of heart valve transplantation is highly versatile, so it can be modified and adapted to provide different hemodynamic environments and/or can be used with various transgenic mice to study neotissue development in a tissue engineered heart valve.

In order to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neotissue formation and stenosis development in tissue engineered heart valves, a murine model of heterotopic heart valve transplantation was developed. A pulmonary heart valve was transplanted to recipient using the heterotopic heart transplantation technique.

Tissue engineered heart valves, especially decellularized valves, are starting to gain momentum in clinical use of reconstructive surgery with mixed ...

Rat Heterotopic Abdominal Heart/Single-lung Transplantation in a Volume-loaded Configuration

Herein, we describe a novel technique for heterotopic abdominal heart-lung transplantation (HAHLT) in rats. The configuration of the transplant graft involves anastomosis of donor inferior vena cava (IVC) to recipient IVC, and donor ascending aorta (Ao) to recipient abdominal Ao. The right upper and middle lung lobes are preserved and function as conduits for blood flow from right heart to left heart.
There are several advantages to using this technique, and it lends itself to a broad range of applications. Because the graft is transplanted in a configuration that allows for dyamic volume-loading, cardiac function may be directly assessed in vivo. The use of pressure-volume conductance catheters permits characterization of load-dependent and load-independent hemodynamic parameters. The graft may be converted to a loaded configuration by applying a clamp to the recipient&#8217;s infra-hepatic IVC. We describe modified surgical techniques for both donor and recipient operations, and an ideal myocardial protection strategy. Depending on the experimental aim, this model may be adapted for use in both acute and chronic studies of graft function, immunologic status, and variable ventricular loading conditions. The conducting airways to the transplanted lung are preserved, and allow for acute lung re-ventilation. This facilitates analysis of the effects of the mixed venous and arterial blood providing coronary perfusion to the graft.
A limitation of this model is its technical complexity. There is a significant learning curve for new operators, who should ideally be mentored in the technique. A surgical training background is advantageous for those wishing to apply this model. Despite its complexity, we aim to present the model in a clear and easily applicable format. Because of the physiologic similarity of this model to orthotopic transplantation, and its broad range of study applications, the effort invested in learning the technique is likely to be worthwhile.

We describe a novel technique for heterotopic abdominal heart-lung transplantation (HAHLT) in rats. The transplant configuration results in a partially loaded graft circulation, allowing direct functional assessment. This model may be employed for acute or chronic studies of function and immunologic status of the transplanted graft.

Herein, we describe a novel technique for heterotopic abdominal heart-lung transplantation (HAHLT) in rats. The configuration of the transplant graft ...

Heterotopic Cervical Heart Transplantation in Mice

The heterotopic cervical heart transplantation in mice is a valuable tool in transplant and cardiovascular research. The cuff technique greatly simplifies this model by avoiding challenging suture anastomoses of small vessels thereby reducing warm ischemia time. In comparison to abdominal graft implantation the cervical model is less invasive and the implanted graft is easily accessible for further follow-up examinations. Anastomoses are performed by pulling the ascending aorta of the graft over the cuff with the recipient&#8217;s common carotid artery and by pulling the main pulmonary artery over the cuff with the external jugular vein. Selection of appropriate cuff size and complete mobilization of the vessels are important for successful revascularization. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury can be minimized by perfusing the graft with a cardioplegic solution and by hypothermia. In this article, we provide technical details for a simplified and improved cuff technique, which should allow surgeons with basic microsurgical skills to perform the procedure with a high success rate.

The cuff technique shortens and facilitates the model of heterotopic cervical heart transplantation in mice by avoiding technically challenging suture anastomoses of small vessels. The technical details shown in this video paper should allow researches to establish this model in their laboratories.

The heterotopic cervical heart transplantation in mice is a valuable tool in transplant and cardiovascular research. The cuff technique greatly simplifies ...

Heterotopic Renal Autotransplantation in a Porcine Model: A Step-by-Step Protocol

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. It offers better life expectancy and higher quality of life when compared to dialysis. Although the last few decades have seen major improvements in patient outcomes following kidney transplantation, the increasing shortage of available organs represents a severe problem worldwide. To expand the donor pool, marginal kidney grafts recovered from extended criteria donors (ECD) or donated after circulatory death (DCD) are now accepted for transplantation. To further improve the postoperative outcome of these marginal grafts, research must focus on new therapeutic approaches such as alternative preservation techniques, immunomodulation, gene transfer, and stem cell administration.
Experimental studies in animal models are the final step before newly developed techniques can be translated into clinical practice. Porcine kidney transplantation is an excellent model of human transplantation and allows investigation of novel approaches. The major advantage of the porcine model is its anatomical and physiological similarity to the human body, which facilitates the rapid translation of new findings to clinical trials. This article offers a surgical step-by-step protocol for an autotransplantation model and highlights key factors to ensure experimental success. Adequate pre- and postoperative housing, attentive anesthesia, and consistent surgical techniques result in favorable postoperative outcomes. Resection of the contralateral native kidney provides the opportunity to assess post-transplant graft function. The placement of venous and urinary catheters and the use of metabolic cages allow further detailed evaluation. For long-term follow-up studies and investigation of alternative graft preservation techniques, autotransplantation models are superior to allotransplantation models, as they avoid the confounding bias posed by rejection and immunosuppressive medication.

Porcine models of organ transplantation provide an important platform to study mechanisms of organ preservation. This article describes a heterotopic porcine renal autotransplantation model, which allows investigating new approaches to improve the outcome of transplantation using marginal kidney grafts.

