A post-preservation vascular flush removes significant populations of donor leukocytes prior to lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Donor leukocytes are intrinsically involved in acute lung allograft rejection, via self-presentation of donor antigens to recipient leukocytes. Therapeutic modalities to remove donor leukocytes are currently unavailable. We evaluated if a vascular flush immediately following preservation can be used for this purpose. METHODS: A post-preservation flush was performed with STEEN solution in n = 6 porcine lungs following static cold storage. The first 500 ml effluent from the left atrium was collected and an inflammatory profile performed. RESULTS: A total of 1.17 billion (±2.8 × 108) viable leukocytes were identified within the effluent. T cells were the dominant cell population, representing 82% of the total mobilised leukocytes, of which <0.01% were regulatory T cells. IL-18 was the most abundant cytokine, with a mean concentration of 84,216 pg (±153,552 pg). In addition, there was a mean concentration of 8819 ng (±4415) cell-free mitochondrial DNA. CONCLUSION: There is an immediate transfer of donor leukocytes, cytokines and damage-associated molecular patterns following reperfusion. Such a pro-inflammatory donor load may enhance alloantigen presentation and drive recipient alloimmune responses. A post-preservation flush may therefore be an effective method for reducing the immune burden of the donor lung prior to transplantation.

Pro-IL-1ß Is an Early Prognostic Indicator of Severe Donor Lung Injury During Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion.

BACKGROUND: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is used to evaluate and recondition extended criteria donor lungs for transplantation. Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) has been identified as a prognostic indicator of nonrecovery during EVLP. This may be an effect of inflammasome activation or cellular necrosis following donation and graft preservation. Delineating the mechanism of IL-1ß release is required. METHODS: The inactive intracellular precursor molecule, pro-IL-1ß, was characterized along with the pro-IL-1ß processing enzyme, caspase-1, in the perfusate of n = 20 human lungs that had undergone EVLP (n = 10 lungs that failed to recover and were discarded versus n = 10 lungs that reconditioned and were transplanted). In an experimental porcine model, n = 8 lungs underwent EVLP and were randomized to receive either a specific NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor or control. RESULTS: Significant increases in pro-IL-1ß and caspase-1 were observed in the perfusate from human lungs that did not recondition during EVLP compared with those that successfully reconditioned and were used for transplantation. Within the porcine EVLP, NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition reduced IL-1ß within the perfusate compared with controls, but this had no impact on lung function, hemodynamics, or inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that pro-IL-1ß is passively released following cellular necrosis of the donor lung.

Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion Improves the Inflammatory Signaling Profile of the Porcine Donor Lung Following Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Primary graft dysfunction and allograft rejection represent major caveats to successful lung transplantation. Reducing inflammation in donor lungs before transplantation may improve outcomes. Evidence exists that ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) can alter the donor lung environment, although the mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to characterize the inflammatory signaling profile of the lung following standard and EVLP transplant and delineate the immediate impact on the recipient circulation. METHODS: Female recipient pigs (n = 12) were randomized to undergo left lung transplantation from male donors either using the gold standard protocol (static cold storage) or following 3 hours of EVLP. The relative phosphorylation of 44 phosphokinases and the relative expression of 35 apoptosis-related molecules were profiled within the donor lung 24 hours posttransplantation. RESULTS: A global profile of mitochondrial salvage and cell survival was observed in the EVLP lung tissue compared with lungs undergoing standard transplantation. This included increased phosphorylation of downstream prosignaling kinases, including ERK1/2 and FAK. In addition, there was upregulated expression of the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2, HSP-70, LIVIN, and PON2 with downregulation of apoptosis inducing mitochondrial associated molecules, including clusterin, cytochrome C, and HTRA2/OMI. In the early postoperative period, there were significantly lower levels of circulating mitochondrial DNA in recipients receiving EVLP lungs compared with a standard transplant (P = 0.016). Genomic DNA did not differ between groups, with donor DNA undetectable at all time points. CONCLUSIONS: EVLP alters the inflammatory signaling profile of the donor lung before transplantation, with a global cell survival and antiapoptotic signature.

Ex-vivo flush of the limb allograft reduces inflammatory burden prior to transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Passenger leucocytes and inflammatory debris transferred from the donor limb to the recipient can induce allorecognition, which activates the host immune response. This is the first study to evaluate whether the transfer of this inflammatory burden can be reduced via post-preservation flush prior to revascularisation, and whether this is influenced by ischaemia. METHODS: Bilateral forelimbs from the same pig were procured and infused with preservation flush and stored on ice. Each limb from the same pig underwent a post-preservation intravascular flush with isotonic solution at either 2 or 6 h. Venous effluent underwent flow cytometry to phenotype leucocyte populations, with additional quantification of cytokines and cell-free DNA. RESULTS: We identified large populations of viable leucocytes in the flush effluent (8.65 × 108 ± 3.10 × 108 cells at 2 h and 1.02 × 109 ± 2.63 × 108 at 6 h). This comprised T cells, B cells, NK cells and monocytes. Post-preservation flush yielded significant concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-18, GM-CSF, IL-1ß, IL1α and CXCL-8 and mitochondrial DNA. The regulatory cytokine, IL-10 was undetectable. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the finding that a post-preservation flush removes leucocytes and inflammatory components that are responsible for direct presentation. This study also gives an indication of how ischaemia impacts on the inflammatory burden transferred to the recipient upon reperfusion.

The effect of 1.5 T cardiac magnetic resonance on human circulating leucocytes.

