Beneficial Effects of Perfluorotributylamine/Pluronic F-68 Stem-Emulsion (FC43se) on Discordant Lung Xenografts

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Perfluorotributylamine/Pluronic F-68 Stem-Emulsion (FC43se) against hyperacute rejection in rabbit-pig xenodiscordant transplantation in an ex-vivo lung model. Rabbits were divided into two groups. In Group 1 (control), after extraction, the lungs were connected directly to the experimental circuit as soon as possible. The lungs were then perfused with 100 ml of pig blood only. In Group 2 (FC(+) Group), after extraction, the lungs were connected to the same circuit as soon as possible. The lungs were then perfused with 10 ml of FC43se plus 90 ml of pig blood. The duration of perfusion was defined from when the perfusion started until the PAP reached 50 mmHg. Significant differences in survival were seen between Group 1 and Group 2: in Group 1, the survival time was 51.9±16.8 min, whereas in Group 2 the survival time was 76.9±12.4 min (p<0.01). The wet-to-dry weight ratio after 30 min of perfusion in Group 2 was significantly lower than that of Group 1 and the mean pulmonary artery pressure of Group 2 at 35, 40 and 45 min after perfusion was significantly lower than that of Group 1. Histological examination revealed that FC43se suppressed the adhesion of leukocytes to the surfaces of endothelial cells, and also attenuated the intimal edematous changes accompanying leukocyte infiltration. Therefore, FC43se has a beneficial effect on suppressing hyperacute rejection in xenogeneic discordant lung transplantation.