Technique for orthotopic liver transplantation in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Purpose: Recent studies investigating new strategies to modulate the immune system have utilized animal models of liver transplantation (LT). However, the anhepatic phase (AHP) remains a crucial problem in LT. The aim of the present study is to introduce a technique for successful orthotopic LT in cynomolgus monkeys using an early-reperfusion strategy.

Methods: Orthotopicallo-LT was performed with seven donor/recipient pairs of cynomolgus monkeys.

Results: In 2 recipients, liver allografts were perfused after suprahepatic inferior vena cava (SHIVC), portal vein (PV), and infrahepatic inferior vena cava (IHIVC) anastomosis. To reduce the time of AHP in five recipients, liver allografts ware perfused after SHIVC and PV anastomosis while the IHIVC was not anastomosed. In the latter strategy, the AHP was reduced from 46 minutes to 31 minutes and a 24-hour survival rate of 80% was achieved.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that an early-reperfusion strategy can be successfully used to establish a LT model in cynomolgus monkeys with a consistently high rate of animal survival.