Abstract: TH-PO644
Machine Perfusion Affects Endothelium of Porcine Kidneys Irrespective of Haematocrit of Perfusion Fluid
Session Information
- Transplantation: Basic
November 03, 2022 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Orange County Convention Center‚ West Building
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Transplantation
- 2001 Transplantation: Basic
Authors
- van 't Hof, Cor, Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Huijink, Tobias M., Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Meter, Anita, Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- van den Born, Jacob, Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Berger, Stefan P., Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Leuvenink, Henri, Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Background
In transplanted kidneys, ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of renal failure and eventual allograft loss. In the pathological mechanisms of IRI, renal endothelium plays a key role. In this project, the effects of different haematocrits during kidney machine perfusion on the endothelium were investigated by assessing phenotypic alterations in renal endothelial cells in porcine kidneys.
Methods
Two experimental groups of porcine kidneys (n=6 per group), obtained from a local abattoir, were subjected to 35 minutes of warm ischemia and flushed with 1L saline. Thereafter, kidneys underwent 3 hours of hypothermic and 4 hours of normothermic machine perfusion (NMP). During NMP experimental groups were perfused with either a 24% or 36% haematocrit. Post-nephrectomy and post-normothermic machine perfusion biopsies of two groups were obtained and stained for endothelial markers vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and endocan. The stained sections were scanned and quantified digitally. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. P-values were calculated using a paired T-test, in the case of a normal distribution, or a Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, in the case of a non-normal distribution.
Results
Since no significant differences were found between 24% and 36% haematocrit groups, both groups were combined. The expression of endocan and VEGFR-2 was significantly reduced from post-nephrectomy to post- normothermic machine perfusion in both groups. Endocan expression was mainly decreased in the glomerular capillaries compared to peritubular capillaries (P=0.012 and P=0.596). VEGFR-2 expression both in glomerular and peritubular capillaries was largely lost after normothermic machine perfusion, P=0.002 and P=0.003 respectively.
Conclusion
These data show that machine perfusion, irrespective of the haematocrit of the perfusion solution, strongly affects the endothelium of the perfused kidneys. Additional analysis will be performed to explore when this decline in expression occurs.
Funding
- Government Support – Non-U.S.