Biology subjects

Markmann, J. F.

Publications and source records attributed to Markmann, J. F..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Optimization of liver graft function using a poly-pharmacological drug cocktail CEPT in a simulated transplant model

BackgroundThe number of patients in need of a liver transplant far exceeds the supply of available organs. This imbalance could be dramatically reduced should the donor organ pool be expanded by rendering marginal cases transplantable rather than discarded. The poly-pharmacological drug cocktail CEPT (Chroman-1, Emricasan, Polyamine, and Trans-ISRIB (integrated stress inhibitor)) has been found to improve the in-vitro viability of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) following cryopreservation. It is worth exploring CEPTs ability to inhibit various apoptotic pathways and preserve cellular function for potentially mitigating warm ischemic stress of the anhepatic phase of graft implantation and promoting more rapid graft recovery following reperfusion with continuous treatment. MethodsRat livers without warm ischemia and CEPT supplementation are the healthy control: fresh (n=3) group. Room-temperature warm ischemia was used to replicate the anhepatic phase of graft implantation in the control (n=6) group and the experimental CEPT group (n=6) without and with CEPT supplementation, respectively. Transplantation was modeled by ex-vivo reperfusion at 37{degrees}C for six hours with Williams E-based hepatocyte culture media and with CEPT supplementation in the CEPT group. ResultsLivers treated with CEPT during warm ischemia and subsequent reperfusion have improved hepatocellular function as indicated by increased oxygen O2 utilization, stable pH, and improved cholangiocyte function indicated by the increased hourly rate of bile production. Furthermore, resistance, an endothelial injury marker, and caspase 3/7, an apoptotic marker, were lower. ConclusionTo improve the utilization of available donor livers, different stages of the organ transplantation process can be optimized. The anhepatic phase, which includes the period from the removal of the native liver from the recipient to the reperfusion of the donors graft liver through the portal vein during graft implantation, can be targeted using CEPT for mitigating warm ischemia-induced injury that occurs during vascular anastomosis. (S1 Fig: Graphical abstract)

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2024

Impaired glycolysis in aged endothelial cells is associated with reduced neovascularisation upon tissue ischemia

The vascular system experiences an age-associated decline in tissue perfusion and response to ischemic diseases. The factors driving this age-associated neovascularization decline remain unclear. While old endothelial cells (ECs) adopt a pro-angiogenic gene expression profile, we observed a stark reduction in the proliferative capacity of old ECs, while migratory capabilities remain intact. This is paralleled by a drastic decline in glycolytic capacity and ATP production, which likely act as limiting factors to neovascularization. These findings may provide new strategies to restore EC function in aging, thereby improving organ resilience and extending health- and lifespan.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2021

The role of antifreeze glycopeptides (AFGP) and polyvinyl alcohol/polyglycerol (X/Z-1000) cocktails as ice modulators during partial freezing of rat livers.

The current liver organ shortage has pushed the field of liver transplantation to develop new methods to prolong the preservation time of livers from the current clinical standard of static cold storage. Our approach, termed partial freezing, aims to induce a thermodynamically stable frozen state at deeper storage temperatures (-10{degrees}C to -15{degrees}C) than can be achieved with supercooling, while simultaneously maintaining a sufficient unfrozen fraction to limit dehydration and ice damage. This research first demonstrated that partially frozen glycerol treated rat livers were functionally similar after thawing from either -10 or -15{degrees}C with respect to subnormothermic machine perfusion metrics and histology. Next, we assessed the effect of adding either of two ice modulators, antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) and a polyvinyl alcohol/polyglycerol combination (X/Z-1000), on the viability and structural integrity of partially frozen rat livers compared to glycerol-only control livers. Results showed that AFGP livers had high levels of ATP and the least edema but suffered from significant endothelial cell damage. X/Z-1000 livers had the highest levels of ATP and energy charge (EC) but also demonstrated endothelial damage and post-thaw edema. Glycerol-only control livers exhibited the least DNA damage on Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining but also had the lowest levels of ATP and EC. Further research is necessary to optimize the ideal ice modulator cocktail for our partial-freezing protocol. Modifications to cryoprotective agent (CPA) combinations, as well as improvements to machine perfusion CPA loading and unloading, can help improve the viability of these partially frozen organs.

physiology↗