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Niemann H. Xenotransplantate vom Schwein – ist das Ende des Organmangels
in Sicht? TRANSFUSIONSMEDIZIN 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1814-8440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungUnter „Xenotransplantation“ wird die Übertragung von
funktionsfähigen Zellen, Geweben oder Organen zwischen verschiedenen
Spezies verstanden, insbesondere von Schweinen auf den Menschen. In den meisten
Industrieländern klafft eine große Lücke zwischen der
Anzahl geeigneter Spenderorgane und der Anzahl benötigter Transplantate.
Weltweit können nur etwa 10% des Organbedarfs durch Spenden
gedeckt werden. Eine erfolgreiche Xenotransplantation könnte diesen
Mangel mildern oder sogar weitgehend vermeiden. Das Schwein wird aus
verschiedenen Erwägungen heraus als am besten geeignete Spenderspezies
angesehen. Bei einer Übertragung porziner Organe auf Primaten treten
verschiedene immunologisch bedingte Abstoßungsreaktionen auf, die das
übertragene Organ innerhalb kurzer Zeit zerstören
können, wie die HAR (hyperakute Abstoßung), die AVR (akute
vaskuläre Abstoßung) und die spätere zelluläre
Abstoßung. Diese Abstoßungsreaktionen müssen durch
genetische Modifikationen im Schwein und eine geeignete immunsuppressive
Behandlung des Empfängers kontrolliert werden. Dazu müssen Tiere
mit mehrfachen genetischen Veränderungen produziert und im Hinblick auf
ihre Eignung für eine erfolgreiche Xenotransplantation geprüft
werden. Inzwischen können die HAR und auch die AVR durch Knockouts von
antigenen Oberflächenepitopen (z. B. αGal
[Galaktose-α1,3-Galaktose]) und transgene Expression humaner Gene mit
antiinflammatorischer, antiapoptotischer oder antikoagulativer Wirkung
zuverlässig kontrolliert werden. Nach orthotopen Transplantationen in
nicht humane Primaten konnten inzwischen mit Schweineherzen
Überlebensraten von bis zu 264 Tagen und mit porzinen Nieren von 435
Tagen erzielt werden. Eine Übertragung pathogener Erreger auf den
Empfänger kann bei Einhaltung einschlägiger
Hygienemaßnahmen ausgeschlossen werden. PERV (porzine endogene
Retroviren) können durch RNA-(Ribonukleinsäure-)Interferenz oder
Gen-Knockout ausgeschaltet werden. Sie stellen damit kein
Übertragungsrisiko für den Empfänger mehr dar. Anfang
2022 wurde in Baltimore (USA) ein Schweineherz mit 10 genetischen Modifikationen
auf einen Patienten mit schwerem Herzleiden übertragen, mit dem der
Empfänger 2 Monate offenbar ohne größere Probleme lebte.
Es wird erwartet, dass Xenotransplantate vom Schwein in absehbarer Zeit zur
klinischen Anwendungsreife kommen werden. Dazu werden klinische Versuche zur
systematischen Erfassung aller Auswirkungen solcher Transplantate auf den
Patienten sowie geeignete rechtliche und finanzielle Rahmenbedingungen
benötigt.
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Zhang J, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Bossila EA, Shi M, Zhao Y. Bioinformatic analysis as a first step to predict the compatibility of hematopoiesis and immune system genes between humans and pigs. Xenotransplantation 2022; 29:e12764. [PMID: 35695327 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The shortage of allogeneic donor organs leaves its supply far short of clinical need. There are great expectations on xenotransplantation, especially with pigs' organs. With the genetic modification of donor pigs, the rejection and cross-species transmission issues have now been widely addressed. However, research on the compatibility of genes between humans and pigs was limited. We performed a systematic screening analysis of predicted incompatible genes between humans and pigs, judged by low protein sequence similarities or different predicted protein domain compositions. By combining with gene set enrichment analysis, we screened out several key genes of hematopoiesis and the immune system with possible incompatibilities, which might be important for establishing chimera and xenotransplantation between humans and pigs. There were seven chemokine genes, including CCL1, CCL5, CCL24, CCL25, CCL28, CXCL12, and CXCL16, that exhibited limited similarity between humans and pigs (similarity < 0.8). Among hematopoiesis process-related genes, 15 genes of adhesion molecules, Notch ligands, and cytokine receptors exhibited differences between humans and pigs. In complement and coagulation cascades, 19 genes showed low similarity and 77 genes had different domain compositions between humans and pigs. Our study provides a good reference for further genetic modification of pigs, which might be beneficial for xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingzi Zhang
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elhusseny A Bossila
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mingpu Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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3
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Mou L, Shi G, Cooper DK, Lu Y, Chen J, Zhu S, Deng J, Huang Y, Ni Y, Zhan Y, Cai Z, Pu Z. Current Topics of Relevance to the Xenotransplantation of Free Pig Islets. Front Immunol 2022; 13:854883. [PMID: 35432379 PMCID: PMC9010617 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.854883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pig islet xenotransplantation is a potential treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes. Current efforts are focused on identifying the optimal pig islet source and overcoming the immunological barrier. The optimal age of the pig donors remains controversial since both adult and neonatal pig islets have advantages. Isolation of adult islets using GMP grade collagenase has significantly improved the quantity and quality of adult islets, but neonatal islets can be isolated at a much lower cost. Certain culture media and coculture with mesenchymal stromal cells facilitate neonatal islet maturation and function. Genetic modification in pigs affords a promising strategy to prevent rejection. Deletion of expression of the three known carbohydrate xenoantigens (Gal, Neu5Gc, Sda) will certainly be beneficial in pig organ transplantation in humans, but this is not yet proven in islet transplantation, though the challenge of the '4th xenoantigen' may prove problematic in nonhuman primate models. Blockade of the CD40/CD154 costimulation pathway leads to long-term islet graft survival (of up to 965 days). Anti-CD40mAbs have already been applied in phase II clinical trials of islet allotransplantation. Fc region-modified anti-CD154mAbs successfully prevent the thrombotic complications reported previously. In this review, we discuss (I) the optimal age of the islet-source pig, (ii) progress in genetic modification of pigs, (iii) the immunosuppressive regimen for pig islet xenotransplantation, and (iv) the reduction in the instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisha Mou
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Zuhui Pu, ; Lisha Mou,
| | - Guanghan Shi
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David K.C. Cooper
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ying Lu
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiao Chen
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shufang Zhu
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Deng
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- Department of Life Science, Bellevue College, Bellevue, WA, United States
| | - Yong Ni
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yongqiang Zhan
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiming Cai
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zuhui Pu
- Imaging Department, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Zuhui Pu, ; Lisha Mou,
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4
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Carvalho-Oliveira M, Valdivia E, Blasczyk R, Figueiredo C. Immunogenetics of xenotransplantation. Int J Immunogenet 2021; 48:120-134. [PMID: 33410582 DOI: 10.1111/iji.12526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Xenotransplantation may become the highly desired solution to close the gap between the availability of donated organs and number of patients on the waiting list. In recent years, enormous progress has been made in the development of genetically engineered donor pigs. The introduced genetic modifications showed to be efficient in prolonging xenograft survival. In this review, we focus on the type of immune responses that may target xeno-organs after transplantation and promising immunogenetic modifications that show a beneficial effect in ameliorating or eliminating harmful xenogeneic immune responses. Increasing histocompatibility of xenografts by eliminating genetic discrepancies between species will pave their way into clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Carvalho-Oliveira
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,TRR127 - Biology of Xenogeneic Cell and Organ Transplantation - from bench to bedside, Hannover, Germany
| | - Emilio Valdivia
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rainer Blasczyk
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Constanca Figueiredo
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,TRR127 - Biology of Xenogeneic Cell and Organ Transplantation - from bench to bedside, Hannover, Germany
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5
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Hryhorowicz M, Lipiński D, Hryhorowicz S, Nowak-Terpiłowska A, Ryczek N, Zeyland J. Application of Genetically Engineered Pigs in Biomedical Research. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11060670. [PMID: 32575461 PMCID: PMC7349405 DOI: 10.3390/genes11060670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Progress in genetic engineering over the past few decades has made it possible to develop methods that have led to the production of transgenic animals. The development of transgenesis has created new directions in research and possibilities for its practical application. Generating transgenic animal species is not only aimed towards accelerating traditional breeding programs and improving animal health and the quality of animal products for consumption but can also be used in biomedicine. Animal studies are conducted to develop models used in gene function and regulation research and the genetic determinants of certain human diseases. Another direction of research, described in this review, focuses on the use of transgenic animals as a source of high-quality biopharmaceuticals, such as recombinant proteins. The further aspect discussed is the use of genetically modified animals as a source of cells, tissues, and organs for transplantation into human recipients, i.e., xenotransplantation. Numerous studies have shown that the pig (Sus scrofa domestica) is the most suitable species both as a research model for human diseases and as an optimal organ donor for xenotransplantation. Short pregnancy, short generation interval, and high litter size make the production of transgenic pigs less time-consuming in comparison with other livestock species This review describes genetically modified pigs used for biomedical research and the future challenges and perspectives for the use of the swine animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Hryhorowicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznań, Poland; (D.L.); (A.N.-T.); (N.R.); (J.Z.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Daniel Lipiński
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznań, Poland; (D.L.); (A.N.-T.); (N.R.); (J.Z.)
