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Fiebig U, Krüger L, Denner J. Determination of the Copy Number of Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses (PERV) in Auckland Island Pigs Repeatedly Used for Clinical Xenotransplantation and Elimination of PERV-C. Microorganisms 2024; 12:98. [PMID: 38257925 PMCID: PMC10820294 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Auckland Island pigs represent an inbred population of feral pigs isolated on the sub-Antarctic island for over 100 years. The animals have been maintained under pathogen-free conditions in New Zealand; they are well characterized virologically and have been used as donor sources in first clinical trials of porcine neonatal islet cell transplantation for the treatment of human diabetes patients. The animals do not carry any of the xenotransplantation-relevant viruses, and in the first clinical trials, no porcine viruses, including porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) were transmitted to the human recipients. PERVs pose a special risk in xenotransplantation, since they are part of the pig genome. When the copy number of PERVs in these animals was analyzed using droplet digital PCR and primers binding to a conserved region of the polymerase gene (PERVpol), a copy number typical for Western pigs was found. This confirms previous phylogenetic analyses of microsatellites as well as mitochondrial analyses showing a closer relationship to European pigs than to Chinese pigs. When kidney cells from very young piglets were analyzed, only around 20 PERVpol copies were detected. Using these cells as donors in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), animals were born showing PERVpol copy numbers between 35 and 56. These data indicate that Auckland Island pigs have a similar copy number in comparison with other Western pig breeds and that the copy number is higher in adult animals compared with cells from young piglets. Most importantly, PERV-C-free animals were selected and the absence of an additional eight porcine viruses was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Fiebig
- Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (U.F.); (L.K.)
| | - Luise Krüger
- Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (U.F.); (L.K.)
| | - Joachim Denner
- Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (U.F.); (L.K.)
- Institute of Virology, Free University, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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2
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Liu Y, Niu Y, Ma X, Xiang Y, Wu D, Li W, Wang T, Niu D. Porcine endogenous retrovirus: classification, molecular structure, regulation, function, and potential risk in xenotransplantation. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:60. [PMID: 36790562 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-00984-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Xenotransplantation with porcine organs has been recognized as a promising solution to alleviate the shortage of organs for human transplantation. Porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV), whose proviral DNAs are integrated in the genome of all pig breeds, is a main microbiological risk for xenotransplantation. Over the last decades, some advances on PERVs' studies have been achieved. Here, we reviewed the current progress of PERVs including the classification, molecular structure, regulation, function in immune system, and potential risk in xenotransplantation. We also discussed the problem of insufficient study on PERVs as well as the questions need to be answered in the future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China
| | - Yifan Niu
- College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China
| | - Xiang Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China.,College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.,Jinhua Jinfan Feed Co., Ltd, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321000, China
| | - Yun Xiang
- Jinhua Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321000, China
| | - De Wu
- Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinhua Development Zone, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321000, China
| | - Weifen Li
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
| | - Tao Wang
- Nanjing Kgene Genetic Engineering Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211300, China.
| | - Dong Niu
- College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China.
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Virus Safety of Xenotransplantation. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091926. [PMID: 36146732 PMCID: PMC9503113 DOI: 10.3390/v14091926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The practice of xenotransplantation using pig islet cells or organs is under development to alleviate the shortage of human donor islet cells or organs for the treatment of diabetes or organ failure. Multiple genetically modified pigs were generated to prevent rejection. Xenotransplantation may be associated with the transmission of potentially zoonotic porcine viruses. In order to prevent this, we developed highly sensitive PCR-based, immunologicals and other methods for the detection of numerous xenotransplantation-relevant viruses. These methods were used for the screening of donor pigs and xenotransplant recipients. Of special interest are the porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) that are integrated in the genome of all pigs, which are able to infect human cells, and that cannot be eliminated by methods that other viruses can. We showed, using droplet digital PCR, that the number of PERV proviruses is different in different pigs (usually around 60). Furthermore, the copy number is different in different organs of a single pig, indicating that PERVs are active in the living animals. We showed that in the first clinical trials treating diabetic patients with pig islet cells, no porcine viruses were transmitted. However, in preclinical trials transplanting pig hearts orthotopically into baboons, porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), a porcine roseolovirus (PCMV/PRV), and porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3), but no PERVs, were transmitted. PCMV/PRV transmission resulted in a significant reduction of the survival time of the xenotransplant. PCMV/PRV was also transmitted in the first pig heart transplantation to a human patient and possibly contributed to the death of the patient. Transmission means that the virus was detected in the recipient, however it remains unclear whether it can infect primate cells, including human cells. We showed previously that PCMV/PRV can be eliminated from donor pigs by early weaning. PERVs were also not transmitted by inoculation of human cell-adapted PERV into small animals, rhesus monkey, baboons and cynomolgus monkeys, even when pharmaceutical immunosuppression was applied. Since PERVs were not transmitted in clinical, preclinical, or infection experiments, it remains unclear whether they should be inactivated in the pig genome by CRISPR/Cas. In summary, by using our sensitive methods, the safety of xenotransplantation can be ensured.