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. It offers better life expectancy and higher quality ...

A Pre-Clinical Porcine Model of Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

Fifty-years following the first successful report, cardiac transplantation remains the gold-standard treatment for eligible patients with advanced heart failure. Multiple small-animal models of heart transplantation have been used to study the acute and long-term effects of novel therapies. However, few are tested and demonstrated success in clinical trials. It is of critical importance to evaluate new therapies in a clinically relevant large-animal model for efficient and reliable translation of basic studies&#39;&#160;findings. Here, we describe a pre-clinical large-animal (porcine) model of orthotopic heart transplantation that has been firmly established and previously used to investigate novel cardioprotective strategies. This procedure focuses on acute ischemia-reperfusion injury and is a reliable method to investigate novel interventions which have been tested and validated in smaller experimental models, such as the murine model. We demonstrate its usefulness in assessing cardiac performance during the early post-transplantation period and other potential possibilities enabled by the model.

Here, we describe a pre-clinical large-animal (porcine) model of orthotopic heart transplantation that has been firmly established and utilized to investigate novel cardioprotective strategies.

Fifty-years following the first successful report, cardiac transplantation remains the gold-standard treatment for eligible patients with advanced heart ...

A Simplified Model for Heterotopic Heart Valve Transplantation in Rodents

There is an urgent clinical need for heart valve replacements that can grow in children. Heart valve transplantation is proposed as a new type of transplant with the potential to deliver durable heart valves capable of somatic growth with no requirement for anticoagulation. However, the immunobiology of heart valve transplants remains unexplored, highlighting the need for animal models to study this new type of transplant. Previous rat models for heterotopic aortic valve transplantation into the abdominal aorta have been described, though they are technically challenging and costly. For addressing this challenge, a renal subcapsular transplant model was developed in rodents as a practical and more straightforward method for studying heart valve transplant immunobiology. In this model, a single aortic valve leaflet is harvested and inserted into the renal subcapsular space. The kidney is easily accessible, and the transplanted tissue is securely contained in a subcapsular space that is well vascularized and can accommodate a variety of tissue sizes. Furthermore, because a single rat can provide three donor aortic leaflets and a single kidney can provide multiple sites for transplanted tissue, fewer rats are required for a given study. Here, the transplantation technique is described, providing a significant step forward in studying the transplant immunology of heart valve transplantation.

This protocol describes a simple and efficient method for the transplantation of aortic valve leaflets under the renal capsule to allow for the study of alloreactivity of heart valves.

There is an urgent clinical need for heart valve replacements that can grow in children. Heart valve transplantation is proposed as a new type of ...

Left Lung Orthotopic Transplantation in a Juvenile Porcine Model for ESLP

Lung transplantation is the gold-standard treatment for end-stage lung disease, with over 4,600 lung transplantations performed worldwide annually. However, lung transplantation is limited by a shortage of available donor organs. As such, there is high waitlist mortality. Ex situ lung perfusion (ESLP) has increased donor lung utilization rates in some centers by 15%-20%. ESLP has been applied as a method to assess and recondition marginal donor lungs and has demonstrated acceptable short- and long-term outcomes following transplantation of extended criteria donor (ECD) lungs. Large animal (in vivo) transplantation models are required to validate ongoing in vitro research findings. Anatomic and physiologic differences between humans and pigs pose significant technical and anesthetic challenges. An easily reproducible transplant model would permit the&#160;in vivo&#160;validation of current ESLP strategies and the preclinical evaluation of various interventions designed to improve donor lung function. This protocol describes a porcine model of orthotopic left lung allotransplantation. This includes anesthetic and surgical techniques, a customized surgical checklist, troubleshooting, modifications, and the benefits and limitations of the approach.

This protocol describes a juvenile porcine model of orthotopic left lung allotransplantation designed for use with ESLP research. Focus is made on anesthetic and surgical techniques, as well as critical steps and troubleshooting.

Lung transplantation is the gold-standard treatment for end-stage lung disease, with over 4,600 lung transplantations performed worldwide annually. ...

A Modified Cuff Technique for Mouse Cervical Heterotopic Heart Transplantation Model

Cardiac allograft rejection limits the long-term survival of patients after heart transplantation. A mouse heart transplantation model is ideal for investigating the mechanism of cardiac allograft rejection in preclinical studies because of their high homology with human genes. This understanding would help develop unique approaches to improving patients&#39; long-term survival treated with cardiac allografts. In a mouse model, abdominal donor heart implantation is commonly performed with an end-to-end&#160;anastomosis to the recipient&#39;s aorta and inferior vena cava using stitches. In this model, the donor&#39;s heart is implanted by end-to-end anastomosis to the recipient&#39;s carotid artery and jugular vein by the modified-Cuff technique. The transplantation surgery is performed without stitching and thus may increase the survival of the recipient since there is no interference with the blood supply and venous reflux of the lower body. This mouse model would help investigate the mechanisms underlying the immunological and pathological (acute/chronic) rejection of cardiac allografts.

In the present protocol, a mouse heart transplantation model is used for investigating the mechanism of cardiac allograft rejection. In this heterotopic heart transplantation model, operation efficiency is improved, and the survival of cardiac grafts is ensured by a cervical end-to-end anastomosis of heart implantation using a modified Cuff technique.

Cardiac allograft rejection limits the long-term survival of patients after heart transplantation. A mouse heart transplantation model is ideal for ...