Increased expression of Notch 1 in a rat liver transplantation model

Liver transplantation is the standard treatment for end‑stage liver failure; however, rejection can result in allograft failure. In order to investigate the role of Notch 1 during rejection, the present study evaluated Notch 1 expression, as well as the levels of immune reactivity, in rat liver allografts. A heterotopic liver transplantation model was established using Dark Agouti (DA) rats as donors and Lewis rats as recipients (DA/Lewis), with DA recipient rats serving as controls (DA/DA). The concentration levels of immune reactivity markers and serum Notch 1 were measured on days 3, 5, and 7. The overall survival was significantly shorter (<10 days) in the DA/Lewis group, as compared with the DA/DA group (P<0.0001). The concentration levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin were significantly higher 5 and 7 days following transplantation in the DA/Lewis group, as compared with the DA/DA group (P<0.001). The concentration levels of serum Notch 1 were significantly higher in the DA/Lewis group, as compared with the DA/DA group on days 3, 5, and 7 following transplantation (P<0.0001). These results indicate that the expression levels of serum Notch 1 significantly increase during liver allograft rejection, suggesting that Notch 1 is involved in the mechanism underlying liver allograft rejection. Notch 1 may serve as a marker of acute rejection in a rat liver transplantation model.