Apparent successful mesothelial cell transplantation hampered by peritoneal activation

Apparent successful mesothelial cell transplantation hampered by peritoneal activation. Background Mesothelial cell transplantation has been suggested to improve mesothelial repair after surgery, recurrent peritonitis and peritoneal dialysis. Methods In this study we evaluated mesothelial cell transplantation during the resolution phase of experimentally thioglycollate-induced peritonitis in rats. To this end 4 × 10 6 DiO-labeled autologous mesothelial cells were transplanted 1 week after peritonitis induction. Peritoneal inflammation and permeability characteristics were evaluated after another week. Results Mesothelial cell transplantation after peritonitis resulted in incorporation of these cells in the parietal mesothelial lining, leading to an acute transient submesothelial thickening which was not seen in transplanted animals without prior peritonitis induction. Long-term functioning of these repopulated mesothelial cells leaded to peritoneal activation as evidenced by a ∼twofold increase in peritoneal lymphocytes ( P P P P P Conclusion Altogether, our data underscore the importance of controlling peritoneal (patho)physiology and function in mesothelial transplantation protocols.