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Denner J. What does the PERV copy number tell us? Xenotransplantation 2022; 29:e12732. [PMID: 35112403 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Denner
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Niu G, Jin Z, Zhang C, He D, Gao X, Zou C, Zhang W, Ding J, Das BC, Severinov K, Hitzeroth II, Debata PR, Ma X, Tian X, Gao Q, Wu J, You Z, Tian R, Cui Z, Fan W, Xie W, Huang Z, Cao C, Xu W, Xie H, Xu H, Tang X, Wang Y, Yu Z, Han H, Tan S, Chen S, Hu Z. An effective vaginal gel to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 system encapsulated in poly (β-amino ester) nanoparticles for vaginal gene therapy. EBioMedicine 2020; 58:102897. [PMID: 32711250 PMCID: PMC7387785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene therapy has held promises for treating specific genetic diseases. However, the key to clinical application depends on effective gene delivery. METHODS Using a large animal model, we developed two pharmaceutical formulations for gene delivery in the pigs' vagina, which were made up of poly (β-amino ester) (PBAE)-plasmid polyplex nanoparticles (NPs) based two gel materials, modified montmorillonite (mMMT) and hectorite (HTT). FINDINGS By conducting flow cytometry of the cervical cells, we found that PBAE-GFP-NPs-mMMT gel was more efficient than PBAE-GFP-NPs-HTT gel in delivering exogenous DNA intravaginally. Next, we designed specific CRISPR/SpCas9 sgRNAs targeting porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) and evaluated the genome editing efficacy in vivo. We discovered that PERV copy number in vaginal epithelium could be significantly reduced by the local delivery of the PBAE-SpCas9/sgRNA NPs-mMMT gel. Comparable genome editing results were also obtained by high-fidelity version of SpCas9, SpCas9-HF1 and eSpCas9, in the mMMT gel. Further, we confirmed that the expression of topically delivered SpCas9 was limited to the vagina/cervix and did not diffuse to nearby organs, which was relatively safe with low toxicity. INTERPRETATION Our data suggested that the PBAE-NPs mMMT vaginal gel is an effective preparation for local gene therapy, yielding insights into novel therapeutic approaches to sexually transmitted disease in the genital tract. FUNDING This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project of the Ministry of science and technology of China (No. 2018ZX10301402); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81761148025, 81871473 and 81402158); Guangzhou Science and Technology Programme (No. 201704020093); National Ten Thousand Plan-Young Top Talents of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (17ykzd15 and 19ykyjs07); Three Big Constructions-Supercomputing Application Cultivation Projects sponsored by National Supercomputer Center In Guangzhou; the National Research FFoundation (NRF) South Africa under BRICS Multilateral Joint Call for Proposals; grant 17-54-80078 from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Niu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhuang Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Dan He
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueqin Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Chenming Zou
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jiahui Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Bhudev C Das
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, Noida 201313, India
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo, Moscow Region 143025, Russian Federation
| | - Inga Isabel Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Priya Ranjan Debata
- Department of Zoology, North Orissa University, Takatpur, Baripada, Odisha 757003, India
| | - Xin Ma
- Department of Urology, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Xun Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academician expert workstation, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Wu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Zeshan You
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Rui Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zifeng Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Weiwen Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Weiling Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhaoyue Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Chen Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academician expert workstation, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hongxian Xie
- Generulor Company Bio-X Lab, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yuebei People's Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shaoguan 512026, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiongzhi Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guilin People's Hospital, Guilin, The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 541002, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Zhiying Yu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Han
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine & Department of Urology, Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Songwei Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Shuqin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Zheng Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China; Precision Medicine Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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6
