Methods for preparing, storing, and transporting a native or engineered organ for transplant

A method for preparing an engineered lung for transport, comprising:

• (i) removing the engineered lung from a recellularization bioreactor;
• (ii) externally cooling the engineered lung in a 4° C. solution comprising dextran and buffered at physiological pH;
• (iii) flushing vasculature of the engineered lung with a 4° C. solution comprising dextran and buffered at physiological pH;
• (iv) performing bronchoscopy and suction on the engineered lung;
• (v) adding a surfactant into the engineered lung by the bronchoscope or other device to deliver the surfactant to an airway of the engineered lung;
• and
• (vi) ventilating the engineered lung with a FiO2 of 0.21 to 1.0 followed by a manual inspiratory hold and airway clamp at peak inflation to trap gas in the engineered lung, wherein ventilating the engineered lung is performed with an electronic or manual mechanical ventilation device.

A method of transporting a native or engineered organ for transplant, comprising providing a first container containing a 10° C. solution comprising dextran and buffered at physiological pH and configured to receive and hold the native or engineered organ therein;

• providing a second container configured to receive and hold the first container therein;
• placing the native or engineered organ into the first container;
• placing the first container into the second container;
• and transporting the native or engineered organ, wherein the second container preserves the temperature of the native or engineered organ at a temperature of about 10° C. for at least 2 hours.

A solution comprising a buffer to maintain physiological pH, dextran, and an additive, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of:

• an omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid admixture;
• CaCl2;
• glycogen;
• L-alanyl-L-glutamine;
• an vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacinamide, dexpanthenol, folic acid, and biotin admixture;
• isolated mitochondria;
• albumin;
• trehalose;
• niacinamide;
• pyruvate;
• or combinations thereof.