Watanabe, Genki;
Horikawa, Maiko;
Yamamoto, Izumi;
Endo, Tomohisa;
Watanabe, Takashi;
Hiratsuka, Akinori;
Takamura, Tsuyoshi;
Matsui, Kenji;
Matsumoto, Naoto;
Saito, Yatsumu;
Sasaki, Hiroshi;
Kiyoshi, Akihiko;
Kuroda, Takao;
Inoue, Makoto;
Kobayashi, Eiji;
Yokoo, Takashi;
ABSTRACT Purpose: To detail a technique to implant a double-lumen catheter to remove anti-pig antibodies. We transplanted fetal pig kidneys into cynomolgus monkeys using a double filtration plasma exchange (DFPP) protocol. Methods: Two approaches for double-lumen catheter insertion in monkeys (3–9.2 kg) were developed. DFPP was performed using hydroxyethyl starch (6%) as a replacement fluid. We transplanted fetal porcine kidneys, administered immunosuppressive agents, and evaluated the grafts. Results: The catheter insertion site was large, with postoperative hemostasis similar to blind subcutaneous puncture. Monkeys tolerated DFPP well, maintaining stable blood pressure. The technique reduced anti-pig antibodies by 67%, though acute rejection was not fully suppressed. Conclusion: A safe technique for double-lumen catheter placement in cynomolgus monkeys was developed, along with a DFPP protocol for reducing anti-pig antibodies.
