The authors would like to thank Jerome Valero for editing this manuscript. Figure 1 and Figure 3I,J,L were created with BioRender.com.

All animals were treated in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Canadian Council on Animal Care in the Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals. The experimental protocol was approved by the Animal Care Committee of the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network.
1. Donor surgery
NOTE: BALB/c mice are used as an example of donors for the experiment. All procedures must be performed utilizing a sterile t...

Exploring Obliterative Airway Disease in Lung Transplants

<ol>
	<li>Chambers, D. C., 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=The+International+Thoracic+Organ+Transplant+Registry+of+the+International+Society+for+Heart+and+Lung+Transplantation:+Thirty-fifth+adult+lung+and+heart-lung+transplant+report-2018;+Focus+theme:+Multiorgan+Transplantation.">The International Thoracic Organ Transplant Registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: Thirty-fifth adult lung and heart-lung transplant report-2018; Focus theme: Multiorgan Transplantation.</a> J Heart Lung Transplant. 37 (10), 1169-1183 (2018).</li><li>Hertz, M. I., Jessurun, J., King, M. B., Savik, S. K., Murray, J. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reproduction+of+the+obliterative+bronchiolitis+lesion+after+heterotopic+transplantation+of+mouse+airways.">Reproduction of the obliterative bronchiolitis lesion after heterotopic transplantation of mouse airways.</a> American J Pathol. 142 (6), 1945-1951 (1993).</li><li>Ikonen, T. S., Brazelton, T. R., Berry, G. J., Shorthouse, R. S., Morris, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epithelial+re-growth+is+associated+with+inhibition+of+obliterative+airway+disease+in+orthotopic+tracheal+allografts+in+non-immunosuppressed+rats.">Epithelial re-growth is associated with inhibition of obliterative airway disease in orthotopic tracheal allografts in non-immunosuppressed rats.</a> Transplantation. 70 (6), 857 (2000).</li><li>Dutly, A. E., 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=A+novel+model+for+post-transplant+obliterative+airway+disease+reveals+angiogenesis+from+the+pulmonary+circulation.">A novel model for post-transplant obliterative airway disease reveals angiogenesis from the pulmonary circulation.</a> Am J Transplant. 5 (2), 248-254 (2005).</li><li>Wagnetz, D., 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=Rejection+of+tracheal+allograft+by+intrapulmonary+lymphoid+neogenesis+in+the+absence+of+secondary+lymphoid+organs.">Rejection of tracheal allograft by intrapulmonary lymphoid neogenesis in the absence of secondary lymphoid organs.</a> Transplantation. 93 (12), 1212-1220 (2012).</li><li>Hirayama, 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=Local+long-term+expression+of+lentivirally+delivered+IL-10+in+the+lung+attenuates+obliteration+of+intrapulmonary+allograft+airways.">Local long-term expression of lentivirally delivered IL-10 in the lung attenuates obliteration of intrapulmonary allograft airways.</a> Hum Gene Ther. 22 (11), 1453-1460 (2011).</li><li>Watanabe, T., 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=Recipient+bone+marrow-derived+IL-17+receptor+A-positive+cells+drive+allograft+fibrosis+in+a+mouse+intrapulmonary+tracheal+transplantation+model.">Recipient bone marrow-derived IL-17 receptor A-positive cells drive allograft fibrosis in a mouse intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation model.