Recombinant human secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor ameliorated vessel preservation in experimentally isolated rat arteries

Vessel allograft preservation is essential for vascular reconstruction surgery. The preservation solution is crucial inextending the preservation period while maintaining vascular endothelial function. Currently, a 0.9% normal salinesolution (NSS) is widely used as a storage solution although its protective effect on endothelial preservation islimited. In this study, we determine the beneficial effect of recombinant human secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor(rhSLPI), supplemented to 0.9% NSS, for isolated aortic preservation. The thoracic and abdominal aorta were isolatedfrom Wistar rats (n = 6), and the aortic rings were subsequently cut and preserved in 0.9% NSS in the presenceand absence of 1 µg/ml rhSLPI for 0, 6, 24, and 48 hours. The preservative solution was collected to determine thereleased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, including tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Furthermore, the appearance and severity of vessel degeneration were subjected toblind histopathological assessment by pathologists. The results indicated that 0.9% NSS, supplemented with rhSLPI,significantly reduced the released LDH activity, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels and could attenuate endothelial detachment,endothelial degeneration, and endothelial necrosis. This study demonstrated for the first time that adding rhSLPI to asaline preservative solution could prevent vascular injury and possibly extend the graft storage duration before clinicalintervention.

Avian and human influenza A virus receptors in trachea and lung of animals.

Background: Influenza A viruses are capable of crossing the specific barrier between human beings and animals resulting in interspecies transmission. The important factor of potential infectivity of influenza A viruses is the suitability of the receptor binding site of the host and viruses. The affinities of avian and human influenza virus to bind with the receptors and the distributions of receptors in animals are different. Objective: This study aims to investigate the anatomical distribution of avian and human influenza virus receptors using the double staining lectin histochemistry method. Methods: Double staining of lectin histochemistry was performed to identify both SA α2,3 Gal and SA α2,6 Gal receptors in trachea and lung tissue of dogs, cats, tigers, ferret, pigs, ducks and chickens. Results: We have demonstrated that avian and human influenza virus receptors were abundantly present in trachea, bronchus and bronchiole, but in alveoli of dogs, cats and tigers showed SA α2,6 Gal only. Furthermore, endothelial cells in lung tissues showed presence of SA α2,3 Gal. Conclusion: The positive sites of both receptors in respiratory tract, especially in the trachea, suggest that all mammalian species studied can be infected with avian influenza virus. These findings suggested that dogs and cats in close contact with humans should be of greater concern as an intermediate host for avian influenza A in which there is the potential for viral adaptation and reassortment.