| | - Szymon Hryhorowicz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 32, 60-479 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Nowak-Terpiłowska
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznań, Poland; (D.L.); (A.N.-T.); (N.R.); (J.Z.)
| | - Natalia Ryczek
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznań, Poland; (D.L.); (A.N.-T.); (N.R.); (J.Z.)
| | - Joanna Zeyland
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznań, Poland; (D.L.); (A.N.-T.); (N.R.); (J.Z.)
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6
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Kidney Regenerative Medicine: Promises and Limitations. CURRENT TRANSPLANTATION REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40472-020-00273-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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7
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Hein R, Sake HJ, Pokoyski C, Hundrieser J, Brinkmann A, Baars W, Nowak-Imialek M, Lucas-Hahn A, Figueiredo C, Schuberth HJ, Niemann H, Petersen B, Schwinzer R. Triple (GGTA1, CMAH, B2M) modified pigs expressing an SLA class I low phenotype-Effects on immune status and susceptibility to human immune responses. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:988-998. [PMID: 31733031 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Porcine xenografts lacking swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class I are thought to be protected from human T cell responses. We have previously shown that SLA class I deficiency can be achieved in pigs by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of β2 -microglobulin (B2M). Here, we characterized another line of genetically modified pigs in which targeting of the B2M locus did not result in complete absence of B2M and SLA class I but rather in significantly reduced expression levels of both molecules. Residual SLA class I was functionally inert, because no proper differentiation of the CD8+ T cell subset was observed in B2Mlow pigs. Cells from B2Mlow pigs were less capable in triggering proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro, which was mainly due to the nonresponsiveness of CD8+ T cells. Nevertheless, cytotoxic effector cells developing from unaffected cell populations (eg, CD4+ T cells, natural killer cells) lysed targets from both SLA class I+ wildtype and SLA class Ilow pigs with similar efficiency. These data indicate that the absence of SLA class I is an effective approach to prevent the activation of human CD8+ T cells during the induction phase of an anti-xenograft response. However, cytotoxic activity of cells during the effector phase cannot be controlled by this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabea Hein
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hendrik J Sake
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Claudia Pokoyski
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Joachim Hundrieser
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Antje Brinkmann
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wiebke Baars
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Monika Nowak-Imialek
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Andrea Lucas-Hahn
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| | | | | | - Heiner Niemann
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Björn Petersen
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Reinhard Schwinzer
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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8
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Nowak-Terpiłowska A, Lipiński D, Hryhorowicz M, Juzwa W, Jura J, Słomski R, Mazurkiewicz N, Gawrońska B, Zeyland J. Production of ULBP1-KO pigs with human CD55 expression using CRISPR technology. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2020.1735396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Lipiński
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Magdalena Hryhorowicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Wojciech Juzwa
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jacek Jura
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Balice, Poland
| | - Ryszard Słomski
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Natalia Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Barbara Gawrońska
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Zeyland
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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9
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Liu F, Dai S, Feng D, Peng X, Qin Z, Kearns AC, Huang W, Chen Y, Ergün S, Wang H, Rappaport J, Bryda EC, Chandrasekhar A, Aktas B, Hu H, Chang SL, Gao B, Qin X. Versatile cell ablation tools and their applications to study loss of cell functions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:4725-4743. [PMID: 31359086 PMCID: PMC6858955 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03243-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Targeted cell ablation is a powerful approach for studying the role of specific cell populations in a variety of organotypic functions, including cell differentiation, and organ generation and regeneration. Emerging tools for permanently or conditionally ablating targeted cell populations and transiently inhibiting neuronal activities exhibit a diversity of application and utility. Each tool has distinct features, and none can be universally applied to study different cell types in various tissue compartments. Although these tools have been developed for over 30 years, they require additional improvement. Currently, there is no consensus on how to select the tools to answer the specific scientific questions of interest. Selecting the appropriate cell ablation technique to study the function of a targeted cell population is less straightforward than selecting the method to study a gene's functions. In this review, we discuss the features of the various tools for targeted cell ablation and provide recommendations for optimal application of specific approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengming Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, 70433, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Shen Dai
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Dechun Feng
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Xiao Peng
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Zhongnan Qin
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, 70433, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Alison C Kearns
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Wenfei Huang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ, 07079, USA
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
- Key Lab for Immunology in Universities of Shandong Province, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, 261053, Weifang, People's Republic of China
| | - Süleyman Ergün
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximillan University, 97070, Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Jay Rappaport
- Division of Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA, 70433, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Bryda
- Rat Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, 4011 Discovery Drive, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
| | - Anand Chandrasekhar
- Division of Biological Sciences, 340D Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 Rollins St, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Bertal Aktas
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hongzhen Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Center for the Study of Itch, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sulie L Chang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ, 07079, USA
| | - Bin Gao
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Xuebin Qin
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, 70433, USA.
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
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10
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Ladowski JM, Martens GR, Reyes LM, Hauptfeld-Dolejsek V, Tector M, Tector J. Examining epitope mutagenesis as a strategy to reduce and eliminate human antibody binding to class II swine leukocyte antigens. Immunogenetics 2019; 71:479-487. [PMID: 31270568 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-019-01123-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Xenotransplantation of pig organs into people may help alleviate the critical shortage of donors which faces organ transplantation. Unfortunately, human antibodies vigorously attack pig tissues preventing the clinical application of xenotransplantation. The swine leukocyte antigens (SLA), homologs of human HLA molecules, can be xenoantigens. SLA molecules, encoded by genes in the pig major histocompatibility complex, contribute to protective immune responses in pig. Therefore, simply inactivating them through genome engineering could reduce the ability of the human immune system to surveil transplanted pig organs for infectious disease or the development of neoplasms. A potential solution to this problem is to identify and modify epitopes in SLA proteins to eliminate their contribution to humoral xenoantigenicity while retaining their biosynthetic competence and ability to contribute to protective immunity. We previously showed that class II SLA proteins were recognized as xenoantigens and mutating arginine at position 55 to proline, in an SLA-DQ beta chain, could reduce human antibody binding. Here, we extend these observations by creating several additional point mutants at position 55. Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for class II SLA proteins, we show that these mutants remain biosynthetically competent. Examining antibody binding to these variants shows that point mutagenesis can reduce, eliminate, or increase antibody binding to class II SLA proteins. Individual mutations can have opposite effects on antibody binding when comparing samples from different people. We also performed a preliminary analysis of creating point mutants near to position 55 to demonstrate that manipulating additional residues also affects antibody reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Ladowski
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, ZRB 701, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Gregory R Martens
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, ZRB 701, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Luz M Reyes
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, ZRB 701, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Vera Hauptfeld-Dolejsek
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, ZRB 701, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Transplant Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Matthew Tector
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, ZRB 701, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Transplant Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Joseph Tector
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, ZRB 701, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- Transplant Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Zhao J, Lai L, Ji W, Zhou Q. Genome editing in large animals: current status and future prospects. Natl Sci Rev 2019; 6:402-420. [PMID: 34691891 PMCID: PMC8291540 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwz013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Large animals (non-human primates, livestock and dogs) are playing important roles in biomedical research, and large livestock animals serve as important sources of meat and milk. The recently developed programmable DNA nucleases have revolutionized the generation of gene-modified large animals that are used for biological and biomedical research. In this review, we briefly introduce the recent advances in nuclease-meditated gene editing tools, and we outline these editing tools’ applications in human disease modeling, regenerative medicine and agriculture. Additionally, we provide perspectives regarding the challenges and prospects of the new genome editing technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Weizhi Ji
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Abstract
The growing shortage of available organs is a major problem in transplantology. Thus, new and alternative sources of organs need to be found. One promising solution could be xenotransplantation, i.e., the use of animal cells, tissues and organs. The domestic pig is the optimum donor for such transplants. However, xenogeneic transplantation from pigs to humans involves high immune incompatibility and a complex rejection process. The rapid development of genetic engineering techniques enables genome modifications in pigs that reduce the cross-species immune barrier.
