Multiorgan transplantation with a new organ-chip technique in mice: preliminary histological data.

Abstract

A simple model was developed for multiorgan liver-kidney-spleen-intestine transplantation on 108 inbred mice. Donor operations included hepatectomy, nephrectomy, splenectomy, and jejunum segment resection. Following removal of the organ, small slices or abdominal organ "chips" were prepared. During multiorgan recipient operations, chips from each of these organs were transplanted into the omentum; in the control single-organ groups, only 1 organ was transplanted. All animals survived. Biopsies were taken for histology after 6 weeks. All organs were found to have developed a blood supply. In the liver chips, hypertrophied cells could be detected. In the margin of the kidney tissue, both the glomeruli and tubules were preserved. Lymphoid zone and red pulp were intact in spleen chips. All layers of the intestinal chips were identifiable and contained intraluminal mucinous substances. This model is a simple surgical intervention with the possibility of the investigation of 4 organs.