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Fiebig U, Fischer K, Bähr A, Runge C, Schnieke A, Wolf E, Denner J. Porcine endogenous retroviruses: Quantification of the copy number in cell lines, pig breeds, and organs. Xenotransplantation 2018; 25:e12445. [DOI: 10.1111/xen.12445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Konrad Fischer
- School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan; Technische Universität München; Freising Germany
| | - Andrea Bähr
- Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology; Gene Center; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Oberschleißheim Germany
| | | | - Angelika Schnieke
- School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan; Technische Universität München; Freising Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology; Gene Center; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Oberschleißheim Germany
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Łopata K, Wojdas E, Nowak R, Łopata P, Mazurek U. Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus (PERV) - Molecular Structure and Replication Strategy in the Context of Retroviral Infection Risk of Human Cells. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:730. [PMID: 29755422 PMCID: PMC5932395 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The xenotransplantation of porcine tissues may help overcome the shortage of human organs for transplantation. However, there are some concerns about recipient safety because the risk of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) transmission to human cells remains unknown. Although, to date, no PERV infections have been noted in vivo, the possibility of such infections has been confirmed in vitro. Better understanding of the structure and replication cycle of PERVs is a prerequisite for determining the risk of infection and planning PERV-detection strategies. This review presents the current state of knowledge about the structure and replication cycle of PERVs in the context of retroviral infection risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Łopata
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Emilia Wojdas
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.,Department of Instrumental Analysis, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Roman Nowak
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Paweł Łopata
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Urszula Mazurek
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Mourad NI, Crossan C, Cruikshank V, Scobie L, Gianello P. Characterization of porcine endogenous retrovirus expression in neonatal and adult pig pancreatic islets. Xenotransplantation 2017; 24. [DOI: 10.1111/xen.12311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nizar I. Mourad
- Pôle de chirurgie expérimentale et transplantation; Université catholique de Louvain; Brussels Belgium
| | - Claire Crossan
- School of Health and Life Sciences; Glasgow Caledonian University; Glasgow Scotland
| | - Victoria Cruikshank
- School of Health and Life Sciences; Glasgow Caledonian University; Glasgow Scotland
| | - Linda Scobie
- School of Health and Life Sciences; Glasgow Caledonian University; Glasgow Scotland
| | - Pierre Gianello
- Pôle de chirurgie expérimentale et transplantation; Université catholique de Louvain; Brussels Belgium
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9
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How Active Are Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses (PERVs)? Viruses 2016; 8:v8080215. [PMID: 27527207 PMCID: PMC4997577 DOI: 10.3390/v8080215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) represent a risk factor if porcine cells, tissues, or organs were to be transplanted into human recipients to alleviate the shortage of human transplants; a procedure called xenotransplantation. In contrast to human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), which are mostly defective and not replication-competent, PERVs are released from normal pig cells and are infectious. PERV-A and PERV-B are polytropic viruses infecting cells of several species, among them humans; whereas PERV-C is an ecotropic virus infecting only pig cells. Virus infection was shown in co-culture experiments, but also in vivo, in the pig, leading to de novo integration of proviruses in certain organs. This was shown by measurement of the copy number per cell, finding different numbers in different organs. In addition, recombinations between PERV-A and PERV-C were observed and the recombinant PERV-A/C were found to be integrated in cells of different organs, but not in the germ line of the animals. Here, the evidence for such in vivo activities of PERVs, including expression as mRNA, protein and virus particles, de novo infection and recombination, will be summarised. These activities make screening of pigs for provirus number and PERV expression level difficult, especially when only blood or ear biopsies are available for analysis. Highly sensitive methods to measure the copy number and the expression level will be required when selecting pigs with low copy number and low expression of PERV as well as when inactivating PERVs using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease (CRISPR/Cas) technology.
