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Grimus S, Sarangova V, Welzel PB, Ludwig B, Seissler J, Kemter E, Wolf E, Ali A. Immunoprotection Strategies in β-Cell Replacement Therapy: A Closer Look at Porcine Islet Xenotransplantation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2401385. [PMID: 38884159 PMCID: PMC11336975 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202401385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is characterized by absolute insulin deficiency primarily due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. The prevailing treatment for T1DM involves daily subcutaneous insulin injections, but a substantial proportion of patients face challenges such as severe hypoglycemic episodes and poorly controlled hyperglycemia. For T1DM patients, a more effective therapeutic option involves the replacement of β-cells through allogeneic transplantation of either the entire pancreas or isolated pancreatic islets. Unfortunately, the scarcity of transplantable human organs has led to a growing list of patients waiting for an islet transplant. One potential alternative is xenotransplantation of porcine pancreatic islets. However, due to inter-species molecular incompatibilities, porcine tissues trigger a robust immune response in humans, leading to xenograft rejection. Several promising strategies aim to overcome this challenge and enhance the long-term survival and functionality of xenogeneic islet grafts. These strategies include the use of islets derived from genetically modified pigs, immunoisolation of islets by encapsulation in biocompatible materials, and the creation of an immunomodulatory microenvironment by co-transplanting islets with accessory cells or utilizing immunomodulatory biomaterials. This review concentrates on delineating the primary obstacles in islet xenotransplantation and elucidates the fundamental principles and recent breakthroughs aimed at addressing these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Grimus
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and BiotechnologyGene Center and Department of Veterinary SciencesLMU MunichD‐81377MunichGermany
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM)LMU MunichD‐85764OberschleißheimGermany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU)LMU MunichD‐81377MunichGermany
| | - Victoria Sarangova
- Leibniz‐Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V.Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials DresdenD‐01069DresdenGermany
| | - Petra B. Welzel
- Leibniz‐Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V.Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials DresdenD‐01069DresdenGermany
| | - Barbara Ludwig
- Department of Medicine IIIUniversity Hospital Carl Gustav CarusTechnische Universität DresdenD‐01307DresdenGermany
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität DresdenD‐01307DresdenGermany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.)D‐85764NeuherbergGermany
- DFG‐Center for Regenerative Therapies DresdenTechnische Universität DresdenD‐01307DresdenGermany
| | - Jochen Seissler
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IVDiabetes Zentrum – Campus InnenstadtKlinikum der Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenD‐80336MunichGermany
| | - Elisabeth Kemter
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and BiotechnologyGene Center and Department of Veterinary SciencesLMU MunichD‐81377MunichGermany
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM)LMU MunichD‐85764OberschleißheimGermany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU)LMU MunichD‐81377MunichGermany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.)D‐85764NeuherbergGermany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and BiotechnologyGene Center and Department of Veterinary SciencesLMU MunichD‐81377MunichGermany
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM)LMU MunichD‐85764OberschleißheimGermany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU)LMU MunichD‐81377MunichGermany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.)D‐85764NeuherbergGermany
| | - Asghar Ali
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and BiotechnologyGene Center and Department of Veterinary SciencesLMU MunichD‐81377MunichGermany
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM)LMU MunichD‐85764OberschleißheimGermany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU)LMU MunichD‐81377MunichGermany
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2
