Experimental model for monitoring of composite tissue transplantation induced trauma

Abstract

The rat hind-limb allograft is the most widely used animal model as composite tissue allografts for human hand transplantation researches. The monitorization of the composite tissue transplantation is essential to evaluate the transplantation-induced trauma, mechanisms of rejection, and the effectiveness of immunosuppressive protocols and the other treatment modalities. Because transplantation induced trauma begins with leukocyte-endothelial interactions in microvascular capillary structures, measurement of endothelial-cell function during the acute rejection period is important. Monitorization includes the evaluation microvascular permeability, capillary diameters, red blood cell velocities, leukocyte activation observations, functional capillary perfusion, and endothelial edema index.