Technique of kidney transplantation in mice with anti-reflux urinary reconstruction

Abstract

Experimental models of organ transplantation play a crucial role in establishing the principles of transplantation immunobiology. Murine transplant models of vascularized organs are particularly useful for immunobiological studies because there are more immunological tools available. However, the technique of kidney transplant in mice is very challenging. A difficult aspect of this model is urinary reconstruction, which is frequently associated to complications. In this article, the technique of mouse kidney transplantation using an anti-reflux system (modified extravesical ureteroneocystostomy) is described and illustrated for the first time. Although technically demanding, this procedure is feasible and may reduce the incidence of urine leakage and reflux.

Absence of MyD88 Signaling Induces Donor-Specific Kidney Allograft Tolerance

“…The recipient animal underwent a left-sided nephrectomy, and the transplanted kidney was placed orthotopically on day 0. Urinary tract reconstruction was established by either inserting the ureter into the bladder (day 14 experiment only) or suturing the bladder patch to a cystostomy located on the bladder dome 55 (a bladder-to-bladder anastomosis) for survival study and day 100 experiments. All transplanted mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of ampicillin at the time of transplant surgery.…”

Application of modified small bladder patch-to-bladder double-layer sutures to improve renal transplantation in mice

“…As surgeons gradually improve the vascular anastomosis technique, the operation time gradually shortens [18]. Consequently, the corresponding complications decrease [20], albeit these still remain relatively high in mice [18]. Urinary tract complications are notable as they occur in 7 % of cases, which are mainly related to the method of reconstruction and complications associated with the anastomosis [3, 25].…”

“…Ureteral obstruction and graft pyonephrosis occurred at a high incidence (data not shown). A method of bladder patch suturing to an incision on the bladder was reported for the reconstruction of the urinary tract by Martins [20]; thus was associated with a reduction in urine leakage and urinary tract obstruction. However, the technique is time consuming and difficult to perform.…”

“…Kidney harvesting was performed as described by Martins [20]. Briefly, the periureteral vessels and fat were preserved while the ureter was cut with a bladder patch of 1.0–2.0 mm in diameter.…”

“…[3] standardized the kidney transplantation procedure in mice, which was further fine-tuned by Martins in 2006 [20] by the application of a bladder patch-to-cystotomy to prevent vesicoureteral reflux. But the technique is time-consuming and complicated.…”