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Buermann A, Petkov S, Petersen B, Hein R, Lucas-Hahn A, Baars W, Brinkmann A, Niemann H, Schwinzer R. Pigs expressing the human inhibitory ligand PD-L1 (CD 274) provide a new source of xenogeneic cells and tissues with low immunogenic properties. Xenotransplantation 2018; 25:e12387. [DOI: 10.1111/xen.12387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Buermann
- Transplant Laboratory; Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery; Hannover Medical School; Hannover Germany
| | - Stoyan Petkov
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics; Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut; Mariensee Germany
| | - Björn Petersen
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics; Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut; Mariensee Germany
| | - Rabea Hein
- Transplant Laboratory; Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery; Hannover Medical School; Hannover Germany
| | - Andrea Lucas-Hahn
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics; Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut; Mariensee Germany
| | - Wiebke Baars
- Transplant Laboratory; Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery; Hannover Medical School; Hannover Germany
| | - Antje Brinkmann
- Transplant Laboratory; Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery; Hannover Medical School; Hannover Germany
| | - Heiner Niemann
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics; Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut; Mariensee Germany
| | - Reinhard Schwinzer
- Transplant Laboratory; Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery; Hannover Medical School; Hannover Germany
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Buermann A, Römermann D, Baars W, Hundrieser J, Klempnauer J, Schwinzer R. Inhibition of B-cell activation and antibody production by triggering inhibitory signals via the PD-1/PD-ligand pathway. Xenotransplantation 2016; 23:347-56. [PMID: 27613101 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of donor-reactive antibodies is regarded to be an important barrier limiting long-term outcome of allo- and xenografts. We asked whether enhanced signaling via the co-inhibitory receptor programmed cell death-1 (PD-1; CD279) can downregulate human B-cell activation. METHODS Proliferation of human purified CD19(+) B cells was induced by in vitro stimulation with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-B). To induce antibody production, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were co-cultured with the porcine B-cell line L23. Triggering of inhibitory signals via the PD-1 receptor was obtained either using a recombinant agonistic soluble ligand (PD-L1.Ig) or L23 transfectants overexpressing membrane-bound human PD-L1 (CD274; L23-PD-L1 cells). RESULTS Stimulation of purified CD19(+) B cells with CpG-B resulted in upregulation of PD-1 and strong proliferation. Addition of PD-L1.Ig significantly reduced B-cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. A great proportion (~1%) of human circulating B cells recognizes the epitope galactose-α1,3-galactose-β1,4-N-acetylglucosamine-R (α-gal). Thus, when B cells-in the presence of T cell help-were cocultured with α-gal-expressing L23 cells, anti-gal and anti-L23 antibodies could readily be detected in the culture supernatant. The level of induced antibodies was significantly reduced when stimulation was performed by L23-PD-L1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Enhancing inhibitory signals may be part of future protocols to better control humoral immunity to allo- and xenografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Buermann
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General- Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dorothee Römermann
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General- Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wiebke Baars
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General- Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Joachim Hundrieser
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General- Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jürgen Klempnauer
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General- Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reinhard Schwinzer
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General- Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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15
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The production of multi-transgenic pigs: update and perspectives for xenotransplantation. Transgenic Res 2016; 25:361-74. [PMID: 26820415 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-016-9934-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The domestic pig shares many genetic, anatomical and physiological similarities to humans and is thus considered to be a suitable organ donor for xenotransplantation. However, prior to clinical application of porcine xenografts, three major hurdles have to be overcome: (1) various immunological rejection responses, (2) physiological incompatibilities between the porcine organ and the human recipient and (3) the risk of transmitting zoonotic pathogens from pig to humans. With the introduction of genetically engineered pigs expressing high levels of human complement regulatory proteins or lacking expression of α-Gal epitopes, the HAR can be consistently overcome. However, none of the transgenic porcine organs available to date was fully protected against the binding of anti-non-Gal xenoreactive natural antibodies. The present view is that long-term survival of xenografts after transplantation into primates requires additional modifications of the porcine genome and a specifically tailored immunosuppression regimen compliant with current clinical standards. This requires the production and characterization of multi-transgenic pigs to control HAR, AVR and DXR. The recent emergence of new sophisticated molecular tools such as Zinc-Finger nucleases, Transcription-activator like endonucleases, and the CRISPR/Cas9 system has significantly increased efficiency and precision of the production of genetically modified pigs for xenotransplantation. Several candidate genes, incl. hTM, hHO-1, hA20, CTLA4Ig, have been explored in their ability to improve long-term survival of porcine xenografts after transplantation into non-human primates. This review provides an update on the current status in the production of multi-transgenic pigs for xenotransplantation which could bring porcine xenografts closer to clinical application.
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Griesemer A, Yamada K, Sykes M. Xenotransplantation: immunological hurdles and progress toward tolerance. Immunol Rev 2015; 258:241-58. [PMID: 24517437 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The discrepancy between organ need and organ availability represents one of the major limitations in the field of transplantation. One possible solution to this problem is xenotransplantation. Research in this field has identified several obstacles that have so far prevented the successful development of clinical xenotransplantation protocols. The main immunologic barriers include strong T-cell and B-cell responses to solid organ and cellular xenografts. In addition, components of the innate immune system can mediate xenograft rejection. Here, we review these immunologic and physiologic barriers and describe some of the strategies that we and others have developed to overcome them. We also describe the development of two strategies to induce tolerance across the xenogeneic barrier, namely thymus transplantation and mixed chimerism, from their inception in rodent models through their current progress in preclinical large animal models. We believe that the addition of further beneficial transgenes to Gal knockout swine, combined with new therapies such as Treg administration, will allow for successful clinical application of xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Griesemer
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
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Boksa M, Zeyland J, Słomski R, Lipiński D. Immune modulation in xenotransplantation. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2014; 63:181-92. [PMID: 25354539 PMCID: PMC4429136 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-014-0317-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The use of animals as donors of tissues and organs for xenotransplantations may help in meeting the increasing demand for organs for human transplantations. Clinical studies indicate that the domestic pig best satisfies the criteria of organ suitability for xenotransplantation. However, the considerable phylogenetic distance between humans and the pig causes tremendous immunological problems after transplantation, thus genetic modifications need to be introduced to the porcine genome, with the aim of reducing xenotransplant immunogenicity. Advances in genetic engineering have facilitated the incorporation of human genes regulating the complement into the porcine genome, knockout of the gene encoding the formation of the Gal antigen (α1,3-galactosyltransferase) or modification of surface proteins in donor cells. The next step is two-fold. Firstly, to inhibit processes of cell-mediated xenograft rejection, involving natural killer cells and macrophages. Secondly, to inhibit rejection caused by the incompatibility of proteins participating in the regulation of the coagulation system, which leads to a disruption of the equilibrium in pro- and anti-coagulant activity. Only a simultaneous incorporation of several gene constructs will make it possible to produce multitransgenic animals whose organs, when transplanted to human recipients, would be resistant to hyperacute and delayed xenograft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Boksa
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632, Poznań, Poland,
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De Salvatore S, Segreto A, Chiusaroli A, Congiu S, Bizzarri F. Role of xenotransplantation in cardiac transplantation. J Card Surg 2014; 30:111-6. [PMID: 25345720 DOI: 10.1111/jocs.12454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
This review will discuss the history and development of the field of genetic modification, up to the most recent scientific discoveries, and will also consider the current uses of genetic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio De Salvatore
- Department of Science and Medical-Surgical Biotechnologies, Cardiac Surgery Unit, Universita' degli Studi di Roma "Sapienza", Latina, Italy
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Salvatori M, Peloso A, Katari R, Soker S, Lerut JP, Stratta RJ, Orlando G. Semi-xenotransplantation: the regenerative medicine-based approach to immunosuppression-free transplantation and to meet the organ demand. Xenotransplantation 2014; 22:1-6. [PMID: 25041180 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Although xenografts have always held immeasurable potential as an inexhaustible source of donor organs, immunological barriers and physiological incompatibility have proved to be formidable obstacles to clinical utility. An exciting, new regenerative medicine-based approach termed "semi-xenotransplantation" (SX) seeks to overcome these obstacles by combining the availability and reproducibility of animal organs with the biocompatibility and functionality of human allografts. Compared to conventional xenotransplantation wherein the whole organ is animal-derived, SX grafts are cleansed of their antigenic cellular compartment to produce whole-organ extracellular matrix scaffolds that retain their innate structure and vascular channels. These scaffolds are then repopulated with recipient or donor human stem cells to generate biocompatible semi-xenografts with the structure and function of native human organs. While numerous hurdles must be still overcome in order for SX to become a viable treatment option for end-stage organ failure, the immense potential of SX for meeting the urgent needs for a new source of organs and immunosuppression-free transplantation justifies the interest that the transplant community is committing to the field.