</a> Transpl Immunol. 69, 101467 (2021).</li><li>Matsuda, Y., 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=Spleen+tyrosine+kinase+modulates+fibrous+airway+obliteration+and+associated+lymphoid+neogenesis+after+transplantation.">Spleen tyrosine kinase modulates fibrous airway obliteration and associated lymphoid neogenesis after transplantation.</a> Am J Transplant. 16 (1), 342-352 (2016).</li><li>Suzuki, Y., 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=Effect+of+CTLA4-Ig+on+Obliterative+bronchiolitis+in+a+mouse+intrapulmonary+tracheal+transplantation+model.">Effect of CTLA4-Ig on Obliterative bronchiolitis in a mouse intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation model.</a> Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 27 (6), 355-365 (2021).</li><li>Watanabe, T., 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=A+potent+anti-angiogenic+factor,+vasohibin-1,+ameliorates+experimental+bronchiolitis+obliterans.">A potent anti-angiogenic factor, vasohibin-1, ameliorates experimental bronchiolitis obliterans.</a> Transplant Proc. 44 (4), 1155-1157 (2012).</li><li>Aloisi, F., Pujol-Borrell, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lymphoid+neogenesis+in+chronic+inflammatory+diseases.">Lymphoid neogenesis in chronic inflammatory diseases.</a> Nat Rev Immunol. 6 (3), 205-217 (2006).</li><li>Cupedo, T., Jansen, W., Kraal, G., Mebius, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Induction+of+secondary+and+tertiary+lymphoid+structures+in+the+skin.">Induction of secondary and tertiary lymphoid structures in the skin.</a> Immunity. 21 (5), 655-667 (2004).</li><li>Sato, 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=The+role+of+intrapulmonary+de+novo+lymphoid+tissue+in+obliterative+bronchiolitis+after+lung+transplantation.">The role of intrapulmonary de novo lymphoid tissue in obliterative bronchiolitis after lung transplantation.</a> J Immunol. 182 (11), 7307-7316 (2009).</li><li>Okazaki, 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=Maintenance+of+airway+epithelium+in+acutely+rejection+orthotopic+vascularized+mouse+lung+transplants.">Maintenance of airway epithelium in acutely rejection orthotopic vascularized mouse lung transplants.</a> A J Resp Cell Mol Biol. 37 (6), 625-630 (2007).</li><li>Yamada, Y., 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=Chronic+airway+fibrosis+in+orthotopic+mouse+lung+transplantation+models-an+experimental+reappraisal.">Chronic airway fibrosis in orthotopic mouse lung transplantation models-an experimental reappraisal.</a> Transplantation. 102 (2), e49-e58 (2018).</li><li>Watanabe, T., 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=A+B+cell-dependent+pathway+drives+chronic+lung+allograft+rejection+after+ischemia-reperfusion+injury+in+mice.">A B cell-dependent pathway drives chronic lung allograft rejection after ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice.</a> Am J Transplant. 19 (12), 3377-3389 (2019).</li><li>Guo, Y., 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=Vendor-specific+microbiome+controls+both+acute+and+chronic+murine+lung+allograft+rejection+by+altering+CD4+Foxp3++regulatory+T+cell+levels.">Vendor-specific microbiome controls both acute and chronic murine lung allograft rejection by altering CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cell levels.</a> Am J Transplant. 19 (10), 2705-2718 (2019).</li></ol>

