Abstract
In the case of massive splenic rupture, heterotopic autologous transplantation of splenic tissue into the omentum majus may be used to restore splenic function. Yet little is known about specific functions of the transplants compared to the normal spleen. The goal of this study was to get more information about immunologic functions and protein expression in splenic transplants. As an animal model we used the pig, whose splenic morphology and immunoarchitecture is similar to that of the human spleen. Histologic examination of transplants revealed structures that were comparable to normal spleens (consisting of red and white pulp and including germinal centers). Immunologic tests such as the hemolytic plaque assay and mitogen stimulation revealed that the number of plaque-forming cells was not changed significantly, but the stimulation index for T cells was drastically increased in the autotransplants. Electrophoresis and immunochemical methods showed differences in the protein patterns between both tissues. Several proteins were found to be produced only in the spleen, or were produced in much higher amounts in the spleen than in the splenic transplants. More information about these differences between spleen and splenic transplants is needed before we can recommend a general clinical application of autologous spleen transplantation.