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. 2023 Nov;39(11):1129-1134.
doi: 10.1002/kjm2.12742. Epub 2023 Aug 13.

Heterotopic intestine and abdominal wall transplantation in a miniature swine: A model for graft immunology

Yur-Ren Kuo  1   2 , Yu-Han Chen  1 , Yung-Sung Yeh  1   3   4 , Chao-Wei Chang  1 , Ching-Chun Li  1   5 , Ting-Yu Cai  2 , Han-Ching Chang  2 , Yu-Tang Chang  1   2
Affiliations

Heterotopic intestine and abdominal wall transplantation in a miniature swine: A model for graft immunology

Yur-Ren Kuo et al. Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

In order to accurately monitor graft immunology, we have developed a method for performing intestine and abdominal wall transplantation heterotopically in miniature swine. The procedure consisted of simultaneous segmental terminal ileum and full-thickness abdominal wall transplantation in Lanyu miniature swine, with the intestinal and the abdominal wall grafts being placed on the recipient's bilateral rear flank. Five transplantations were technically successful. One animal died on the first post-transplant day due to anesthesia-related issues, three abdominal wall and four intestinal grafts survived, while one abdominal wall graft failed due to vascular thrombosis. Acute cellular rejection (ACR) of the intestinal graft could occur preceding, simultaneously with or following ACR of the abdominal wall graft. Our experimental model demonstrates the technical feasibility of heterotopic intestine and abdominal wall transplantation in miniature swine without grafting in gastrointestinal continuity. This model could be suitable for further studies of graft immunology.

Keywords: Lanyu pig; abdominal wall-vascularized composite allotransplantation; intestinal transplantation; miniature swine.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Details of five transplantations. (A) Segmental ileal loops were harvested. (B) Note ileal grafts after reperfusion. (C) The full thickness abdominal wall grafts were harvested. (D) Note the abdominal wall graft on left rear flank after reperfusion. (E) Bilateral lower quadrant curvilinear incision for graft implantation. (F) Exteriorization of ileal grafts through stoma sutured to the skin of right rear flank.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Note central venous catheter (black arrow) and gastrostomy (white arrow).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Body weight of first, third, and fifth recipients after transplantation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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