The authors of this manuscript have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

The murine IPTT procedure includes critical steps. Regarding anesthesia, the first crucial step is endotracheal intubation. It is essential to hold the mouse at an appropriate height with its legs on the table to visualize the vocal cords and facilitate immediate intubation. Additionally, careful respiratory volume and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) adjustment is necessary. Typically, a respiratory volume of 500 &#181;L and a PEEP of 2 cmH2O are sufficient for mice weighing 25-30 g. However, larger re...

Lung transplantation has been established as an effective treatment for patients with end-stage respiratory diseases. However, the median survival rate for human lung transplant recipients is only approximately 6 years, with the development of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB), a type of obstructive airway disease (OAD), being a major cause of death after the first year post transplantation1.
Several animal models have been utilized to investigate the mechanism underlying OAD. One such model is the heterotopic tracheal transplantation (HTT) model2. In this model, tracheal grafts are implanted into the recipient&#39;s subcutaneous tissue or omentum. Ischemia-induced loss of tracheal graft epithelial cells occurs, followed by alloreactive lymphocyte infiltration and apoptosis of donor epithelial cells. Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts migrate around the trachea, producing an extracellular matrix. Finally, complete fibrous obliteration of the airway lumen occurs. The HTT model is technically simple, provides an in vivo environment, and offers high reproducibility.
Another model for studying OAD is the rat orthotopic tracheal transplantation (OTT) model, where tracheal grafts are interposed into the recipient&#39;s trachea to maintain physiological ventilation3. In this model, ischemia-induced depletion of donor epithelial cells results in their replacement by recipient epithelial cells within the trachea, forming an unobstructed airway accompanied by moderate fibrosis. Although these models have contributed to the understanding of airway obliteration after lung transplantation, they have limitations in terms of recapitulation of the lung parenchymal microenvironment.
Our research group introduced the rat intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation (IPTT) model, where tracheal grafts are implanted into the recipient lung4 (Figure 1). The IPTT model exhibits fibrous obliteration of the airway lumen occurring within the lung microenvironment. Furthermore, it has been successfully applied to mice that are technically more challenging than rat IPTT5,6,7,8,9,10. This adaptation of the murine IPTT model enabled us to delve deeper into the intricate details of the lung immunological environment of OAD after lung transplantation using transgenic mice.
The IPTT model possesses some unique features. One is neoangiogenesis, which is facilitated by pulmonary circulation and plays a crucial role in airway obliteration4,10. Additionally, the IPTT model exhibits lymphoid aggregates, some of which have high endothelial venules expressing peripheral node addressin, indicating that they are tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs)7,8. TLOs resemble lymph nodes and consist of T cells, B cells, and frequently, a germinal center accompanied by follicular dendritic cells11,12. TLOs have been reported in various chronic inflammatory diseases, including airway obliteration, making the IPTT model suitable for investigating the role of TLOs in airway obliteration7,8,11,12,13. This paper presents the methodology of the murine IPTT model, with the goal of familiarizing researchers with this model and facilitate further investigations into airway obliteration following lung transplantation.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>BALB/cJ</td>
			<td>The Jackson Laboratory</td>
			<td>8-10 weeks 25-30 g</td>
			<td>Male, Donor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BD 1 mL Syringe</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>309659</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BD PrecisionGlide Needle Aiguile BD 
			PrecisionGlide</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>305122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovie Change-A-Tip Deluxe High-Temperture</td>
			<td>Bovie</td>
			<td>DEL1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C57BL/6J</td>
			<td>The Jackson Laboratory</td>
			<td>8-10 weeks 25-30 g</td>
			<td>Male, Recipient</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #5/45 Forceps</td>
			<td>F&#183;S&#183;T</td>
			<td>11251-35</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethicon Ligaclip Multiple -Clip Appliers-</td>
			<td>Ethicon</td>
			<td>LX107</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Extra Fine Graefe Forceps</td>
			<td>F&#183;S&#183;T</td>
			<td>11150-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glover Bulldog Clamp</td>
			<td>Integra</td>
			<td>320-127</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Halsted-Mosquito Hemostats</td>
			<td>F&#183;S&#183;T</td>
			<td>13009-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Horizon Titanium Ligating Clips</td>
			<td>Teleflex</td>
			<td>001201</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Leica M651 Manual surgical microscope for microsurgical procedures</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Magnetix Fixator with spring lock</td>
			<td>CD+ LABS</td>
			<td>ACD-001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microsurgical Scissor</td>
			<td>Jarit</td>
			<td>277-051</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse and Perinatal Rat Ventilator Model 687</td>
			<td>Harvard</td>
			<td>55-0001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Perfadex Plus</td>
			<td>XVIVO</td>
			<td>19850</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Retractor Tip Blunt - 2.5 mm</td>
			<td>CD+ LABS</td>
			<td>ACD-011</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>small animal table</td>
			<td>CD+ LABS</td>
			<td>ACD-003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgipro Blue 24&#34; CV-1 Taper, Double Armed</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>VP702X</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Systane ointment</td>
			<td>Alconn</td>
			<td>1444062</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>System Elastomer</td>
			<td>CD+ LABS</td>
			<td>ACD-007</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Terumo Surflo IV Catheter, 20 G x 1 in</td>
			<td>Terumo Medical Corporation</td>
			<td>SR-OX2025CA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VMT table Top</td>
			<td>benson</td>
			<td>91803300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

murine intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation: a model for investigating obliterative airway disease after lung transplantation