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Peterson L, Yacoub MH, Ayares D, Yamada K, Eisenson D, Griffith BP, Mohiuddin MM, Eyestone W, Venter JC, Smolenski RT, Rothblatt M. Physiological basis for xenotransplantation from genetically modified pigs to humans. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:1409-1459. [PMID: 38517040 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00041.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The collective efforts of scientists over multiple decades have led to advancements in molecular and cellular biology-based technologies including genetic engineering and animal cloning that are now being harnessed to enhance the suitability of pig organs for xenotransplantation into humans. Using organs sourced from pigs with multiple gene deletions and human transgene insertions, investigators have overcome formidable immunological and physiological barriers in pig-to-nonhuman primate (NHP) xenotransplantation and achieved prolonged pig xenograft survival. These studies informed the design of Revivicor's (Revivicor Inc, Blacksburg, VA) genetically engineered pigs with 10 genetic modifications (10 GE) (including the inactivation of 4 endogenous porcine genes and insertion of 6 human transgenes), whose hearts and kidneys have now been studied in preclinical human xenotransplantation models with brain-dead recipients. Additionally, the first two clinical cases of pig-to-human heart xenotransplantation were recently performed with hearts from this 10 GE pig at the University of Maryland. Although this review focuses on xenotransplantation of hearts and kidneys, multiple organs, tissues, and cell types from genetically engineered pigs will provide much-needed therapeutic interventions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Peterson
- United Therapeutics Corporation, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
| | | | - David Ayares
- United Therapeutics Corporation, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
| | - Kazuhiko Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Daniel Eisenson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Bartley P Griffith
- University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | | | - Willard Eyestone
- United Therapeutics Corporation, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
| | - J Craig Venter
- J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States
| | | | - Martine Rothblatt
- United Therapeutics Corporation, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
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3
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Ali A, Kemter E, Wolf E. Advances in Organ and Tissue Xenotransplantation. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2024; 12:369-390. [PMID: 37906838 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-021122-102606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
End-stage organ failure can result from various preexisting conditions and occurs in patients of all ages, and organ transplantation remains its only treatment. In recent years, extensive research has been done to explore the possibility of transplanting animal organs into humans, a process referred to as xenotransplantation. Due to their matching organ sizes and other anatomical and physiological similarities with humans, pigs are the preferred organ donor species. Organ rejection due to host immune response and possible interspecies infectious pathogen transmission have been the biggest hurdles to xenotransplantation's success. Use of genetically engineered pigs as tissue and organ donors for xenotransplantation has helped to address these hurdles. Although several preclinical trials have been conducted in nonhuman primates, some barriers still exist and demand further efforts. This review focuses on the recent advances and remaining challenges in organ and tissue xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asghar Ali
- Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; , ,
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kemter
- Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; , ,
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; , ,
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Schmalkuche K, Rother T, Besli S, Schwinzer R, Blasczyk R, Petersen B, Figueiredo C. Human PD-L1 overexpression decreases xenogeneic human T-cell immune responses towards porcine kidneys. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1279050. [PMID: 38352884 PMCID: PMC10861674 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1279050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Xenotransplantation offers a promising alternative to circumvent the lack of donated human organs available for transplantation. Different attempts to improve the survival of xenografts led to the generation of transgenic pigs expressing various combinations of human protective genes or knocked out for specific antigens. Currently, testing the efficiency of porcine organs carrying different genetic modifications in preventing xenogeneic immune responses completely relies on in vitro assays, humanized mouse models, or non-human primate transplantation models. However, these tests are often associated with major concerns due to reproducibility and generation of insufficient data as well as they raise ethical, logistical, and economic issues. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of specifically assessing the strength of human T-cell responses towards the kidneys of wild-type (WT) or transgenic pigs overexpressing human programmed death-1 ligand 1 (hPD-L1) during ex vivo kidney perfusion (EVKP). Human T cells were shown to adhere to the endothelium and transmigrate into WT and hPD-L1 kidneys. However, transcript levels of TNF-a and IFN-y as well as cytotoxic molecules such as granzyme B and perforin secreted by human T cells were significantly decreased in the tissue of hPD-L1 kidneys in comparison to WT kidneys. These results were confirmed via in vitro assays using renal endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from WT and hPD-L1 transgenic pigs. