Hematological, hemorheological, immunological, and morphological studies of spleen autotransplantation in mice: Preliminary results

Abstract

Using a spleen autotransplantation model, we conducted hematological, hemorheological, immunological, and morphological studies in mice 6 weeks after splenectomy. Sixty male and female A/J inbred mice were equally divided into 3 groups: 1) SE group, splenectomy was performed; 2) AU group, spleen chips were autotransplanted into the omentum without vascular anastomosis following splenectomy; and 3) C group (controls), no intervention in these mice. At postoperative week 6, the following studies were performed: 1) measurement of hematological parameters; 2) hemorheological studies, including relative cell transit time (RCTT) and fibrinogen levels; and 3) activity of peripheral phagocytes, measured by zymozan-induced chemiluminescence, which was calculated in stimulation index values (SI). In addition, histological investigations of autotransplants were conducted. Erythrocyte mean cell volume and platelet counts, RCTT, fibrinogen levels, and activity of phagocytes were significantly higher in the SE group, compared to those in the C group. In the AU group, these parameters were similar to those in the C group. Morphologically, the transplanted spleen showed normal histology. These data indicate that the transplanted spleens restored their function. We conclude that spleen autotransplantation reserves the normal morphology of spleen and restores most of the spleen's hematological, hemorheological, and immunological functions. Both SI index and erythrocyte deformability can be an informative detection of decreasing splenic function. These data suggest that spleen autotransplantation may provide a useful tool to prevent complications following splenectomy in a clinical setting.

The Effects of Splenectomy and Autologous Spleen Transplantation on Complete Blood Count and Cell Morphology in a Porcine Model

“…The response has been reported to be either unchanged (Resende & Petroianu, 2003;Resende et al, 2002) or increased (Karagülle et al, 2007;Knežević et al, 2002;Miko et al, 2003). As one third of total platelets is physiologically sequestered in the spleen, and spleen is also the site of platelet destruction, it is expected, that after their removal, thrombocytosis will develop.…”

“…However, total removal of the spleen may lead to side effects such as postsplenectomy infections and sepsis, due to the decreased production of antibodies and phagocytes or thrombosis, due to elevated platelet count in blood (Bessler et al, 2004;Khan et al, 2009;Miko et al, 2003;Timens & Leemans, 1992). Also, many studies report increased count of morphologically abnormal erythrocytes, immature red blood cells and pathologic erythrocyte inclusions in the peripheral blood of various species following splenectomy as a result of the loss of splenic filtrating function (Haklar et al, 1997;Resende et al, 2002;Traub et al, 1987).…”

“…The effectiveness of splenic autotransplant depends on many factors and is still controversial (Theodorou et al, 2007). Studies done on rats, mice, rabbits and men report that autotransplantat's capability of recovering its primary function highly depends on the volume of transplanted spleen tissue (Karagülle et al, 2007;Miko et al, 2003;Resende & Petroianu, 2003;Tang et al, 2003).…”

Late histological aspects of spleen autologous transplantation in rats

“…Miko et al 23 used morphologic studies, among other techniques, to evaluate rats submitted to the spleen autotransplantation, six weeks after splenectomy. The omentum was preferred as placed and then was done revascularization studies.…”

Effect of esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy on schistossomal portal hypertension patients' immunity

“…So that, to minimize the consequences of spleen absence, the use of subtotal splenectomy and spleen autotransplantation was stimulated (4,5,6,15,18,22,23,25,31,34,35,41,45) .…”