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Tseng HT, Lin YW, Huang CY, Shih CM, Tsai YT, Liu CW, Tsai CS, Lin FY. Animal Models for Heart Transplantation Focusing on the Pathological Conditions. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051414. [PMID: 37239085 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac transplant recipients face many complications due to transplant rejection. Scientists must conduct animal experiments to study disease onset mechanisms and develop countermeasures. Therefore, many animal models have been developed for research topics including immunopathology of graft rejection, immunosuppressive therapies, anastomotic techniques, and graft preservation techniques. Small experimental animals include rodents, rabbits, and guinea pigs. They have a high metabolic rate, high reproductive rate, small size for easy handling, and low cost. Additionally, they have genetically modified strains for pathological mechanisms research; however, there is a lacuna, as these research results rarely translate directly to clinical applications. Large animals, including canines, pigs, and non-human primates, have anatomical structures and physiological states that are similar to those of humans; therefore, they are often used to validate the results obtained from small animal studies and directly speculate on the feasibility of applying these results in clinical practice. Before 2023, PubMed Central® at the United States National Institute of Health's National Library of Medicine was used for literature searches on the animal models for heart transplantation focusing on the pathological conditions. Unpublished reports and abstracts from conferences were excluded from this review article. We discussed the applications of small- and large-animal models in heart transplantation-related studies. This review article aimed to provide researchers with a complete understanding of animal models for heart transplantation by focusing on the pathological conditions created by each model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horng-Ta Tseng
- Taipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Departments of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Lin
- Institute of Oral Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (Yangming Campus), Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yao Huang
- Taipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Departments of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ming Shih
- Taipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Departments of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Tsai
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Wei Liu
- Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Chien-Sung Tsai
- Taipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Yen Lin
- Taipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Departments of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
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Książek AA, Mitchell KJ, Morax L, Schwarzwald CC, Hoerstrup SP, Weber B. Hemodynamic Assessment of a Murine Heterotopic Biventricularly Loaded Cardiac Transplant in vivo Model. Eur Surg Res 2016; 57:171-185. [PMID: 27434273 DOI: 10.1159/000446515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heterotopic heart transplantation (HHT) in rodent animal models represents an important technique enabling studies on organ transplantation immunology and pharmaceutical development. Recent investigations used nonworking HHT designs, with the left ventricle (LV) bypassed in the anastomosis system. In spite of their principal success, the lack of orthogonal ventricular filling leads to myocardial atrophy. However, when focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the in vivo remodeling of the myocardium or cell-based cardiovascular implants, a nonworking model is suboptimal as it lacks the native-analogous hemodynamic and metabolic situation. Here we present the hemodynamic and electrical assessment of a biventricularly loaded murine HHT method without the need for a combined heart-lung transplantation approach. METHODS Heterotopic transplantations (n = 13) were performed on C57BL/6J-(H-2b) inbred mice (n = 13 donors, n = 13 recipients) by creating end-to-side anastomoses between the donors' cranial vena cava (CrVC) and the recipients' abdominal caudal vena cava (CVC), between the donors' ascending aorta and the recipients' abdominal aorta (aAo), and between the grafts' pulmonary trunk and the left atrium. After transplantation, a hemodynamic assessment using echocardiography (including 2D speckle tracking analysis) and electrocardiography was performed. RESULTS The loaded HHT procedure in the mice was performed with an overall success rate of 61%. In 3 of the remaining 5 cases, only atrial function was restored. The median duration of the entire surgical procedure for the recipient animal was 190 (IQR 180-250) min. The mean heart rate in the loaded HHT group was 355 ± 6 bpm in comparison to the control group with an in situ heart rate of 418 ± 61 bpm. A native-like closing and opening pattern of the aortic and mitral valves (visible on both 2D and M-mode images) was observed, confirming a native-analogous loading of the LV. Pulsed-wave Doppler provided visualization of the flow across the region of anastomoses between the pulmonary trunk and the left atrium, reaching a mean maximum velocity of 382 ± 12 mm/s. Exemplary 2D speckle tracking analysis of the LV free wall and interventricular septum revealed some differences in vector directions in one animal when compared to the orthotopic native heart, indicating an asynchronous movement of the LV. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the technical (micro)surgical feasibility of a fully loaded HHT procedure in the murine model without using a combined heart-lung transplantation approach. The acute hemodynamic performance of the HHT grafts approximated the native orthotopic situation. This model may open up new options for the investigation of cellular and molecular questions in the murine cardiovascular in vivo system in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka A Książek
