Organ preservation and/or perfusion

Abstract

The present invention relates to a solution for preservation, perfusion, and/or reperfusion of an organ, especially the heart, for transplantation. The solution contains peptide inhibitor(s) of protein kinase C ε (PKC ε). Methods for using the inventive solution are also disclosed, including methods for preserving an organ for transplantation, for protecting an ischemic organ from damage, for attenuating organ dysfunction after ischemia, for maintaining nitric oxide release and/or inhibiting superoxide release in an ischemic organ, and for protecting an organ from damage when isolated from the circulatory system.

1 . A solution for perfusion, preservation, and/or re-perfusion for organ preservation comprising at least one peptide inhibitor of protein kinase ε (PKC ε).  
     
     
         2 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peptide inhibitor is dissolved in saline solution.  
     
     
         3 . The solution of  claim 1 , further comprising potassium chloride.  
     
     
         4 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peptide inhibitor of PKC ε has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.  
     
     
         5 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the at least one peptide inhibitor of PKC ε is about 1-10 μM.  
     
     
         6 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the organ is a heart.  
     
     
         7 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the organ is a mammalian organ.  
     
     
         8 . The solution of  claim 7 , wherein the mammal is human.  
     
     
         9 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the organ is preserved for transplantation.  
     
     
         10 . A method for preserving an organ for transplantation, protecting an ischemic organ, attenuating organ dysfunction after ischemia, or protecting an organ from damage after isolation from the circulatory system, said method comprising the step of perfusing the organ with the solution of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one peptide inhibitor is dissolved in saline solution.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising potassium chloride.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one peptide inhibitor has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 1.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the concentration of the at least one peptide inhibitor of PKC ε is about 1-10 μM.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the organ is a heart.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the organ is a mammalian organ.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the mammal is human.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the organ is preserved for transplantation.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the wherein the peptide inhibitors/activators are myristolated.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of submerging the organ in the solution of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the perfusing step takes place at a rate of less than about 20 mL/minute.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the perfusing step takes place at a rate of about 1 mL/minute.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the perfusing step is a retrograde perfusion.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the perfusing step lasts about 5 minutes.