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Here, we present optimizations to a rat lung transplantation model that serve to improve outcomes. We provide a size guide for cuffs based on body weight, a measurement strategy to ascertain the 4th intercostal space, and methods of wound closure and BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) fluid and tissue collection.
From our experience with rat lung transplantation, we have found several areas for improvement. Information in the existing literature regarding methods for choosing appropriate cuff sizes for the pulmonary vein (PV), pulmonary artery (PA), or bronchus (Br) are varied, thus making the determination of proper cuff size during rat lung transplantation an exercise of trial and error. By standardizing the cuffing technique to use the smallest effective cuff appropriate for the size of the vessel or bronchus, one can make the transplantation procedure safer, faster, and more successful. Since diameters of the PV, PA, and Br are related to the body weight of the rat, we present a strategy to choosing an appropriate size using a weight-based guide. Since lung volume is also related to body weight, we recommend that this relationship should also be considered when choosing the proper volume of air for donor lung inflation during warm ischemia as well as for the proper volume of PBS to be instilled during bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid collection. We also describe methods for 4th intercostal space dissection, wound closure, and sample collection from both the native and transplanted lobes.
For over three decades, researchers have been modifying and improving rat lung transplantation models so that the data generated are more consistent and more reflective of the actual clinical condition. In our laboratory's time performing this model, we have determined four areas of improvement: cuffing techniques for anastomoses, identification of the recipient's 4th intercostal space, lung inflation and wound closure during the recipient's procedure, and the harvesting of samples for analysis.
Cuffing technique modifications for anastomoses can improve the entire transplantation procedure by shortening handling time of the donor lung1,2,3,4,5,6 and making the anastomosis procedure faster and technically easier for the microsurgeon. While it is critical to use the proper sized cuffs to supply the necessary blood and airflow to the transplanted lung, there is limited guidance regarding how one should choose the size of cuffs for the pulmonary vein (PV), pulmonary artery (PA), or bronchus (Br)5,7,8,9. Since the diameters of the PV, PA, and Br are related to the body weight of the donor and recipient rats, we propose that the cuff size be based on body weight. This report provides a size guide for cuffs based on a rat's body weight (180 g to over 270 g) that serves to optimize blood and air supply to the transplanted lung (Table 1).
While a newer microsurgeon can successfully and easily procure a donor lung during the donor procedure, transplanting the lung during the recipient's procedure is more complicated and is dependent on the microsurgeon's experience. Attempts to find the 4th intercostal space to access the recipient's left lung is one of the more difficult steps that holds some subjectivity and can increase the procedure time. Therefore, we introduce a simple and objective method to assist in the identification of the 4th intercostal space location by using chest measurements and the palpitations of the heart to find the correct area chest wall to dissect4,5,6,10,11,12.
We also propose an improvement to donor lung inflation, which is a potential source of injury to the organ. The donor lung is deflated until reperfusion starts. While suturing the 4th intercostal space, the donor lung is commonly inflated by increasing PEEP from 2 cmH2O to 6 cmH2O. In order to minimize lung injury from overinflation, we propose a technique where three 6-0 nylon sutures are placed around the 4th rib inferior to the 5th rib with simple double knots. When it is time for wound closure, the ends of the three sutures are held with hemostats in both hands, the wound is closed all at once by pulling up on each side, and PEEP is immediately reduced to 2 cmH2O. In this way, the lung is allowed to expand for the shortest time possible10.
At the conclusion of an experiment, the researcher often wants to collect many types of samples for many types of analysis from each transplant. For example, snap frozen tissue, formalin fixed tissue, tissue for wet-to-dry weight ratio to determine pulmonary edema, and bronchoalvelolar lavage (BAL) fluid can all be used to assess how well the transplant went. The traditional method of collecting BAL fluid allows for a mixed pooled sample from both the recipient's native lobes and the donor's transplanted lobe13,14,15. To overcome this, we present a method of clamping the hilar areas that can yield more precise insight into the transplanted and native lungs' condition. Additionally, the volume of PBS used to collect BAL fluid from each side of the lungs is important to consider because BAL fluid contains numerous soluble factors such as cytokines and chemokines that are measured by concentration. Normalizing the volume of the fluid instilled to the estimated volume of lung capacity can help with comparison. With four lobes on the right side and one lobe on the left side, each of the rat's five lobes has a different volume and surface area16. According to a previous study on volume measurement of lung lobes by Backer et al., of the total volume of the whole lung the volume of the right lobes is 63% (4400 mm3) and the left lobe is 37% (2500 mm3). Therefore, we recommend that the volume of PBS used to collect BAL fluid should be calculated as twice the tidal volume (7.2 mL/kg) multiplied by 63% for the right lung and 37% for the left lung. By using this approach, one can better control for variables like body weight and timing10,16.