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20
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Ko N, Lee JW, Hwang SS, Kim B, Ock SA, Lee SS, Im GS, Kang MJ, Park JK, Oh SJ, Oh KB. Nucleofection-mediated α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene inactivation and membrane cofactor protein expression for pig-to-primate xenotransplantation. Anim Biotechnol 2014; 24:253-67. [PMID: 23947662 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2012.752741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Xenotransplantation of pig organs into primates leads to hyperacute rejection (HAR). Functional ablation of the pig α 1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) gene, which abrogates expression of the Gal α 1-3Gal β 1-4GlcNAc-R (Gal) antigen, which inhibits HAR. However, antigens other than Gal may induce immunological rejection by their cognate antibody responses. Ultimately, overexpression of complement regulatory proteins reduces acute humoral rejection by non-Gal antibodies when GalT is ablated. In this study, we developed a vector-based strategy for ablation of GalT function and concurrent expression of membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46). We constructed an MCP expression cassette (designated as MCP-IRESneo) and inserted between the left and the right homologous arms to target exon 9 of the GalT gene. Nucleofection of porcine ear skin fibroblasts using the U-023 and V-013 programs resulted in high transfection efficiency and cell survival. We identified 28 clones in which the MCP-IRESneo vector had been successfully targeted to exon 9 of the GalT gene. Two of those clones, with apparent morphologically mitotic fibroblast features were selected through long-term culture. GalT gene expression was downregulated in these 2 clones. Importantly, MCP was shown to be efficiently expressed at the cell surface and to efficiently protect cell lysis against normal human complement serum attack in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayoung Ko
- a Animal Biotechnology Division , National Institute of Animal Science , RDA , Suwon , South Korea
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Petersen B, Ramackers W, Lucas-Hahn A, Lemme E, Hassel P, Queisser AL, Herrmann D, Barg-Kues B, Carnwath JW, Klose J, Tiede A, Friedrich L, Baars W, Schwinzer R, Winkler M, Niemann H. Transgenic expression of human heme oxygenase-1 in pigs confers resistance against xenograft rejection during ex vivo perfusion of porcine kidneys. Xenotransplantation 2012; 18:355-68. [PMID: 22168142 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3089.2011.00674.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The major immunological hurdle to successful porcine-to-human xenotransplantation is the acute vascular rejection (AVR), characterized by endothelial cell (EC) activation and perturbation of coagulation. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and its derivatives have anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory effects and protect against reactive oxygen species, rendering HO-1 a promising molecule to control AVR. Here, we report the production and characterization of pigs transgenic for human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) and demonstrate significant protection in porcine kidneys against xenograft rejection in ex vivo perfusion with human blood and transgenic porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) in a TNF-α-mediated apoptosis assay. METHODS Transgenic and non-transgenic PAEC were tested in a TNF-α-mediated apoptosis assay. Expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin) was measured by real-time PCR. hHO-1 transgenic porcine kidneys were perfused with pooled and diluted human AB blood in an ex vivo perfusion circuit. MHC class-II up-regulation after induction with IFN-γ was compared between wild-type and hHO-1 transgenic PAEC. RESULTS Cloned hHO-1 transgenic pigs expressed hHO-1 in heart, kidney, liver, and in cultured ECs and fibroblasts. hHO-1 transgenic PAEC were protected against TNF-α-mediated apoptosis. Real-time PCR revealed reduced expression of adhesion molecules like ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin. These effects could be abrogated by the incubation of transgenic PAECs with the specific HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphorine IX (Zn(II)PPIX, 20 μm). IFN-γ induced up-regulation of MHC class-II molecules was significantly reduced in PAECs from hHO-1 transgenic pigs. hHO-1 transgenic porcine kidneys could successfully be perfused with diluted human AB-pooled blood for a maximum of 240 min (with and without C1 inh), while in wild-type kidneys, blood flow ceased after ∼60 min. Elevated levels of d-Dimer and TAT were detected, but no significant consumption of fibrinogen and antithrombin was determined. Microthrombi could not be detected histologically. CONCLUSIONS These results are encouraging and warrant further studies on the biological function of heme oxygenase-I expression in hHO-1 transgenic pigs in the context of xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Petersen
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Neustadt, Germany
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Denner J, Tönjes RR. Infection barriers to successful xenotransplantation focusing on porcine endogenous retroviruses. Clin Microbiol Rev 2012; 25:318-43. [PMID: 22491774 PMCID: PMC3346299 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.05011-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Xenotransplantation may be a solution to overcome the shortage of organs for the treatment of patients with organ failure, but it may be associated with the transmission of porcine microorganisms and the development of xenozoonoses. Whereas most microorganisms may be eliminated by pathogen-free breeding of the donor animals, porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) cannot be eliminated, since these are integrated into the genomes of all pigs. Human-tropic PERV-A and -B are present in all pigs and are able to infect human cells. Infection of ecotropic PERV-C is limited to pig cells. PERVs may adapt to host cells by varying the number of LTR-binding transcription factor binding sites. Like all retroviruses, they may induce tumors and/or immunodeficiencies. To date, all experimental, preclinical, and clinical xenotransplantations using pig cells, tissues, and organs have not shown transmission of PERV. Highly sensitive and specific methods have been developed to analyze the PERV status of donor pigs and to monitor recipients for PERV infection. Strategies have been developed to prevent PERV transmission, including selection of PERV-C-negative, low-producer pigs, generation of an effective vaccine, selection of effective antiretrovirals, and generation of animals transgenic for a PERV-specific short hairpin RNA inhibiting PERV expression by RNA interference.
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Ryu JM, Yoon W, Park JH, Yun SP, Jang MW, Han HJ. Multidetector computed tomographic angiography evaluation of micropig major systemic vessels for xenotransplantation. J Vet Sci 2011; 12:209-14. [PMID: 21897092 PMCID: PMC3165148 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2011.12.3.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Due primarily to the increasing shortage of allogeneic donor organs, xenotransplantation has become the focus of a growing field of research. Currently, micropigs are the most suitable donor animal for humans. However, no standard method has been developed to evaluate the systemic vascular anatomy of micropigs and standard reference values to aid in the selection of normal healthy animals as potential organ donors are lacking. Using 64-channel multidetector row computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA), we evaluated morphological features of the major systemic vessels in micropigs and compared our results to published human data. The main vasculature of the animals was similar to that of humans, except for the iliac arterial system. However, diameters of the major systemic vessels were significantly different between micropigs and humans. Specifically, the diameter of the aortic arch, abdominal aorta, external iliac artery, and femoral artery, were measured as 1.50 ± 0.07 cm, 0.85 ± 0.06 cm, 0.52 ± 0.05 cm, and 0.48 ± 0.05 cm, respectively, in the micropigs. This MDCTA data for micropig major systemic vessels can be used as standard reference values for xenotransplantation studies. The use of 64-channel MDCTA enables accurate evaluation of the major systemic vasculature in micropigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Min Ryu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Biotherapy Human Resources Center, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Korea
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Cho B, Koo OJ, Hwang JI, Kim H, Lee EM, Hurh S, Park SJ, Ro H, Yang J, Surh CD, d'Apice AJ, Lee BC, Ahn C. Generation of Soluble Human Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Receptor 1-Fc Transgenic Pig. Transplantation 2011; 92:139-47. [DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3182215e7e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Efficient generation of a biallelic knockout in pigs using zinc-finger nucleases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:12013-7. [PMID: 21730124 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1106422108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) are powerful tools for producing gene knockouts (KOs) with high efficiency. Whereas ZFN-mediated gene disruption has been demonstrated in laboratory animals such as mice, rats, and fruit flies, ZFNs have not been used to disrupt an endogenous gene in any large domestic species. Here we used ZFNs to induce a biallelic knockout of the porcine α1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene. Primary porcine fibroblasts were treated with ZFNs designed against the region coding for the catalytic core of GGTA1, resulting in biallelic knockout of ∼1% of ZFN-treated cells. A galactose (Gal) epitope counter-selected population of these cells was used in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Of the resulting six fetuses, all completely lacked Gal epitopes and were phenotypically indistinguishable from the starting donor cell population, illustrating that ZFN-mediated genetic modification did not interfere with the cloning process. Neither off-target cleavage events nor integration of the ZFN-coding plasmid was detected. The GGTA1-KO phenotype was confirmed by a complement lysis assay that demonstrated protection of GGTA1-KO fibroblasts relative to wild-type cells. Cells from GGTA1-KO fetuses and pooled, transfected cells were used to produce live offspring via SCNT. This study reports the production of cloned pigs carrying a biallelic ZFN-induced knockout of an endogenous gene. These findings open a unique avenue toward the creation of gene KO pigs, which could benefit both agriculture and biomedicine.