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Lu W, Zheng J, Pan XD, Li B, Zhang JW, Wang LF, Sun LZ. A new simplified volume-loaded heterotopic rabbit heart transplant model with improved techniques and a standard operating procedure. J Thorac Dis 2015; 7:653-61. [PMID: 25973231 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.03.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The classic non-working (NW) heterotopic heart transplant (HTX) model in rodents had been widely used for researches related to immunology, graft rejection, evaluation of immunosuppressive therapies and organ preservation. But unloaded models are considered not suitable for some researches. Accordingly, We have constructed a volume-loaded (VL) model by a new and simple technique. METHODS Thirty male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into two groups, group NW with 14 rabbits and group VL with 16 rabbits, which served as donors and recipients. We created a large and nonrestrictive shunt to provide left heart a sufficient preload. The donor superior vena cave and ascending aorta (AO) were anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta (AAO) and inferior vena cava (IVC), respectively. RESULTS No animals suffered from paralysis, pneumonia and lethal bleeding. Recipients' mortality and morbidity were 6.7% (1/15) and 13.3% (2/15), respectively. The cold ischemia time in group VL is slight longer than that in group NW. The maximal aortic velocity (MAV) of donor heart was approximately equivalent to half that of native heart in group VL. Moreover, the similar result was achieved in the parameter of late diastolic mitral inflow velocity between donor heart and native heart in group VL. The echocardiography (ECHO) showed a bidirectional flow in donor SVC of VL model, inflow during diastole and outflow during systole. PET-CT imaging showed the standard uptake value (SUV) of allograft was equal to that of native heart in both groups on the postoperative day 3. CONCLUSIONS We have developed a new VL model in rabbits, which imitates a native heart hemodynamically while only requiring a minor additional procedure. Surgical technique is simple compared with currently used HTX models. We also developed a standard operating procedure that significantly improved graft and recipient survival rate. This study may be useful for investigations in transplantation in which a working model is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lu
- 1 Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China ; 2 Department of Pediatric Heart center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jun Zheng
- 1 Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China ; 2 Department of Pediatric Heart center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xu-Dong Pan
- 1 Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China ; 2 Department of Pediatric Heart center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Bing Li
- 1 Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China ; 2 Department of Pediatric Heart center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jin-Wei Zhang
- 1 Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China ; 2 Department of Pediatric Heart center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Long-Fei Wang
- 1 Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China ; 2 Department of Pediatric Heart center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Li-Zhong Sun
- 1 Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China ; 2 Department of Pediatric Heart center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
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Spencer AU, Hart JP, Cabreriza SE, Rabkin DG, Weinberg AD, Spotnitz HM. Aortic regurgitation in the heterotopic rat heart transplant: effect on ventricular remodeling and diastolic function. J Heart Lung Transplant 2003; 22:937-45. [PMID: 12909476 DOI: 10.1016/s1053-2498(02)00816-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Use of the heterotopic rat cardiac isograft model is limited by ventricular atrophy attributable to the left ventricle's non-working state. Previous studies indicate that increased left ventricular pressure-volume work minimizes atrophy. We used a simpler approach to increase ventricular work, imposing aortic regurgitation on the transplant. We hypothesized that this would prevent atrophy and preserve left ventricular compliance. METHODS We analyzed heterotopic transplants with aortic valvotomy and without aortic valvotomy (controls). Recipient native hearts served as separate controls. After 15 to 25 days, we measured cardiac wet weight, dry weight, and water content of all groups and measured echocardiographic left ventricular wall thickness and end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters in both transplant groups. Left ventricular volume infusions yielded pressure-volume data that we analyzed using regression methods. RESULTS Aortic regurgitant transplants weighed more than control transplants (dry weight, 0.109 +/- 0.013 g vs 0.097 +/- 0.016 g; p = 0.020, 2-way analysis of variance), but all transplants weighed less than native hearts weighed (p = 0.001). Control transplants were less compliant than regurgitant transplants (p = 0.002), but the latter were similar to their own native hearts (p = 0.34). Wall thickness decreased in regurgitant vs control transplants (p = 0.020, Student's t-test), but end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters increased (p < or = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Aortic regurgitation in heterotopic transplants improves left ventricular compliance through chamber dilatation without preventing atrophy. Moderate acute aortic regurgitation affects ventricular remodeling more than it stimulates myocardial hypertrophy. Smaller end-diastolic diameter, greater wall thickness, and myocardial edema may explain decreased compliance in non-working transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel U Spencer
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA