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Kimsa-Dudek M, Strzalka-Mrozik B, Kimsa MW, Blecharz I, Gola J, Skowronek B, Janiszewski A, Lipinski D, Zeyland J, Szalata M, Slomski R, Mazurek U. Screening pigs for xenotransplantation: expression of porcine endogenous retroviruses in transgenic pig skin. Transgenic Res 2015; 24:529-36. [PMID: 25812516 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-015-9871-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Pigs seem to be the answer to worldwide organ donor shortage. Porcine skin may also be applied as a dressing for severe burns. Genetic modifications of donor animals enable reduction of immune response, which prolongs xenograft survival as temporary biological dressing and allows achieving resistance against xenograft rejection. The risk posed by porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) cannot be eliminated by breeding animals under specific-pathogen-free conditions and so all recipients of porcine graft will be exposed to PERVs. Therefore our study has been focused on the assessment of PERV DNA and mRNA level in skin samples of transgenic pigs generated for xenotransplantation. Porcine skin fragments were obtained from 3- to 6-month-old non-transgenic and transgenic Polish Landrace pigs. Transgenic pigs were produced by pronuclear DNA microinjection and were developed to express the human α-galactosidase and the human α-1,2-fucosyltransferase gene. The copy numbers of PERV DNA and RNA were evaluated using real-time Q-PCR and QRT-PCR. Comparative analysis of all PERV subtypes revealed that PERV-A is the main subtype of PERVs in analyzed skin samples. There was no significantly different copy number of PERV-A, PERV-B and PERV-C between non-transgenic pigs, pigs with the human α-galactosidase and pigs expressing the human α-1,2-fucosyltransferase gene, except of PERV-C DNA. It brings the conclusion, that transgenesis process exerts no influence on PERVs transinfection. That is another step forward in the development of pig skin xenografts as burn wounds dressing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kimsa-Dudek
- Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Jednosci 8, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland,
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11
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Porcine endogenous retroviruses in xenotransplantation--molecular aspects. Viruses 2014; 6:2062-83. [PMID: 24828841 PMCID: PMC4036542 DOI: 10.3390/v6052062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Revised: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the context of the shortage of organs and other tissues for use in human transplantation, xenotransplantation procedures with material taken from pigs have come under increased consideration. However, there are unclear consequences of the potential transmission of porcine pathogens to humans. Of particular concern are porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs). Three subtypes of PERV have been identified, of which PERV-A and PERV-B have the ability to infect human cells in vitro. The PERV-C subtype does not show this ability but recombinant PERV-A/C forms have demonstrated infectivity in human cells. In view of the risk presented by these observations, the International Xenotransplantation Association recently indicated the existence of four strategies to prevent transmission of PERVs. This article focuses on the molecular aspects of PERV infection in xenotransplantation and reviews the techniques available for the detection of PERV DNA, RNA, reverse transcriptase activity and proteins, and anti-PERV antibodies to enable carrying out these recommendations. These methods could be used to evaluate the risk of PERV transmission in human recipients, enhance the effectiveness and reliability of monitoring procedures, and stimulate discussion on the development of improved, more sensitive methods for the detection of PERVs in the future.
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12
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Gola J, Mazurek U. Detection of porcine endogenous retrovirus in xenotransplantation. Reprod Biol 2014; 14:68-73. [PMID: 24607257 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Xenotransplantation can provide a virtually limitless supply of cells, tissues and organs for a variety of therapeutic procedures. Cells and tissues for use in human transplantation procedures could be supplied using material taken from pigs. However, there is a potential risk of transmission of porcine infectious agents, including porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs), to a novel human host, with as yet unknown consequences. Three subtypes of PERV have been identified, of which both PERV-A and PERV-B have the ability to infect human cells in vitro. The third subtype, PERV-C, does not show this ability. Recombinant PERV-A/C forms have demonstrated infectivity in human cell culture. Monitoring in xenotransplantation should comprise screening of the source pig herd (PERV-A and PERV-B level expression assessment, PERV-C detection) and screening of recipients (differentiation between PERV transmission and chimerism). The detection of PERVs includes analyses of both DNA and RNA (PCR and RT-PCR), quantitative determination of the level of PERV nucleic acids (real-time PCR and real-time RT-PCR), assessment of reverse transcriptase (RT) activity (RT assays) and viral and recipient protein detection (immunological methods). In summary, all available methods should be used in monitoring of PERVs in xenotransplantation, and caution should be exercised at all stages of monitoring. Such monitoring has enormous significance for eliminating the possibility of transmission of PERV infection, thus contributing to higher levels of safety in xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Gola
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Silesia, Jednosci 8, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Urszula Mazurek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Silesia, Jednosci 8, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.