Aims: Investigators have proposed that cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) should have restrictions similar to those of ionizing imaging techniques. We aimed to investigate the acute effect of 1.5 T CMR on leucocyte DNA integrity, cell counts, and function in vitro, and in a large cohort of patients in vivo. Methods and results: In vitro study: peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy volunteers, and histone H2AX phosphorylation (γ-H2AX) expression, leucocyte counts, and functional parameters were quantified using flow cytometry under the following conditions: (i) immediately following PBMC isolation, (ii) after standing on the benchside as a temperature and time control, (iii) after a standard CMR scan. In vivo study: blood samples were taken from 64 consecutive consenting patients immediately before and after a standard clinical scan. Samples were analysed for γ-H2AX expression and leucocyte counts. CMR was not associated with a significant change in γ-H2AX expression in vitro or in vivo, although there were significant inter-patient variations. In vitro cell integrity and function did not change with CMR. There was a significant reduction in circulating T cells in vivo following CMR. Conclusion: 1.5 T CMR was not associated with DNA damage in vitro or in vivo. Histone H2AX phosphorylation expression varied markedly between individuals; therefore, small studies using γ-H2AX as a marker of DNA damage should be interpreted with caution. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was not associated with loss of leucocyte viability or function in vitro. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was associated with a statistically significant reduction in viable leucocytes in vivo.

Characterizing the early inflammatory contribution of the donor kidney following reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Donor kidneys contain a large reservoir of passenger leucocytes that contribute to acute rejection via direct alloantigen presentation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. However, the early contribution of these cells following revascularization has not previously been described. We performed a secondary, high-volume preservation flush following cold storage to characterize the inflammatory contribution of the donor kidney upon reperfusion. METHODS: Porcine kidneys were retrieved using a protocol analogous to current UK clinical practice. Following 2 h of cold static preservation, kidneys underwent a secondary flush with Ringer's solution. The venous effluent was collected and leucocytes phenotyped via flow cytometry. Inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and cell-free DNA, were then assessed to determine the inflammatory contribution of the donor kidney. RESULTS: Upon reperfusion, a significant population of donor-derived CD45 + leucocytes mobilized from the renal vasculature via the renal vein [mean 4.738 × 10 8 (SD 1.348 × 10 8 )]. Within this population, T cells were dominant, representing >60% of the leucocyte repertoire. Granulocytes, monocytes and natural killer cells were also identified, but in comparatively lower numbers. Significant concentrations of cytokines and cell-free DNA were also eluted upon reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The donor kidney contains a significant immune load that rapidly mobilizes following reperfusion. Performing a secondary preservation flush prior to implantation may reduce this inflammatory burden via diversion of donor leucocytes and inflammatory mediators from entry into the recipient circulation. This may modulate direct presentation and reduce the inflammatory contribution of the donor kidney following transplantation.

Ex Vivo Normothermic Perfusion Induces Donor-Derived Leukocyte Mobilization and Removal Prior to Renal Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Ex vivo normothermic perfusion offers an alternative method of organ preservation, allowing donor kidneys to be reanimated and evaluated prior to transplantation. Beyond preservation, it can be used to characterize the immunological contribution of the donor kidney in isolation. Furthermore, it has the potential to be used as an immunomodulatory strategy to manipulate donor kidneys prior to transplantation. METHODS: Explanted porcine kidneys underwent 6 hours of perfusion. Sequential perfusate samples were collected and leukocytes characterized via flow cytometry. An inflammatory profile was generated via cytokine quantification. Cell-free DNA was also determined as markers of cell death. RESULTS: All kidneys functioned within normal parameters and met the criteria for transplantation at the end of perfusion. Throughout perfusion there were continuous increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines, including large concentrations of interferon-γ, suggesting that perfusion drives a significant inflammatory response. Increasing concentrations in cell-free DNA were also observed, suggesting cell death. During perfusion there was a marked cellular diapedesis of T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and monocytes from the kidney into the circuit. Minor populations of granulocytes and macrophages were also detected. DISCUSSION: We demonstrate that ex vivo normothermic perfusion initiates an inflammatory cytokine storm and release of mitochondrial and genomic DNA. This is likely to be responsible for immune cell activation and mobilization into the circuit prior to transplantation. Interestingly this did not have an impact on renal function. These data therefore suggest that normothermic perfusion can be used to immunodeplete and to saturate the pro-inflammatory capacity of donor kidneys prior to transplantation.

Clinical Outcome of Patients Transplanted with Marginal Donor Lungs via Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion Compared to Standard Lung Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation is limited by a scarcity of suitable donors resulting in high waiting list mortality. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) allows the evaluation and reconditioning of marginal donor lungs for use in transplantation. This study aimed to compare clinical outcome of patients transplanted with marginal organs by means of EVLP with a standard lung transplant cohort through a multicenter open trial. METHODS: Group 1 (n = 9) included patients transplanted using EVLP reconditioned marginal lungs. Group 2 (n = 46) consisted of date-matched patients transplanted using standard transplantation of acceptable lungs. The primary composite endpoint included acute rejection and infection at 12 months after transplantation. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of acute rejection (P = 0.754) and the number of treated infection episodes (proven/probable pneumonia; P = 0.857/0.368 and proven/probable tracheobronchitis; P = 0.226/0.529) up to 12 months after transplantation, between group 1 and group 2. Additionally, there was no significant difference in early clinical outcome, including intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and 1 year mortality between the two groups (P = 0.338, P = 0.112 and P = 0.372, respectively). DISCUSSION: This multicenter study demonstrates that EVLP is associated with no adverse effect on clinical outcome, including the incidence of acute rejection and infection after lung transplantation.