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Bush EL, Barbas AS, Holzknecht ZE, Byrne GW, McGregor CG, Parker W, Davis RD, Lin SS. Coagulopathy in α-galactosyl transferase knockout pulmonary xenotransplants. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18:6-13. [PMID: 21342283 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3089.2011.00621.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND After substantial progress on many fronts, one of the remaining barriers still opposing the clinical application of xenotransplantation is a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) that is observed in the pre-clinical model of porcine-to-primate transplantation. The onset of DIC is particularly rapid in recipients of pulmonary xenografts, usually occurring within the first days or even hours of reperfusion. METHODS In this study, we describe the results of two porcine-to-baboon transplants utilizing porcine lungs depleted of macrophages, deficient in the α-1,3-galactosyltransferase gene, and with the expression of human decay-accelerating factor, a complement regulatory protein. RESULTS In both cases, evidence of DIC was observed within 48 h of reperfusion, with thrombocytopenia and increases in levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex evident in both cases. Depletion of fibrinogen was observed in one graft, whereas elevation of D-dimer levels was observed in the other. One graft, which showed focal lymphocytic infiltrates pre-operatively, failed within 3 h. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that further efforts to address the coagulopathy associated with pulmonary xenotransplantation are needed. Further, evidence suggests that resident porcine immune cells can play an important role in the coagulopathy associated with xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Errol L Bush
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Transgenic pigs for xenotransplantation: selection of promoter sequences for reliable transgene expression. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2010; 15:201-6. [PMID: 20061949 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0b013e328336ba4a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Appropriate expression of immunomodulatory and anticoagulant proteins on endothelial cells is essential to prevent rejection of vascularized porcine organs after transplantation into primates. Here, we review the promoter sequences used for the establishment of transgenic pigs, as organ donors for xenotransplantation. RECENT FINDINGS Transgenic pigs were produced using viral, chicken, mouse, human, and porcine promoter sequences with ubiquitous or cell type-specific activity. In addition to the expression of human complement regulatory proteins, which were efficient to prevent hyperacute rejection of pig-to-primate xenografts, novel transgenes, targeting cellular rejection mechanisms, abnormal-blood coagulation, or the risk of viral transmission, have been published or announced in preliminary reports. SUMMARY Accurate spatiotemporal expression of immunomodulatory and anticoagulant proteins on the endothelial cells of transgenic pigs is required for the successful xenotransplantation of vascularized organs into primates. Targeting transgene expression specifically to the cells critical for xenograft rejection may eliminate potential side effects of ubiquitous expression. Comparison of regulatory sequences from various species indicates that carefully selected porcine promoter sequences may be beneficial to achieve this aim.
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Schmoeckel M. Xenotransplantation: die ewige Zukunft der Herztransplantation? ZEITSCHRIFT FUR HERZ THORAX UND GEFASSCHIRURGIE 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00398-009-0765-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Klymiuk N, Aigner B, Brem G, Wolf E. Genetic modification of pigs as organ donors for xenotransplantation. Mol Reprod Dev 2009; 77:209-21. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Petersen B, Ramackers W, Tiede A, Lucas-Hahn A, Herrmann D, Barg-Kues B, Schuettler W, Friedrich L, Schwinzer R, Winkler M, Niemann H. Pigs transgenic for human thrombomodulin have elevated production of activated protein C. Xenotransplantation 2009; 16:486-95. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3089.2009.00537.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Kim SS, Byun HJ, Kim SH, Lee HH, Lee SJ, Kim SJ, Park CG, Chun T. Soluble pig lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3; CD223) inhibits human-to-pig xenogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Biotechnol Lett 2009; 32:203-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-009-0144-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2009] [Revised: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 09/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Park CG, Kim JS, Shin JS, Kim YH, Kim SJ. Current Status and Future Perspectives of Xenotransplantation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.4285/jkstn.2009.23.3.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Gyu Park
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Transplantation Research Institute SNUMRC, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute and TIMRC, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Sik Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Transplantation Research Institute SNUMRC, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute and TIMRC, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun-Seop Shin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Transplantation Research Institute SNUMRC, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute and TIMRC, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Hee Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Transplantation Research Institute SNUMRC, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute and TIMRC, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang-Joon Kim
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Ekser B, Rigotti P, Gridelli B, Cooper DKC. Xenotransplantation of solid organs in the pig-to-primate model. Transpl Immunol 2008; 21:87-92. [PMID: 18955143 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2008.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2008] [Accepted: 10/09/2008] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Xenotransplantation using pig organs could solve the significant increasing shortage of donor organs for allotransplantation. In the last two decades, major progress has been made in understanding the xenoimmunobiology of pig-to-nonhuman primate transplantation, and today we are close to clinical trials. The ability to genetically engineer pigs, such as human decay-accelerating factor (hDAF), CD46 (membrane cofactor protein), or alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout (GT-KO), has been a significant step toward the clinical application of xenotransplantation. Using GT-KO pigs and novel immunosuppressant agents, 2 to 6 months' survival of heterotopic heart xenotransplants has been achieved. In life-supporting kidney xenotransplantation, promising survival of close to 3 months has been achieved. However, liver and lung xenotransplantations do not have such encouraging survival as kidney and heart xenotransplantation. Although the introduction of hDAF and GT-KO pigs largely overcame hyperacute rejection, acute humoral xenograft rejection (AHXR) remains a challenge to be overcome if survival is to be increased. In several studies, when classical AHXR was prevented, thrombotic microangiopathy and coagulation dysregulation became more obvious, which make them another hurdle to be overcome. The initiating cause of failure of pig cardiac and renal xenografts may be antibody-mediated injury to the endothelium, leading to the development of microvascular thrombosis. Potential contributing factors toward the development of the thrombotic microangiopathy include: 1) the presence of preformed anti-non-Gal antibodies, 2) the development of very low levels of elicited antibodies to non-Gal antigens, 3) natural killer cell or macrophage activity, and 4) inherent coagulation dysregulation between pigs and primates. The breeding of pigs transgenic for an 'anticoagulant' or 'anti-thrombotic' gene, such as human tissue factor pathway inhibitor, hirudin, or CD39, or lacking the gene for the prothrombinase, fibrinogen-like protein-2, is anticipated to inhibit the change in the endothelium to a procoagulant state that takes place in the pig organ after transplantation. A further limitation for organ xenotransplantation is the potential for cross-species infection. As far as exogenous viruses are concerned, porcine cytomegalovirus has been detected in the tissues of recipient non-human primates, although no invasive disease was reported. Until today, no formal evidence has been presented from in vivo studies in non-human primates or from humans exposed to pig organs, tissues, or cells that porcine endogenous retroviruses infect primate cells. Xenotransplantation is a potential answer to the current organ shortage. Its future depends on; 1) further genetic modification of pigs, 2) the introduction of novel immunosuppressive agents that target the innate immune system and plasma cells, and 3) the development of clinically-applicable methods to induce donor-specific tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcin Ekser
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Ramackers W, Friedrich L, Tiede A, Bergmann S, Schuettler W, Schuerholz T, Mengel M, Goudeva L, Ganser A, Klempnauer J, Piepenbrock S, Winkler M. Effects of pharmacological intervention on coagulopathy and organ function in xenoperfused kidneys. Xenotransplantation 2008; 15:46-55. [PMID: 18333913 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3089.2008.00443.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following pig to primate kidney transplantation, xenogenic activation of the coagulation (XAC) system of the recipient eventually leading to organ dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) can be observed. METHODS Using an ex-vivo perfusion circuit based on low-dose heparin-mediated anticoagulation and exogenous complement inhibition by C1- Inhibitor (C1-Inh), we have analysed XAC following contact of human blood with porcine endothelium. Porcine kidneys (n = 23) were recovered following in situ cold perfusion with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution and were connected to a perfusion circuit utilizing freshly drawn pooled human AB blood. RESULTS Kidney survival during organ perfusion with human blood, CI-Inh, heparin but without any further pharmacological intervention was 126 +/- 78 min. XAC was observed with significantly elevated levels of D-dimer and thrombin antithrombin complexes (TAT). Pharmacological intervention with nitroprusside and prostacycline resulted in increased organ survival (220 +/- 28 min and 180 +/- 85 min respectively) but failed to inhibit XAC. In contrast, addition of activated protein C (APC) significantly reduced the increase in D-dimer and TAT and prolonged organ survival to 240 min (+/-0). On histology, no remarkable signs of XAC were observed. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that exogenous APC is able to reduce XAC in this ex vivo perfusion model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolf Ramackers