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Inoue T, Otaki M, Kaneda T, Oku H. Experimental heterotopic heart transplantation without cardiopulmonary bypass: auxiliary support for the recipient heart. J Heart Lung Transplant 2001; 20:364-71. [PMID: 11257564 DOI: 10.1016/s1053-2498(00)00328-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Auxiliary cardiac support using heterotopic heart transplant is of considerable interest, but the outcome is not known. To investigate technical feasibility and the possibility of using auxiliary support from heterotopic heart transplantation without cardiopulmonary bypass, we evaluated hemodynamics including the pressure-volume relationship in experimental animals. METHODS In heterotopic heart transplantation, we tailored the donor heart by removing the pulmonary and tricuspid valves, and by wide removal of the inter-atrial septum. Next, we anastomosed the descending aorta and left atrium of the donor heart to the descending aorta and left atrium of the recipient, without using cardiopulmonary bypass. Consequently, declamping the recipient's descending aorta allowed the donor heart to fill with blood and to start beating. We performed hemodynamic assessments including the effects of adrenergic stimulation. We measured the pressure and volume relationship of the recipient heart by closing and opening inflow of the donor left atrium to change the pre-load of the donor left ventricle. RESULTS The donor left ventricle produced a systolic blood pressure that was augmented by the recipient blood pressure and responded to adrenergic stimulation. When inflow of the donor left atrium was opened, the pressure-volume loop of the recipient heart shifted to the left and pressure-volume area decreased. Simultaneously, the mechanical efficiency and E(max) (the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship) of the recipient heart increased when inflow of the donor left atrium was opened. CONCLUSIONS This transplant model, without cardiopulmonary bypass, is feasible and can be applied to transplant investigations as a working heart model on the basis of the response of adrenergic stimulation. The increased pre-load of the donor left atrium from the recipient left atrium resulted in a recipient leftward shift of the pressure-volume relationship, suggesting that this transplant model with adequate pre-load acts as auxiliary assistance in the recipient intrathoracic cavity.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Inoue
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kinki University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
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Chinchoy E, Soule CL, Houlton AJ, Gallagher WJ, Hjelle MA, Laske TG, Morissette J, Iaizzo PA. Isolated four-chamber working swine heart model. Ann Thorac Surg 2000; 70:1607-14. [PMID: 11093495 DOI: 10.1016/s0003-4975(00)01977-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Isolated heart models separate cardiac characteristics from systemic characteristics with subsequent findings used in cardiac research, including responses to pharmacologic, mechanical, and electrical components. The model objective was to develop the ability to represent in situ physiologic cardiac function ex vivo. METHODS Swine hearts were chosen over rat or guinea pig models due to their notably greater anatomical and physiologic similarities to humans. An in vitro apparatus was designed to work all four chambers under simulated in situ physiologic conditions. Using standard cardiac surgical techniques, 12 porcine hearts (mean weight 331 +/- 18 g) were explanted into the apparatus. Preload and afterload resistances simulated in situ input and output physiologic conditions. Hemodynamic characterizations, including cardiac output, max +/- dP/dt, and heart rate, were used to determine in situ function leading to explantation (prethoracic operation, postmedial sternotomy, and postperidectomy) and during in vitro function (t = 0, 60, 120, and 240 minutes). RESULTS In vitro performance decayed with time, with statistical differences from base line (t = 0) function at t = 240 minutes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS An isolation and in vitro explantation protocol has been improved to aid in the study of isolated cardiac responses, and to determine cardiac hemodynamic function during open chest operation, transplantation, and in vitro reanimation with a crystalloid perfusate. The resulting model offers similar working physiologic function, with real-time imaging capabilities. The resulting model is advantageous in representing human cardiac function with regard to anatomic and physiologic functions, and can account for atrial and ventricular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Chinchoy
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
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Pierson RN, Chang AC, Blum MG, Blair KS, Scott MA, Atkinson JB, Collins BJ, Zhang JP, Thomas DW, Burkly LC, Miller GG. Prolongation of primate cardiac allograft survival by treatment with ANTI-CD40 ligand (CD154) antibody. Transplantation 1999; 68:1800-5. [PMID: 10609959 DOI: 10.1097/00007890-199912150-00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated whether a humanized anti-CD154 antibody (hu5c8) prolongs primate cardiac allograft survival. METHODS Heterotopic cardiac allografts were performed between MHC class II-mismatched cynomolgus monkeys. Survival was compared between groups treated with a perioperative dosing of hu5c8 (group 1; n=6), sustained dosing with hu5c8 (group 2; n=3), and control regimens (n=4). All recipients received fresh donor-specific transfusions during surgery. RESULTS Median graft survival was 49 days (range 14 to 56) in group 1 and 106 days (range 56 to 245) in group 2, compared with 5 days (range 5 to 6) for controls (P<0.05 for all comparisons). Lymphocytic infiltrates were often present in hu5c8-treated grafts with stable contractility. Donor-specific mixed lymphocyte reaction was generally preserved. Vasculitis and cellular intimal proliferation were prevalent in rejected grafts but occurred later and were less prevalent in group 2. CONCLUSIONS Anti-CD154 antibody markedly prolongs the survival of cardiac allografts in primates and is well tolerated. Sustained dosing with hu5c8 yielded improved survival and may be associated with a lower incidence of vascular pathology. We conclude that hu5c8 therapy is an effective approach for inhibiting acute cardiac allograft rejection in primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- R N Pierson
- Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
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