Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Increases Leukocyte Recruitment in the Mouse Parietal Peritoneum Microcirculation and Causes Fibrosis

Mice with peritoneal catheter implants had disruption of the mesothelial layer and increased leukocyte infiltration. BALB/c male mice were dialyzed with PD fluids daily over 6 weeks through a catheter implant. Four hours after the last dialysis solution (2.5 % glucose) injection, the mice were prepared for IVM and the parietal peritoneum and underlying microcirculation were imaged with transillumination technique. The mesothelial layer (first column), submesothelial compact zone (second column) and underlying venules (third column) were visualized. (A) Na？ve mice had an intact mesothelial layer and had minimal leukocyte infiltration in the venules. (B) The group of mice that had catheter implants without dialysis and (C) the group that received dialysis fluids through the catheter had rounded and hypertrophied mesothelial cells and increased leukocyte infiltration in the peritoneal tissue. Representative images, n = 4 – 6 mice, scale bar = 20 μm. PD = peritoneal dialysis; IVM = intravital microscopy