Basic Research
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 14, 2006; 12(26): 4166-4169
Published online Jul 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i26.4166
Formation of microchimerism in rat small bowel transplantation by splenocyte infusion
Da-Xun Piao, Tao Jiang, Lian-Xin Liu, An-Long Zhu, Shao-Feng Jin, Ying-Hui Guan
Da-Xun Piao, Tao Jiang, Lian-Xin Liu, An-Long Zhu, Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
Shao-Feng Jin, Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
Ying-Hui Guan, Department of General Surgery, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by grant from Program for Innovative Ability of Key Teachers in Universities of Heilongjiang Province
Correspondence to: Dr. Lian-Xin Liu, Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China. liulianxin@medmail.com.cn
Telephone: +86-451-53643849-5885 Fax: +86-451-53670428
Received: December 21, 2005
Revised: January 15, 2006
Accepted: January 24, 2006
Published online: July 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effect of donor splenocyte infusion combined with cyclosporine A (CsA) on rejection of rat small bowel transplantation (SBT).

METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and female Wistar rats weighing 230-270 g were used as donors and recipients respectively in the study. Heterotopic small bowel transplantation was performed. The rats were divided into three groups: group one receiving allotransplantation (SD→Wistar), group two receiving allotransplantation (SD→Wistar) + donor splenocyte infusion, group three receiving allotransplantation (SD→Wistar) + donor splenocyte infusion + CsA followed by CsA 10 mg/kg per day after transplantation, in which recipient Wistar rats were injected with 2 ×108 SD splenocytes 28 d before transplantation, and treated with CsA after transplantation. Finally, the specific DNA fragment of donor Y chromosome was detected in recipient peripheral blood and skin by PCR. The survival time after small bowel transplantation was observed. Gross and histopathological examinations were performed.

RESULTS: The survival time after small bowel trans-plantation was 7.1 ± 1.2 d in group 1, 18.4 ± 3.6 d in group 2 and 31.5 ± 3.1 d in group 3. The survival time was significant longer (P < 0.01) in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2. The gross and histopathological examination showed that the rejection degree in group 3 was lower than that in groups 1 and 2.

CONCLUSION: Donor splenocyte infusion combined with CsA decreases remarkably the rejection and prolongs the survival time after rat small bowel transplantation.

Keywords: Microchimerism, Splenocyte infusion, Immunologic tolerance, Small bowel transplantation