Porcine 4h and 72h Lung Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Models - Flow Cytometry

Pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of primary graft dysfunction in lung transplantation. We aimed to evaluate immune cells and activation states in porcine IRI models. Two sets of porcine orthotopic lung transplants were performed: a 4 h reperfusion (n=7) and a 72 h survival model (n=6). Both were compared to a control group without lung injury (n=6). Lung samples were processed into single cell suspensions and cryopreserved. Thawed samples were stained with anti-porcine antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry. Absolute counts of neutrophils and CD14+ monocytes increased in the allograft at 4 h and remained stable over 72 h post-transplant. CD14-CD163+ monocytes and conventional dendritic cells continued to increase by 72 h post-transplant. Lymphoid cell numbers were unchanged overall, but T cells showed increased CD25 expression and a memory phenotype at 4 h.