- Klinik für Sllgemein-, Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Abstract
Xenotransplantation holds promise to solve the ever increasing shortage of donor organs for allotransplantation. In the last 2 decades, major progress has been made in understanding the immunobiology of pig-into-(non)human primate transplantation and today we are on the threshold of the first clinical trials. Hyperacute rejection, which is mediated by pre-existing anti-alpha Gal xenoreactive antibodies, can in non-human primates be overcome by complement- and/or antibody-modifying interventions. A major step forward was the development of genetically engineered pigs, either transgenic for human complement regulatory proteins or deficient in the alpha1,3-galactosyltranferase enzyme. However, several other immunologic and nonimmunologic hurdles remain. Acute vascular xenograft rejection is mediated by humoral and cellular mechanisms. Elicited xenoreactive antibodies play a key role. In addition to providing B cell help, xenoreactive T cells may directly contribute to xenograft rejection. Long-term survival of porcine kidney- and heart xenografts in non-human primates has been obtained but required severe T and B cell immunosuppression. Induction of xenotolerance, e.g. through mixed hematopoietic chimerism, may represent the preferred approach, but although proof of principle has been delivered in rodents, induction of pig-to-non-human primate chimerism remains problematic. Finally, it is now clear that innate immune cells, in particular macrophages and natural killer cells, can mediate xenograft destruction, the determinants of which are being elucidated. Chronic xenograft rejection is not well understood, but recent studies indicate that non-immunological problems, such as incompatibilities between human procoagulant and pig anticoagulant components may play an important role. Here, we give a comprehensive overview of the currently known obstacles to xenografting: immune and non-immune problems are discussed, as well as the possible strategies that are under development to overcome these hurdles.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Sprangers
- Laboratory of Experimental Transplantation, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Petersen B, Carnwath JW, Niemann H. The perspectives for porcine-to-human xenografts. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2008; 32:91-105. [PMID: 18280567 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2007.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The shortage of donated human organs for transplantation continues to be a life threatening problem for patients suffering from complete organ failure. Although this gap is increasing due to the demographic changes in aging Western populations, it is generally accepted that international trading in human organ is not an ethical solution. Alternatives to the use of human organs for transplantation must be developed and these alternatives include stem cell therapy, artificial organs and organs from other species, i.e. xenografts. For practical reasons but most importantly because of its physiological similarity with humans, the pig is generally accepted as the species of choice for xenotransplantation. Nevertheless, before porcine organs can be used in human xenotransplantation, it is necessary to make a series of precise genetic modifications to the porcine genome, including the addition of genes for factors which suppress the rejection of transplanted porcine tissues and the inactivation or removal of undesirable genes which can only be accomplished at this time by targeted recombination and somatic nuclear transfer. This review will give an insight into the advances in transgenic manipulation and cloning in pigs--in the context of porcine-to-human xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjoern Petersen
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics (FLI), Department of Biotechnology, Hoeltystrasse 10, 31535 Neustadt, Germany
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Brandl U, Michel S, Erhardt M, Brenner P, Burdorf L, Jöckle H, Bittmann I, Rössle M, Mordstein V, Baschnegger H, Bauer A, Hammer C, Reichart B, Schmoeckel M. Transgenic animals in experimental xenotransplantation models: orthotopic heart transplantation in the pig-to-baboon model. Transplant Proc 2007; 39:577-8. [PMID: 17362786 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2006.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Pig organs are at risk for hyperacute and acute vascular rejection mediated by anti-pig antibodies, mainly binding to the Galalpha(1,3)Gal epitope. Acute cellular rejection is characterized by progressive infiltration of mononuclear cells. There is an ongoing search for immunosuppressive regimens that provide adequate protection against all patterns of xenograft rejection, but have no severe impact on the condition of xenograft recipients. Herein orthotopic heart transplantations were performed from hDAF or hCD46 piglets to nonsplenectomized baboons. Basic immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus, sirolimus, GAS914, steroids, and ATG. Group 1 received basic immunosuppression. Group 2 was additionally treated with rituximab and group 3 with half-dose cyclophosphamide. Group 4 received cyclophosphamide and an anti-HLA-DR antibody. Three baboons received GAS914 and TPC. Monitoring included the regular assessment of anti-porcine antibodies, blood counts, therapeutic drug monitoring, and graft histology. Two grafts failed due to technical mistakes. In group 1, baboons died after 1 and 9 days. In group 2, maximum survival was 30 hours. In group 3, baboons lived 20 hours, 25 days, and 14 days. Group 4 survival times were 9.5 hours, 5.5 hours, 4 days, 34 hours, and 3 days. An increase of non-Galalpha(1,3)Gal antibodies was observed. Depositions of immunoglobulins and complement revealed a humoral rejection process. No cellular infiltration could be observed. In conclusion, suppressing cellular rejection with half-dose cyclophosphamide together with tacrolimus and sirolimus produced longer graft survival with a good general condition. Prevention of acute xenograft rejection further needs inhibition of non-Galalpha(1,3)Gal cytotoxicity by sufficient depression of B-cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Brandl
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Institute for Surgical Research, Clinic for Anaesthesiology, and the Institute for Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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39
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Deppenmeier S, Bock O, Mengel M, Niemann H, Kues W, Lemme E, Wirth D, Wonigeit K, Kreipe H. Health status of transgenic pigs expressing the human complement regulatory protein CD59. Xenotransplantation 2006; 13:345-56. [PMID: 16768728 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3089.2006.00317.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microinjection of foreign DNA into pronuclei of zygotes has been the method of choice for the production of transgenic domestic animals. Following microinjection the transgene is randomly integrated into the host genome which can be associated with insertional mutagenesis and unwanted pathological side effects. METHODS Here, we evaluated the health status of pigs transgenic for the human regulator of complement activation (RCA) CD59 and conducted a complete pathomorphological examination on 19 RCA transgenic pigs at 1 to 32 months of age from nine transgenic lines. Nine wild-type animals served as controls. Expression levels of human complement regulator CD59 (hCD59) mRNA were measured by RT-PCR and distribution of hCD59 protein was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Albeit variable transgene expression levels, no specific pathomorphologic phenotype associated with the presence of the transgene in all analyzed pig lines could be detected. CONCLUSIONS Transgenic expression of this human RCA gene construct is not correlated with a specific pathological phenotype in pigs. This is crucial for the application of the technology and the use of transgenic pigs for biomedical and agricultural applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Deppenmeier
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Kues WA, Schwinzer R, Wirth D, Verhoeyen E, Lemme E, Herrmann D, Barg-Kues B, Hauser H, Wonigeit K, Niemann H. Epigenetic silencing and tissue independent expression of a novel tetracycline inducible system in double‐transgenic pigs. FASEB J 2006; 20:1200-2. [PMID: 16684801 DOI: 10.1096/fj.05-5415fje] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The applicability of tightly regulated transgenesis in domesticated animals is severely hampered by the present lack of knowledge of regulatory mechanisms and the long generation intervals. To capitalize on the tightly controlled expression of mammalian genes made possible by using prokaryotic control elements, we have used a single-step transduction to introduce an autoregulative tetracycline-responsive bicistronic expression cassette (NTA) into transgenic pigs. Transgenic pigs carrying one NTA cassette showed a mosaic transgene expression restricted to single muscle fibers. In contrast, crossbred animals carrying two NTA cassettes with different transgenes, revealed a broad tissue-independent and tightly regulated expression of one cassette, but not of the other one. The expression pattern correlated inversely with the methylation status of the NTA transcription start sites indicating epigenetic silencing of one NTA cassette. This first approach on tetracycline regulated transgene expression in farm animals will be valuable for developing precisely controlled expression systems for transgenes in large animals relevant for biomedical and agricultural biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfried A Kues
