Experimental transplantationImmunobiologyDonor Dendritic Cell Proliferation and Migration in Hepatic Allografts by Pretransplant Intraportal Infusion of Recipient Blood into Donor Rats

IntroductionWe have reported that recipient blood transfusion pretransplant prolongs hepatic allograft survival in rats. This study further investigated the mechanisms of the phenomenon.Materials and methodsMale LEW and ACI rats were used as liver transplant recipients and donors, respectively. Experimental animals were divided into control; treatment experimental; and intraportally transfused (1 mL recipient blood) at 7 days before transplantation.ResultsRat survival time was significantly longer among the experiment versus the control group. A large number of donor-source dendritic cells were detected among infiltrating cells in the liver and spleen in the experimental group.ConclusionWe concluded that the prolonged survival of hepatic allograft in these rats was associated with donor dendritic cell proliferation and migration.