In all, in this report we will demonstrate a few modifications to the standard experimental model of rat lung transplantation that can make the procedure more efficient and increase the capability of generating more accurate and plentiful data from each experiment.
Male Sprague-Dawley rats (180-270 g body weight) were purchased commercially (e.g., Envigo) and were housed under pathogen-free conditions at The Ohio State University Animal Facility. All procedures were humanely performed according to the NIH and the National Research Council's Guide for the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and with the approval of The Ohio State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC Protocol # 2012A00000135-R2).
1. Initial setup
2. Donor rat preparation
3. Donor lung warm ischemia and procurement
4. Recipient rat preparation
5. Anastomoses
6. Reperfusion
7. Collection of experimental specimens (plasma, lung tissue)
In order to measure pulmonary edema, the wet-to-dry weight ratio was calculated. The donor's native lobe, the transplanted lobe, and the recipient's native lobe were collected as described in the protocol and weighed immediately for wet weight, dried at 60 °C for 48 h, and then weighed again for the dry weight. An increased wet-to-dry weight ratio would be indicative of pulmonary edema. Our results indicate that the transplanted lobe did have a significant increase in wet-to-dry ...
In this report, we have intervened at several critical steps in a rat lung transplantation protocol to optimize the procedure. While various cuffing techniques for rat lung transplantation has been reported1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9...
BAW, YGL and JLK are supported through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant R01HL143000. BAW is supported through the Department of Defense (DOD) grant W81XWH1810787. SMB is supported through NIH grant R01DK123475. JM is supported through NIH grants AR061385, AR070752, DK106394, and AG056919 as well as by DOD grant W81XWH-18-1-0787.
None.
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
12 Gauge angio-catheter | BD | 382277 | |
14 Gauge angio-catheter | B. Braun | 4251717-02 | |
16 Gauge angio-catheter | B. Braun | 4252586-02 | |
18 Gauge angio-catheter | B. Braun | 4251679-02 | |
20 Gauge angio-catheter | B. Braun | 4252527-02 | |
4-0 silk suture | Surgical Specialties Corp. | SP116 | |
6-0 nylon suture | AD Surgical | S-N618R13 | |
7-0 nylon suture | AD Surgical | S-N718SP13 | |
8-0 nylon suture | AD Surgical | XXS-N807T6 | |
Betadine Spray | Avrio Health L.P | UPC 367618160039 | |
Clippers | VWR | MSPP-023326 | |
Castroviejo micro dissecting spring scissors | Roboz Surgical Instrument Co | RS-5668 | |
Dumont #5 - Fine Forceps | Fine Science Tools | 11254-20 | |
Electrocautery | Macan | MV-7A | |
Endotracheal intubation kit | Kent Scientific | ETI-MSE | |
Forceps | Fine Science Tools | 11027-12 | |
Halsted-mosquito hemostat | Roboz Surgical Instrument Co | RS-7112 | |
Heparin | Fresnius Medical Care | C504701 | |
Insulin syringe | Life Technologies | B328446 | |
Isoflurane | Piramal Critical Care | NDC 66794-017-25 | |
Isopropyl Alcohol Swabs | BD | 326895 | |
Ketamine | Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC | NDC 0413-9505-10 | |
Dieffenbach Bulldog Clamp | World Precision Instruments | WPI14117 | |
Needle holder/Forceps, Curved | Micrins | MI1542 | |
Needle holder/Forceps, Straight | Micrins | MI1540 | |
Perfadex Plus (Organ Preservation Solution) | XVIVO Perfusion AB | REF# 19950 | |
PhysioSuite | Kent Scientific | PS-MSTAT-RT | Used to check SpO2 and heartbeat |
Retractor | Roboz Surgical Instrument Co | RS-6560 | |
Saline | PP Pharmaceuticals LLC | NDC 63323-186-10 | |
Scissors | Fine Science Tools | 14090-11 | |
SomnoSuite Small Animal Anesthesia System | Kent Scientific | SS-MVG-Module | |
Sterile Cotton Gauze Pad | Fisherbrand | 22-415-469 | |
Surgical Microscope | Leica | M500-N w/ OHS | |
Syringe 5mL | BD | 309646 | |
Vannas-Tubingen Spring Scissors | Fine Science Tools | 15008-08 | |
Xylazine | Korn Pharmaceuticals Corp | NDC 59399-110-20 | |
Yasargil Clamp | Aesculap, Inc | FT351T | Used to clamp bronchus |
Yasargil Clamp | Aesculap, Inc | FT261T | Used to clamp hilum |
Yasargil Clamp Applicator | Aesculap, Inc | FT484T |
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