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute for Animal Breeding (FAL), Mariensee, Germany
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Pöling J, Oezkur M, Kogge K, Mengel M, Niemann H, Winkler M, Haverich A, Wiebe K. Hyperacute rejection in ex vivo-perfused porcine lungs transgenic for human complement regulatory proteins. Transpl Int 2006; 19:225-32. [PMID: 16441772 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2006.00267.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of complement activation via human membrane-associated complement regulators is known to prevent hyperacute rejection in heart and kidney pig-to-primate transplantation. The protective effect of such strategies in pulmonary xenografts, however, seems to be insufficient. In an ex vivo perfusion, model lungs from donor pigs transgenic for human CD55 (n = 6) or human CD59 (n = 5) were perfused with fresh human blood and compared with nontransgenic organs (n = 6). In addition, a soluble complement component 1 esterase inhibitor (C1-Inh) was applied in h-CD55 transgenic lungs (n = 3). In the h-CD55 transgenic group, survival was prolonged (P < 0.05), quality and maximal time of oxygenation significantly improved and pulmonary vascular resistance reduced compared with the control group. There was a decreased sequestration of platelets, less parenchymal injury and reduced deposition of C(5b-9) in the h-CD55 transgenic group. Additional soluble complement inhibition (C1-Inh) did not prolong survival of h-CD55 transgenic lungs. Survival and pulmonary function in lungs expressing h-CD59 was not significantly different from parameters observed in nontransgenic lungs. In this ex vivo model of pig-to-primate lung transplantation, membrane-based complement inhibition resulted in significantly improved pulmonary function. However, minor histopathological injuries observed in these transgenic xenografts suggested only partial protection from pulmonary dysfunction by complement inhibition alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Pöling
- Klinik für Herz-,Thorax- und Gefäbchirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Klose R, Kemter E, Bedke T, Bittmann I, Kelsser B, Endres R, Pfeffer K, Schwinzer R, Wolf E. Expression of Biologically Active Human TRAIL in Transgenic Pigs. Transplantation 2005; 80:222-30. [PMID: 16041267 DOI: 10.1097/01.tp.0000164817.59006.c2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Xenotransplantation of porcine organs into human recipients is a potential option for overcoming the dramatic shortage of suitable donor organs. To date, transgenic modification of pig organs has achieved partial or temporal reduction of xenograft rejection by inhibition of hyperacute rejection. Expression of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in transgenic pigs might be a strategy for controlling posthyperacute rejection mechanisms mediated by cellular components of the immune system. The objective of this study was generation of a transgenic pig model to evaluate the potential of this strategy for xenotransplantation. METHODS Transgenic pigs were generated by microinjection of an expression vector for human TRAIL under control of the murine H-2K promoter. Expression of the transgene was analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Biologic activity of TRAIL on transgenic porcine lymphocytes was evaluated in co-culture experiments using Jurkat and Hut 78.2 cells as targets. RESULTS In three lines of transgenic pigs, human TRAIL protein was detected in the membrane fractions of various tissues. Highest expression levels were observed in spleen and lung. Human TRAIL expression on porcine lymphocytes was augmented on activation of cells. Transgenic pig lymphoblasts induced apoptosis in Jurkat and Hut 78.2 cells, which was inhibited by neutralizing anti-TRAIL antibodies, demonstrating a TRAIL-specific effect. CONCLUSIONS Ubiquitous expression of human TRAIL was achieved in transgenic pigs without detrimental side effects. Pigs expressing biologically active human TRAIL will be used for future xenotransplantation experiments to modulate primate anti-pig cellular immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Klose
- Lehrstuhl für Molekulare Tierzucht und Biotechnologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany
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Winkler ME, Winkler M, Burian R, Hecker J, Loss M, Przemeck M, Lorenz R, Patience C, Karlas A, Sommer S, Denner J, Martin U. Analysis of pig-to-human porcine endogenous retrovirus transmission in a triple-species kidney xenotransplantation model. Transpl Int 2005; 17:848-58. [PMID: 15864489 DOI: 10.1007/s00147-005-0808-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2003] [Revised: 12/01/2003] [Accepted: 05/04/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Clinical pig-to-human xenotransplantation might be associated with the risk of transmission of xenozoonoses, especially porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs). We have established a pig-to-humanised-cynomolgus monkey xenotransplantation model allowing the analysis of potential PERV-transmission from normal or transgenic porcine organs to human vascular tissue. Pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation was performed in cynomolgus monkeys. An interposition graft constructed from a human saphena vein replaced the porcine kidney vein. After graft rejection and/or death of the recipient (survival 2, 4, 6, 13, 16, 19 days), the human interposition grafts were removed. Human endothelial cells (huECs) were isolated from the interposition grafts and cultivated in vitro. Explanted human vascular tissue, isolated huECs, plasma and serum samples of the graft recipients were characterised by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry and screened for indications of PERV transmission by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RT assay. PERV-specific immune response of recipients was analysed by Western blot. No evidence of PERV infection or PERV-specific immune response was detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica E Winkler
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover, Germany.
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Lam TT, Hausen B, Hook L, Lau M, Higgins J, Christians U, Jacobsen W, Baluom M, Duthaler R, Katopodis A, Chavez G, Cozzi E, Harrison R, Schuurman HJ, Borie D, Morris RE. The effect of soluble complement receptor type 1 on acute humoral xenograft rejection in hDAF-transgenic pig-to-primate life-supporting kidney xenografts. Xenotransplantation 2005; 12:20-9. [PMID: 15598270 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3089.2004.00184.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In pig-to-nonhuman primate solid organ xenotransplantation using organs from donors transgenic for human decay-accelerating factor (hDAF), the main type of rejection is antibody-mediated (acute humoral xenograft rejection, AHXR). This occurs despite the complement-regulatory function of the transgene, neutralization of natural antibodies to Galalpha1-3Gal (Gal) using soluble glycoconjugates, and chronic immunosuppression. As complement components play a major role in graft destruction after antibody binding, we evaluated the efficacy of chronic complement inhibition by soluble complement receptor type 1 (TP10). METHODS Life-supporting hDAF-transgenic kidney transplantation was performed in cynomolgus monkeys, using cyclophosphamide induction, and maintenance immunosuppression with cyclosporin A, mycophenolate sodium, and tapering steroids. Rejection was treated with bolus steroid injections: if not successful animals were terminated. Three groups were studied: in group 1 (n=4) GAS914 (a soluble glycoconjugate comprising Gal on a poly-L-lysine backbone) was added before and after transplantation; group 2 (n=2) received GAS914 as in group 1 and in addition TP10 before and after transplantation; in group 3 (n=4) GAS914 was only given before transplantation and TP10 as in group 2. Monitoring included the regular assessment of anti-porcine antibodies, complement activity (soluble C5b-9), therapeutic drug monitoring, and graft histology. RESULTS Survival in group 1 was 6, 12, 31 and 37 days, respectively, and in all four cases graft histology showed AHXR. The two animals in groups 2 survived 3 and 15 days, respectively, and similarly showed AHXR in graft histology. In group 3 two animals showed AHXR (10 and 37 days survival, respectively), and two others did not show AHXR (20 and 32 days survival, respectively). The diagnosis AHXR included the deposition of complement activation products in the graft, which were present at lower intensity in animals treated with TP10. In all animals GAS914 effectively neutralized circulating anti-Gal antibody. Antibodies were detectable in the circulation of all animals using porcine erythrocytes in a hemolytic assay, although at lower levels than before transplantation. Soluble C5b-9 was not detectable in the circulation of animals receiving TP10, and circulating TP10 concentrations in these animals were in a presumed pharmacologically active range. CONCLUSIONS The inclusion of TP10 in the immunosuppressive protocol does not clearly lead to improved xenograft survival. Despite effective neutralization of anti-Gal antibodies and effective inhibition of systemic complement activity, AHXR was apparent in four of six animals under chronic TP10 treatment, including deposits of complement activation products in the graft. Apparently, effective systemic complement inhibition by TP10 in combination with local complement regulation by the hDAF transgene product does not necessarily result in effective inhibition of complement activation at locations in the xenograft upon binding of anti-porcine antibodies to the grafted endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan T Lam
- Transplantation Immunology, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5407, USA
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Winkler ME, Winkler M, Burian R, Hecker J, Loss M, Przemeck M, Lorenz R, Patience C, Karlas A, Sommer S, Denner J, Martin U. Analysis of pig-to-human porcine endogenous retrovirus transmission in a triple-species kidney xenotransplantation model. Transpl Int 2004. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2004.tb00520.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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46
