Transfection of pulmonary artery segments in lung isografts during storage

Background. Proximal pulmonary artery segment (PPAS) endothelial transfection of lung grafts may be useful in ameliorating ischemia-reperfusion injury and rejection and may provide beneficial downstream effects on the whole lung graft. Transfection immediately after lung transplantation may be efficacious in ameliorating allograft dysfunction after transplantation. Methods. In F344 rats, the PPAS was isolated and injected with 0.03 mL of GL-67/DOPE–chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) plasmid DNA. The PPASs were exposed for 60 minutes at several temperatures. The lung grafts were stored in saline solution (group 1, n = 24) or LPDG solution (group 2, n = 27) for 12 or 24 hours at 4° to 37°C. In group 3 (n = 42), PPASs were stored in endothelial cell culture medium and incubated at 10° or 37°C in a carbon dioxide incubator for 3 to 72 hours. Group 4 (n = 18) served as transplanted controls; after 3 to 24 hours’ preservation at 4°C in LPDG solution, lung grafts were transplanted. Transgene expression of PPASs was assessed with two CAT activity assays, thin-layer chromatography enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immediately after the preservation period (groups 1 to 3) or 24 hours after transplantation (group 4). Results. In group 1, transgene expression did not appear. In groups 2 and 3, transgene expression was apparent after any storage duration at 37°C. Transgene expression increased successively with longer storage periods. In group 4, transgene expression was detected after any storage duration. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is able to quantify the expression of CAT activity, but thin-layer chromatography is more sensitive. Conclusions. Transgene expression did not occur during conventional cold storage. Transgene expression in rat PPASs during storage is possible with warm storage (37°C) and appropriate storage solution.