Murine intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation (IPTT) is used as a model of obliterative airway disease (OAD) following lung transplantation. Initially reported by our team, this model has gained use in the study of OAD due to its high technical reproducibility and suitability for investigating immunological behaviors and therapeutic interventions.
In the IPTT model, a rodent tracheal graft is directly inserted into the recipient's lung through the pleura. This model is distinct from the heterotopic tracheal transplantation (HTT) model, wherein grafts are transplanted into subcutaneous or omental sites, and from the orthotopic tracheal transplantation (OTT) model in which the donor trachea replaces the recipient's trachea. 
Successful implementation of the IPTT model requires advanced anesthetic and surgical skills. Anesthetic skills include endotracheal intubation of the recipient, setting appropriate ventilatory parameters, and appropriately timed extubation after recovery from anesthesia. Surgical skills are essential for precise graft placement within the lung and for ensuring effective sealing of the visceral pleura to prevent air leakage and bleeding. In general, the learning process takes approximately 2 months.
In contrast to the HTT and OTT models, in the IPTT model, the allograft airway develops airway obliteration in the relevant lung microenvironment. This allows investigators to study lung-specific immunological and angiogenic processes involved in airway obliteration after lung transplantation. Furthermore, this model is also unique in that it exhibits tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs), which are also seen in human lung allografts. TLOs are comprised of T and B cell populations and characterized by the presence of high endothelial venules that direct immune cell recruitment; therefore, they are likely to play a crucial role in graft acceptance and rejection. We conclude that the IPTT model is a useful tool for studying intrapulmonary immune and profibrotic pathways involved in the development of airway obliteration in the lung transplant allograft.

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Key Factors of Obliterative Bronchiolitis After Lung Transplantation

Murine Intrapulmonary Tracheal Transplantation: A Model for Investigating Obliterative Airway Disease After Lung Transplantation

Our research is examining chronic lung allograft dysfunction after lung transplantation. When you transplant a lung, over half the patients will develop fibrous obliteration or abnormalities of the airway. Understanding this is really the key to understanding long-term survival after lung transplantation.The importance of this model of intrapulmonary tracheal transplant is that the transplanted trachea is placed into the environment of the lung itself, and therefore you can look at an allograft versus an Isograft in terms of its response after a transplant. Most fascinating is the fact that an Isograft, even though it's had the same ischemia and the same injury, completely recovers and has normal anatomy, but an allograft develops fibrous obliteration, and understanding why that happens in an allograft is the key to understanding the underlying mechanisms of fibrosis in lung transplantation.

Based on our experience, proficiency in this model typically requires approximately 2 months of training. Once proficiency is achieved, the donor procedures typically require 15 min, while the recipient procedures require approximately 30 min. The expected mortality rate for a trained operator is 0%.
In Figure 4A, a tracheal allograft exhibits complete obstruction with fibroblastic tissue, and the epithelial cells are visibly destroyed. Conversely, in <strong clas...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Author Spotlight: Investigating the Key Factors of Obliterative Bronchiolitis After Lung Transplantation at JoVE.com

The murine intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation (IPTT) model is valuable for studying obliterative airway disease (OAD) after lung transplantation. It offers insights into lung-specific immunological and angiogenic behavior in airway obliteration after allotransplantation with high reproducibility. Here, we describe the IPTT procedure and its expected results.

