Cold ischemia/reperfusion injury in a mouse model of partial liver transplantation

Injury to partial liver grafts as a result of ischemia reperfusion remains an important factor in the outcome after transplantation in rodents. Although well described in rats, extended preservation has not been studied in a mouse model of partial liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to develop a model of cold ischemia/reperfusion injury in mouse partial liver transplantation.

Partial liver transplantation was performed in C57BL/6 mice. The liver grafts were stored in 4 °C University of Wisconsin solution for different periods of preservation. The liver grafts were transplanted and reduced to 50% by removing the left lobe before the restoration of portal vein flow. Survival was monitored, and hepatocellular injury was examined by histopathologic staining.

Survival after partial liver transplantation was 100%, 88%, 89%, and 0% at 2 wk for cold preservation of 1, 4, 8, and 12 h, respectively. Histologic studies showed that microvascular and hepatocyte injury were limited in grafts with short preservation time (1, 4 h). Eight hours of cold ischemia led to focal necrosis. Twelve hours of storage resulted in liver graft failure in all recipients with histology showing extensive hepatic necrosis.

This study suggests partial liver transplantation can be performed in mice with satisfying graft survival. Increasing lengths of cold storage are associated with the progression of tissue injury and decreasing survival.