A Microsurgical Technique for Orthotopic Aorta Transplantation in Mice

Abstract

Despite refined immunosuppression and better surgical and perioperative management, improved long-term results of clinical organ transplantation have been hindered by chronic rejection [1], Transplant-associated arteriosclerosis is the most striking feature of chronic rejection. The incidence of coronary arteriosclerosis reaches 50% 5 years post-transplantation, leading to a 25% mortality rate in cardiac transplant patients [3]. Defining the pathogenesis of chronic rejection in patients is fraught with difficulties. For this reason a variety of animal models has been used [4, 5]. Aortic transplants in rats and mice develop vascular lesions resembling clinical arteriosclerosis, and this provides a useful tool to study the pathogenesis and treatment of transplant arteriosclerosis [6–8].