Murine intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation (IPTT) is used as a model of obliterative airway disease (OAD) following lung transplantation. Initially ...

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Surgical Procedure for Intrapulmonary Tracheal Transplantation in Mice

To begin, record the weight of each mouse, then position the euthanized mouse in a supine orientation and secure its limbs with tape. Use 70%isopropyl alcohol to sterilize the surgical area. Next, create a midline incision on the skin starting from the mid-abdomen to the anterior cervical region.To access the trachea, carefully retract the fat pads, laterally move the strap muscles and separate the trachea from the surrounding connective tissue. Using forceps, create a space between the trachea and the esophagus. Then lift the xiphoid and cut the diaphragm.Insert a hemostat to raise the sternum for an unobstructed path from the sternum to the neck region. Clamp the rib cage on both sides and cut through the sternum extending through the neck muscles. Now remove the thymus and any fat or muscle obstructing the trachea to expose the tracheal bifurcation.Cut the main bronchi and carefully separate the airway from the esophagus. Afterward, cut the larynx and remove it. Spray the dissected trachea with a sterile saline solution or a preservation solution.Use sterile gauze soaked in sterile saline or preservation solution and place it on ice to maintain viability. After lightly anesthetizing the mouse and an induction chamber, intraperitoneally inject a cocktail consisting of xylazine and ketamine. Return the mouse to the induction chamber with 2 to 3%isoflurane maintained.Then shave the fur at the surgical site. Confirm the absence of reflex response to a toe pinch before orotracheal intubation. Using a 20 gauge intravenous catheter, intubate the mouse orotracheally and connect it to a ventilator with 50%oxygen and 2%isoflurane.Now, activate a heating pad and position the mouse in a right lateral position on the pad with the head away from the surgeon and the tail towards the surgeon. Then secure the limbs with tape. Apply veterinary ointment to the eyes to prevent dryness while under anesthesia.Scrub the surgical area first with 7.5 povidone iodine, then 70%isopropyl alcohol, and finally, with 10%povidone iodine. During this time, load the donor trachea into a 16 gauge intravenous catheter. After making an incision in the recipient's skin, cauterize the muscle and connective tissue.Using two retractors, open the fifth or sixth intercostal space and hold the rib cage open. Then use cotton swabs and scissors to dissect the inferior pulmonary ligament. Simulate the creation of the pathway for the donor trachea.To secure the ventilator outflow tube, partially occlude it with a three-way stopcock to facilitate inflation of the left lung. Puncture the left lung with a 20 gauge needle to create a pathway. Then insert the 16 gauge intravenous catheter into the left lung and extrude the donor trachea into it.After insertion of the tracheal allograft, release the three-way stopcock to allow unobstructed expiratory flow through the outflow tube. To close the pleural injection site, position the clip precisely onto the puncture site with its edge aligned to the contour of the lung's edge. Then fill the thoracic cavity with saline solution and absorb the saline with gauze.Reinflate the left lung and close the ribs using a running suture. Close the muscle and skin with interrupted sutures. Now, turn off isoflurane and administer meloxicam analgesic subcutaneously at the end of the surgery.Observe the recipient mouse until it is awake. Then remove the tracheal tube and put the recipient mouse in a cage. A tracheal allograft exhibited complete obstruction with fibroblastic tissue, and the epithelial cells were visibly destroyed.Conversely, a tracheal isograft remained patent, and the epithelial cells were preserved. Lymphoid aggregates were observed in the lung with the transplanted tracheal allograft.

582 Views.  University Health Network.  The murine intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation (IPTT) model is valuable for studying obliterative airway disease (OAD) after lung transplantation. It offers insights into lung-specific immunological and angiogenic behavior in airway obliteration after allotransplantation with high reproducibility. Here, we describe the IPTT procedure and its expected results.

Exploring Obliterative Airway Disease in Lung Transplants

Summary