Nr. 3 - 3. Quartal 1997

Immunoadsorption of Xenoreactive Antibodies and Donor Animals Transgenic for Human Decay Accelerating Factor in Xenogeneic Pig Liver Perfusion

A. Pascher, C. Hammer

18 Landrace pigs and 3 transgenic pigs expressing human decay accelerating factor (hDAF) were hepatectomised according to standard techniques. Their livers were ex-vivo xenoperfused close to physiological conditions with pooled human blood for four hours. The influence of the perfusion circuit was investigated by perfusions of the circuit in the absence of livers (G1;n=5). Livers were perfused without modifications in group 2 (G2;n=6). In group 3 (G3;n=6), pure sepharose columns, carrier of the adsorbing antibodies, were used prior to liver perfusion. Immunoapheresis with Ig Therasorb 100 columns for antibody depletion was used in group 4 (G4;n=6). Three perfusions of hDAF livers formed group G5. Liver damage was appraised by biochemical parameters and routine histology, liver function by bile and urea production. Organ perfusion was investigated by monitoring vascular resistances and by portal venous angiography. Complement activation was assessed by C3a-determination and immunohistology. Immunoapheresis prior to xenogeneic pig liver perfusion improved liver function and hepatic perfusion with also a reduction in organ damage and complement activation. Organ damage and complement activation were even more effectively prevented by the use of hDAF expressing pig livers. A further improvement of xenogeneic pig liver perfusion may be expected by the combination of both transgenic donor animals and advanced immunoadsorption techniques.

Keywords:

Xenogeneic pig liver perfusion, transgenic pigs, Decay Accelerating Factor, immunoapheresis

Kurztitel:

Pascher, A. (1997) TxMed 3:158

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