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DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1191594
Influence of the donor and recipient age on the heterotopically transplanted rat heart
Aims: The intention of this study was to test the influence of the donor and recipient age factor on the transplant rejection, supported by a representative allograft model.
Methods: Male Lewis (recipients) and Fisher 344 rats (donors) of two different ages underwent heterotopic transplantation by the ONO and LINDSEY method. The young rats were 4 weeks and the old were 4 months old. Transplantation was performed in the following four groups: 1. old to old, 2. old to young, 3. young to old and 4. young to young. No immunosuppressant was given. After 30 days the heterotopically transplanted hearts were explanted and analysed by histology and immunohistochemistry.
Results: Serious tissue rejections reactions were noticed in all groups, which were all comparable to the ISHLT standard 3b or 4, but there were significant differences in the nature of the rejection. Fibrosis formation was significantly greater if the age of donor and recipient was unequal. Vascular reactions were less pronounced if the donor or the recipient was younger.
Conclusion: On the basis of these experiments it can be said that the severity of rejection did not differ significantly between the four groups. Reactions of the connective tissue and the development of transplant vasculopathy are more likely if the donor or the recipient is older.