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Lam TT, Hausen B, Boeke-Purkis K, Paniagua R, Lau M, Hook L, Berry G, Higgins J, Duthaler RO, Katopodis AG, Robbins R, Reitz B, Borie D, Schuurman HJ, Morris RE. Hyperacute rejection of hDAF-transgenic pig organ xenografts in cynomolgus monkeys: influence of pre-existing anti-pig antibodies and prevention by the alphaGAL glycoconjugate GAS914. Xenotransplantation 2004; 11:517-24. [PMID: 15479461 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3089.2004.00173.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our introductory pig-to-cynomolgus monkey heart or kidney transplantation using organs from pigs transgenic for human decay-accelerating factor (hDAF), showed a high incidence of hyperacute rejection (HAR), which was ascribed to extraordinary high levels of anti-pig antibodies. We evaluated the efficacy of GAS914, a Gal alpha 1-3Gal trisaccharide linked to a poly-l-lysine backbone, in inhibition of HAR. METHODS hDAF transgenic heterotopic heart (n = 15) or life-supporting kidney (n = 8) transplantation included induction with cyclophosphamide or anti-thymocyte globulin, and maintenance with cyclosporine or tacrolimus, steroids and mycophenolate sodium/mofetil. Four doses of GAS914 were given before transplantation. Rejection was confirmed by graft histology, and anti-pig antibody levels were determined in various assays. RESULTS Four of six heart transplants without GAS914 treatment showed HAR. Nine subsequent transplants with GAS914 pre-treatment, did not show HAR (chi-square, P < 0.05). Two of four kidney transplants without GAS914 treatment ended with HAR. Four subsequent transplants with GAS914 did not show HAR. Animals with HAR showed extremely high antibody levels. Samples just before transplantation showed significantly higher antibody levels in recipients presenting with HAR. In all assays antibody levels were significantly lowered by GAS914 pre-treatment. CONCLUSIONS HAR of hDAF solid organs could be ascribed to high levels of anti-pig antibodies. It is hypothesized that the hDAF transgene shows a threshold in efficacy, above which an overwhelming attack by antibodies and complement activation cannot be modulated to prevent HAR. HAR does not occur when animals with lower levels are used, or when antibodies are effectively depleted from the circulation by GAS914 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan T Lam
- Transplantation Immunology, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5407, USA
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Alisky JM. Xenografts are an achievable breakthrough. Med Hypotheses 2004; 63:92-7. [PMID: 15193356 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2004.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2003] [Accepted: 01/12/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this communication is to show that pig-to-human organ transplantation could be feasible through genetic engineering. By introducing into donor pigs several different tolerance promoting genetic modifications there can be a synergistic effect to produce extended tolerance for xenografted organs in human recipients. Nuclear-transfer cloning allows production of pigs with knockout mutations in the galactose-alpha-1,3-galactosyl transferase gene, in principle eliminating hyperacute rejection. Once hyperacute rejection is circumvented, long-term tolerance of xenografted organs should be possible through a combination of transgenic immunomodulating molecule, bone marrow chimerism and short to intermediate term use of immunosuppressive drugs. If immunomodulating transgenes are deleterious during pig development, inducible cre-recombinase excision of stop codons provides a means to delay expression of such transgenes until after transplantation. Zoonotic diseases can be circumvented via pathogen-free colonies and additional knockout mutations to disable porcine endogenous retrovirus and prion disease. Thus, there is now a technical and theoretical framework for serious efforts at cross-species transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Martin Alisky
- Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, 1000 Oak Avenue, Marshfield, WI 54449, USA.
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Abstract
The shortage of human organs and tissues for transplantation and the advances in immunology of rejection and in genetic engineering have renewed interest in xenotransplantation--the transplantation of animal organs, tissues or cells to humans. Clinical trials have involved the use of non-human primate, porcine, and bovine cells/tissues/organs. In recent years, research has focused mainly on pigs as donors (especially, pigs genetically engineered to carry some human genes). One of the major concerns in xenotransplantation is the risk of transmission of animal pathogens, particularly viruses, to recipients and the possible adaptation of such pathogens for human-to-human transmission. Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) have been of special concern because of their ability to infect human cells and because, at present, they cannot be removed from the source animal's genome. To date, retrospective studies of humans exposed to live porcine cells/tissues have not found evidence of infection with PERV but more extensive research is needed. This article reviews infectious disease risks associated with xenotransplantation, some measures for minimizing that risk, and microbiological diagnostic methods that may be used in the follow-up of xenotransplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roumiana S Boneva
- HIV and Retrovirology Branch, Division of HIV, STD and TB Laboratory Research, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
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Abstract
Microinjection of foreign DNA into pronuclei of a fertilized oocyte has predominantly been used for the generation of transgenic livestock. This technology works reliably, but is inefficient and results in random integration and variable expression patterns in the transgenic offspring. Nevertheless, remarkable achievements have been made with this technology. By targeting expression to the mammary gland, numerous heterologous recombinant human proteins have been produced in large amounts which could be purified from milk of transgenic goats, sheep, cattle and rabbit. Products such as human anti-thrombin III, alpha-anti-trypsin and tissue plasminogen activator are currently in advanced clinical trials and are expected to be on the market within the next few years. Transgenic pigs that express human complement regulating proteins have been tested in their ability to serve as donors in human organ transplantation (i.e. xenotransplantation). In vitro and in vivo data convincingly show that the hyperacute rejection response can be overcome in a clinically acceptable manner by successful employing this strategy. It is anticipated that transgenic pigs will be available as donors for functional xenografts within a few years. Similarly, pigs may serve as donors for a variety of xenogenic cells and tissues. The recent developments in nuclear transfer and its merger with the growing genomic data allow a targeted and regulatable transgenic production. Systems for efficient homologous recombination in somatic cells are being developed and the adaptation of sophisticated molecular tools, already explored in mice, for transgenic livestock production is underway. The availability of these technologies are essential to maintain "genetic security" and to ensure absence of unwanted side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Niemann
- Department of Biotechnology, Institut für Tierzucht Mariensee, FAL, 31535 Neustadt, Germany.
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Kurihara T, Miyazawa T, Miyagawa S, Tomonaga K, Hazama K, Yamada J, Shirakura R, Matsuura Y. Sensitivity to human serum of gammaretroviruses produced from pig endothelial cells transduced with glycosyltransferase genes. Xenotransplantation 2003; 10:562-8. [PMID: 14708522 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-3089.2003.00056.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Reduction of pig cell-surface alpha-galactosyl (Gal) epitope, Galalpha1, 3Galbeta1, 4GlcNAc-R, by the introduction of glycosyltransferase genes is effective in suppressing hyperacute rejection (HAR) in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. The transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) has been recognized as a potential risk factor associated with xenotransplantation. In this study, effects of the introduction of glycosyltransferase genes to pig cells on the sensitivity of gammaretroviruses to human serum were investigated. Pig endothelial cells (PEC), PEC transduced with alpha1,2 fucosyltransferase (FT), alpha2,3 sialyltransferase (ST), or N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III), and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells were transduced with the LacZ gene with the packaging signal of murine leukemia virus (MuLV) under the control of the long terminal repeat of MuLV by a pseudotype infection. Then, the cells were further infected with PERV subtype B (PERV-B) or feline leukemia virus subgroup B (FeLV-B). Culture supernatants of the infected cells were mixed with human serum (HS) and then inoculated to HEK293 cells. The inoculated cells were histochemically stained and lacZ-positive blue foci were counted. Glycosyltransferase activity, xenoantigenicity, and alpha-Gal epitope density in the cells were measured at the time of the infection experiments. PERV-B or FeLV-B particles from the parental PEC were efficiently neutralized by HS, while those from PEC transduced with alpha1,2FT, alpha2,3ST or GnT-III were less sensitive to HS. The transduced PEC exhibited high levels of activity of the introduced glycotransferases, and expressed fewer xenoantigens and cell-surface alpha-Gal epitopes. Our results suggest that gammaretroviruses including PERVs produced by transgenic pigs, that are generally modified to reduce the cell-surface alpha-Gal epitope to overcome the HAR in xenotransplantation, are less sensitive to HS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kurihara
- Research Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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