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Chung HC, Nguyen VG, Moon HJ, Kim HK, Park SJ, Lee JH, Choi MG, Kim AR, Park BK. Inhibition of porcine endogenous retrovirus in PK15 cell line by efficient multitargeting RNA interference. Transpl Int 2013; 27:96-105. [PMID: 24138389 DOI: 10.1111/tri.12219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Revised: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
To effectively suppress porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV)s, RNAi technique was utilized. RNAi is the up-to-date skill for gene knockdown which simultaneously multitargets both gag and pol genes critical for replication of PERVs. Previously, two of the most effective siRNAs (gag2, pol2) were found to reduce the expression of PERVs. Concurrent treatment of these two siRNAs (gag2+pol2) showed knockdown efficiency of up to 88% compared to negative control. However, despite the high initial knockdown efficiency 48 h after transfection caused by siRNA, it may only be a transient effect of suppressing PERVs. The multitargeting vector was designed, containing both gag and pol genes and making use of POL II miR Expression Vector, which allowed for persistent and multiple targeting. This is the latest shRNA system technique expressing and targeting like miRNA. Through antibiotics resistance characteristics utilizing this vector, miRNA-transfected PK15 cells (gag2-pol2) were selected during 10 days. An 88.1% reduction in the level of mRNA expression was found. In addition, we performed RT-activity analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization assay, and it demonstrated the highest knockdown efficiency in multitargeting (gag2+pol2) miRNA group. Therefore, according to the results above, gene knockdown system (siRNA and shRNA) through multitargeting strategy could effectively inhibit PERVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Chun Chung
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Virology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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Quantitative analysis of porcine endogenous retroviruses in different organs of transgenic pigs generated for xenotransplantation. Curr Microbiol 2013; 67:505-14. [PMID: 23728786 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-013-0397-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The pig appears to be the most promising animal donor of organs for use in human recipients. Among several types of pathogens found in pigs, one of the greatest problems is presented by porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs). Screening of the source pig herd for PERVs should include analysis of both PERV DNA and RNA. Therefore, the present study focuses on quantitative analysis of PERVs in different organs such as the skin, heart, muscle, and liver and blood of transgenic pigs generated for xenotransplantation. Transgenic pigs were developed to express the human α-galactosidase, the human α-1,2-fucosyltransferase gene, or both genetic modifications of the genome (Lipinski et al., Medycyna Wet 66:316-322, 2010; Lipinski et al., Ann Anim Sci 12:349-356, 2012; Wieczorek et al., Medycyna Wet 67:462-466, 2011). The copy numbers of PERV DNA and RNA were evaluated using real-time Q-PCR and QRT-PCR, respectively. Comparative analysis of all PERV subtypes revealed the following relationships: PERV A > PERV B > PERV C. PERV A and B were found in all samples, whereas PERV C was detected in 47 % of the tested animals. The lowest level of PERV DNA was shown in the muscles for PERV A and B and in blood samples for PERV C. The lowest level of PERV A RNA was found in the skin, whereas those of PERV B and C RNA were found in liver specimens. Quantitative analysis revealed differences in the copy number of PERV subtypes between various organs of transgenic pigs generated for xenotransplantation. Our data support the idea that careful pig selection for organ donation with low PERV copy number may limit the risk of retrovirus transmission to the human recipients.
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Genetic prevalence of porcine endogenous retrovirus in chinese experimental miniature pigs. Transplant Proc 2012; 43:2762-9. [PMID: 21911159 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2011.06.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 06/13/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pig-to-human xenotransplantation poses the potential risk of interspecies transmission of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV). The Chinese experimental miniature pig may be used as a pig-to-human xenograft donor. However, data for the distribution of PERV provirus in genomic DNA and PERV expression at the RNA level for the Chinese experimental miniature pig population are lacking. In this study, PERV was investigated in this regard using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time quantitative PCR, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The results showed that the genotype distribution was PERV-A subtype 100%, PERV-B subtype 100%, and PERV-C subtype 30% among 20 pig genomic DNA samples. Both PERV copy number in genomic DNA and PERV expression at the RNA level varied significantly among individuals, ranging from 3.95 ± 0.14 to 95.52 ± 2.20 and 3.66 ± 0.13 to 43.03 ± 2.50, respectively. For some individuals, the PERV copy number (eg, 3.95 ± 0.14) in genomic DNA and PERV expression (eg, 3.66 ± 0.13) at the RNA level were low. These results suggested that the Chinese experimental miniature pig is a possible donor for xenotransplantation. Our results provide reference information for selective breeding, which will benefit the application of these animals for the study of xenotransplantation.
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Lee D, Lee J, Yoon JK, Kim NY, Kim GW, Park C, Oh YK, Kim YB. Rapid Determination of Perv Copy Number From Porcine Genomic DNA by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Anim Biotechnol 2011; 22:175-80. [DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2011.595294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update June-October 2010. Xenotransplantation 2011; 17:481-8. [PMID: 21158949 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3089.2010.00615.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mårten K J Schneider
- Laboratory of Vascular Immunology, Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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