Background: The failure of translating results obtained in animal models into humans is one of the main problems in medical research. The aim of our study was the development of a new model to study leukocyte-endothelial live reactions in human tissue by using the human placenta.

Material and Methods: Human placentas (n=14) from elective caesarean deliveries were used after informed consent. All placentas were immediately connected to a monitored perfusion system consisting of a roller-pump, reservoir, oxygenator, hemo-filter and bubble-trap. The placentas were reperfused with compatible human blood for 240 min after a period of 30 min cold ischemia. The placentas were divided in two groups. One group (n=7) received ATGs (ATG-Fresenius; Fresenius Biotech, GrÄfelfing, Germany) administered to human blood 30 min prior to reperfusion. The other group (n=7) served as control. Using intravital fluorescence microscopy the postreperfusion microcirculation of the placenta was visualized.

Results: Our human placenta model could be validated for the study of ischemia-reperfusion injury reactions. The hemodynamic measurements were consistent within the single experiments and the AVDO2 showed a continuous vitality of the perfused tissues. Significant differences were found between ATG-treated and the ATG-free group concerning blood flow velocity, and leukocyte-endothelium interaction.

Conclusion: The isolated human placenta allows the study of living human endothelium in a vascular structure. This new model is adequate for the study of leukocyte-endothelium interactions with the help of intravital fluorescence microscopy.

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