Correlation of Biochemical and Hematological Changes with Graft Failure Following Pig Heart and Kidney Transplantation in Baboons

• Published in: American journal of transplantation Vol. 3; no. 12; pp. 1510 - 1519
• Main Authors: Knosalla, Christoph, Gollackner, Bernd, Bühler, Leo, Mueller, Nicolas J., Houser, Stuart, Mauiyyedi, Shamila, Sachs, David H., Robson, Simon C., Fishman, Jay, Schuurman, Henk‐Jan, Awwad, Michel, Cooper, David K. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 9600 Garsington Road , Oxford , OX4 2DQ , UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.12.2003
• Subjects: Acute humoral xenograft rejection; Animals; baboon; consumptive coagulopathy; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation - immunology; endothelial cell activation; Graft Rejection - blood; Graft Rejection - immunology; heart transplantation; Heart Transplantation - immunology; Hematocrit; Hemoglobins - metabolism; kidney transplantation; Kidney Transplantation - immunology; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Papio - immunology; Papio cynocephalus; pig; Swine - immunology; Time Factors; Transplantation, Heterologous - immunology
• ISSN: 1600-6135; 1600-6143
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1600-6135.2003.00258.x

We have explored biochemical and hematologic parameters that might indicate acute humoral xenograft rejection (AHXR) following pig organ transplantation in baboons. Baboons (n = 15) received an immunosuppressive regimen, and underwent a miniature swine or hDAF kidney (Group 1, n = 6) or heart (Group 2, n = 7) transplantation. Control baboons (Group 3, n = 2) received the immunosuppressive regimen without organ transplantation. Blood chemistry and hematologic parameters were measured daily. Baboon and porcine cytomegalovirus were monitored. In Groups 1 and 2, organ grafts survived for up to 29 days. A plasma fibrinogen of <80 mg/dL on 2 consecutive days, and a serum lactate dehydrogenase of >600 U/L and aspartate transaminase of >300 U/L, were associated with the development of AHXR in both heart and kidney grafts. In Group 1, a decrease in platelet count of >150 000/μL within 3 days, or a count of <50 000/μL, were associated with AHXR. In Group 2, a creatine phosphokinase of >500 U/L was associated with graft failure. In Group 3, no abnormalities were observed. The possibility that porcine CMV may play a role in graft injury could not be excluded. Noninvasive parameters were identified that have predictive potential for AHXR. Monitoring of these might enable therapeutic intervention to reverse rejection.