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World J Exp Med. May 20, 2014; 4(2): 7-15
Published online May 20, 2014. doi: 10.5493/wjem.v4.i2.7
Animal models of ex vivo lung perfusion as a platform for transplantation research
Kevin Nelson, Christopher Bobba, Samir Ghadiali, Don Hayes Jr, Sylvester M Black, Bryan A Whitson
Kevin Nelson, Christopher Bobba, Samir Ghadiali, Department Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
Don Hayes Jr, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
Sylvester M Black, Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
Bryan A Whitson, Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, The Collaboration for Organ Perfusion, Protection, Engineering and Regeneration Laboratory, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
Author contributions: Black SM and Whitson BA created the figures; Whitson BA was responsible for revisions with authors input and approval; Nelson K and Bobba C contributed equally to first authorship; Nelson K and Bobba C were primary authors; all authors equally involved in editing.
Correspondence to: Bryan A Whitson, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery Division of Cardiac Surgery, The Collaboration for Organ Perfusion, Protection, Engineering and Regeneration Laboratory, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, N-813 Doan Hall, 410 W. 10th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States. bryan.whitson@osumc.edu
Telephone: +1-614-3667414 Fax: +1-614-2932020
Received: November 29, 2013
Revised: January 23, 2014
Accepted: March 13, 2014
Published online: May 20, 2014
Processing time: 203 Days and 12.4 Hours
Abstract

Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a powerful experimental model for isolated lung research. EVLP allows for the lungs to be manipulated and characterized in an external environment so that the effect of specific ventilation/perfusion variables can be studied independent of other confounding physiologic contributions. At the same time, EVLP allows for normal organ level function and real-time monitoring of pulmonary physiology and mechanics. As a result, this technique provides unique advantages over in vivo and in vitro models. Small and large animal models of EVLP have been developed and each of these models has their strengths and weaknesses. In this manuscript, we provide insight into the relative strengths of each model and describe how the development of advanced EVLP protocols is leading to a novel experimental platform that can be used to answer critical questions in pulmonary physiology and transplant medicine.

Keywords: Ex vivo lung perfusion; Transplantation; Rat; Porcine; Small animal; Large animal; Model; Ex vivo lung perfusion

Core tip:Ex vivo lung perfusion allows for lungs to be assessed for their physiologic and functional parameters prior to transplant. As a tool for experimental research, the technology is an extremely powerful tool that enables isolated organ modification and evaluation. Utilizing small and large animal models have complementary approaches to addressing transplant related questions.