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells showed significantly lower proliferation rates after exposure to hPD-L1 porcine renal ECs in comparison to WT ECs. In addition, the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines was significantly reduced in cultures using hPD-L1 ECs in comparison to WT ECs. Remarkably, hPD-L1 EC survival was significantly increased in cytotoxic assays. This study demonstrates the feasibility of evaluating the human response of specific immune subsets such as human T cells towards the whole xenograft during EVKP. This may represent a robust strategy to assess the potency of different genetic modifications to prevent xenogeneic immune responses and thereby predict the risk of immune rejection of new genetically engineered xenografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Schmalkuche
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Transregional Collaborative Research Centre 127, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tamina Rother
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sevval Besli
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reinhard Schwinzer
- Transregional Collaborative Research Centre 127, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Transplantation Laboratory, Clinic for General, Visceral and Transplantation-Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rainer Blasczyk
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Björn Petersen
- Transregional Collaborative Research Centre 127, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Neustadt am Rübenberge, Germany
| | - Constanca Figueiredo
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Transregional Collaborative Research Centre 127, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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5
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Lei Y, Wolf-van Buerck L, Honarpisheh M, Zhang Y, Schwinzer R, Petersen B, Seissler J. Neonatal islets from human PD-L1 transgenic pigs reduce immune cell activation and cellular rejection in humanized nonobese diabetic-scid IL2rγ null mice. Am J Transplant 2024; 24:20-29. [PMID: 37659605 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Strong xenorejection limits the clinical application of porcine islet transplantation in type 1 diabetes. Targeting T cell-mediated rejection is one of the main approaches to improve long-term graft survival. Here we study engraftment and survival of porcine islet cells expressing human programmed cell death ligand-1 (hPD-L1) in a humanized mouse model. Neonatal islet-like clusters (NPICCs) from transgenic hPD-L1 (hPD-L1-Tg) and wild-type (Wt) pigs were transplanted into nonobese diabetic-scid IL2rγnull mice stably reconstituted with human immune cells (hPD-L1 n = 10; Wt n = 6). Primary endpoint was development of normoglycemia during a 16-week observation period after transplantation. Secondary endpoints were porcine C-peptide levels and immune cell infiltration. Animals transplanted with hPD-L1-Tg neonatal islet-like clusters achieved a superior normoglycemic rate (50% versus 0%) and significantly higher plasma C-peptide levels as compared to the Wt group, indicating long-term beta cell function. Intracytoplasmic fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis and immunohistochemistry revealed significantly decreased frequencies of interferonγ-expressing splenic hCD8-positive T cells and reduced intragraft-infiltrating immune cells. We here demonstrate that expression of hPD-L1 provides strong islet xenograft protection without administration of immunosuppressive drugs. These findings support the hypothesis that hPD-L1 has the capacity to control cellular rejection and therefore represents a very promising transgene candidate for clinical porcine islet xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Lei
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Diabetes Zentrum-Campus Innenstadt, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, München, Germany
| | - Lelia Wolf-van Buerck
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Diabetes Zentrum-Campus Innenstadt, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, München, Germany
| | - Mohsen Honarpisheh
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Diabetes Zentrum-Campus Innenstadt, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, München, Germany
| | - Yichen Zhang
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Diabetes Zentrum-Campus Innenstadt, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, München, Germany
| | - Reinhard Schwinzer
- Transplant Laboratory, Department of General-Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bjoern Petersen
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Jochen Seissler
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Diabetes Zentrum-Campus Innenstadt, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, München, Germany.
