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Autologous implant of peritoneal mesothelium in rabbits and man
N Di Paolo1, L Vanni, G Sacchi
1Nephrology and Dialysis Department, Regional Hospital of Siena, Italy.
Abstract:
With the purpose of studying peritoneal physiology, original biopsy methods were devised and human and rabbit peritoneal mesothelial cells cultured and characterized. It was then decided to verify whether these cells could be implanted autologously during peritoneal dialysis in cases of acute loss of mesothelial surface. Staphylococcal peritonitis was induced in 12 rabbits and after 4 days of antibiotics, 6 of them were autoimplanted with cultured mesothelial cells, previously marked in 3 cases with thymidine (H3TdR). Implanted rabbits sacrificed after 3 and 6 days showed taking of the new mesothelial cells both by direct morphological observation and by autoradiography. Four uremic CAPD patients recovering from severe peritonitis were implanted with 300 million of their own peritoneal mesothelial cells, previously cultured and frozen. Morphological signs of taking were evident by laparoscopy and from peritoneal biopsies performed 3 and 6 days after implant. The fact that such implants are possible may have interesting applications in medicine and surgery.
Insights
Cultured mesothelial cells can be successfully auto-implanted to repair the peritoneum after damage. This study demonstrates successful cell integration in both rabbit models and human patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Biology
- Peritoneal Physiology
Background:
- Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients can experience loss of mesothelial surface due to peritonitis.
- Restoring the mesothelial layer is crucial for effective peritoneal function during PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of autologous mesothelial cell transplantation for peritoneal repair.
- To assess the integration and survival of implanted peritoneal mesothelial cells in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Development of novel biopsy techniques for mesothelial cell isolation and culture.
- Induction of staphylococcal peritonitis in rabbits, followed by autologous cell implantation.
- Cellular tracking using thymidine (H3TdR) labeling and autoradiography in animal models.
- Laparoscopy and peritoneal biopsies in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients post-implantation.
Main Results:
- Successful integration of cultured mesothelial cells observed in rabbits via morphological and autoradiographic analysis.
- Evidence of cell engraftment in CAPD patients, confirmed by laparoscopy and biopsy findings.
- Demonstrated taking of autologously implanted mesothelial cells in both animal and human subjects.
Conclusions:
- Autologous transplantation of cultured peritoneal mesothelial cells is a viable strategy for repairing damaged peritoneal surfaces.
- This approach holds significant potential for clinical applications in medicine and surgery, particularly for PD patients.
- Further research into optimizing cell implantation techniques could enhance recovery from peritoneal injury.