Expression of GMP-140 (P-selectin) correlates with graft viability in cold-preserved rat livers

Background. Ischemia/reperfusion injury is an inflammatory process involvin g cytokine release, Kupffer cell activation, and sinusoidal endothelial cel l activation. GMP-140 is synthesized by endothelial cells. Methods, We analyzed by Western blotting the expression of GMP-140 in a syn geneic rat liver transplantation model using grafts preserved for different periods of time. Results. Compared with prereperfusion samples, expression did not change si gnificantly in freshly harvested and 4-hr preserved livers. In grafts prese rved for 24 hr (100% survival), GMP-140 levels increased dramatically at 1 hr, then returned to baseline at 24 hr after transplantation. Forty-eight h our preserved grafts (0% survival) showed a decreasing expression. To ident ify possible mediators, the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and inte rleukin-1 beta on GMP-140 expression in primary sinusoidal endothelial cell s were analyzed, These cytokines increased both the percentage of stained c ells as well as their mean staining fluorescence. Conclusions. The absence of increase in 48-hr grafts suggests that GMP-140 may distinguish viable from nonviable livers.