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6
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Pokoyski C, Baars W, Windheim M, Reubold TF, Zischke J, Brinkmann A, Kay-Fedorov PC, Schwinzer R. Expression of viral CD45 ligand E3/49K on porcine cells reduces human anti-pig immune responses. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17218. [PMID: 37821577 PMCID: PMC10567836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44316-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgenic expression of protective molecules in porcine cells and tissues is a promising approach to prevent xenograft rejection. Viruses have developed various strategies to escape the host's immune system. We generated porcine B cells (B cell line L23) expressing the human adenovirus protein E3/49K or the human cytomegalovirus protein pUL11 and investigated how human T, NK and B cell responses are affected by the expression of the viral proteins. Binding studies revealed that E3/49K and pUL11 interact with CD45 on human but not porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. T cell proliferation in response to L23-E3/49K cells was significantly reduced and accompanied by development of an anti-inflammatory cytokine milieu (low: TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6; high: IL-4, IL-10). Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells which had been primed for four weeks by L23-E3/49K cells included an extended population of regulatory T cells. Cytotoxicity of effector T and natural killer cells against L23 cells was significantly reduced (40 to 50%) by E3/49K expression. B cell activation and antibody production to E3/49K expressing cells was also diminished. Surprisingly, pUL11 expression showed no effects. Reduction of human anti-pig immune responses by transgenic expression of selected viral genes may be a novel approach for protection of porcine xenografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pokoyski
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Wiebke Baars
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mark Windheim
- Institute of Cell Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas F Reubold
- Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jasmin Zischke
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, TTU-IICH), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Antje Brinkmann
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Penelope C Kay-Fedorov
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, TTU-IICH), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reinhard Schwinzer
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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7
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Reichart B, Cooper DKC, Längin M, Tönjes RR, Pierson RN, Wolf E. Cardiac xenotransplantation: from concept to clinic. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 118:3499-3516. [PMID: 36461918 PMCID: PMC9897693 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
For many patients with terminal/advanced cardiac failure, heart transplantation is the most effective, durable treatment option, and offers the best prospects for a high quality of life. The number of potentially life-saving donated human organs is far fewer than the population who could benefit from a new heart, resulting in increasing numbers of patients awaiting replacement of their failing heart, high waitlist mortality, and frequent reliance on interim mechanical support for many of those deemed among the best candidates but who are deteriorating as they wait. Currently, mechanical assist devices supporting left ventricular or biventricular heart function are the only alternative to heart transplant that is in clinical use. Unfortunately, the complication rate with mechanical assistance remains high despite advances in device design and patient selection and management, and the quality of life of the patients even with good outcomes is only moderately improved. Cardiac xenotransplantation from genetically multi-modified (GM) organ-source pigs is an emerging new option as demonstrated by the consistent long-term success of heterotopic (non-life-supporting) abdominal and life-supporting orthotopic porcine heart transplantation in baboons, and by a recent 'compassionate use' transplant of the heart from a GM pig with 10 modifications into a terminally ill patient who survived for 2 months. In this review, we discuss pig heart xenotransplantation as a concept, including pathobiological aspects related to immune rejection, coagulation dysregulation, and detrimental overgrowth of the heart, as well as GM strategies in pigs to prevent or minimize these problems. Additional topics discussed include relevant results of heterotopic and orthotopic heart transplantation experiments in the pig-to-baboon model, microbiological and virologic safety concepts, and efficacy requirements for initiating formal clinical trials. An adequate regulatory and ethical framework as well as stringent criteria for the selection of patients will be critical for the safe clinical development of cardiac xenotransplantation, which we expect will be clinically tested during the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Reichart
- Walter Brendel Centre for Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - David K C Cooper
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Matthias Längin
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ralf R Tönjes
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen 63225, Germany
| | - Richard N Pierson
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Gene Centre and Centre for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
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Lei T, Chen L, Wang K, Du S, Gonelle-Gispert C, Wang Y, Buhler LH. Genetic engineering of pigs for xenotransplantation to overcome immune rejection and physiological incompatibilities: The first clinical steps. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1031185. [PMID: 36561750 PMCID: PMC9766364 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1031185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Xenotransplantation has the potential to solve the shortfall of human organ donors. Genetically modified pigs have been considered as potential animal donors for human xenotransplantation and have been widely used in preclinical research. The genetic modifications aim to prevent the major species-specific barriers, which include humoral and cellular immune responses, and physiological incompatibilities such as complement and coagulation dysfunctions. Genetically modified pigs can be created by deleting several pig genes related to the synthesis of various pig specific antigens or by inserting human complement- and coagulation-regulatory transgenes. Finally, in order to reduce the risk of infection, genes related to porcine endogenous retroviruses can be knocked down. In this review, we focus on genetically modified pigs and comprehensively summarize the immunological mechanism of xenograft rejection and recent progress in preclinical and clinical studies. Overall, both genetically engineered pig-based xenografts and technological breakthroughs in the biomedical field provide a promising foundation for pig-to-human xenotransplantation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Lei
- Department of Pharmacy, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Kejing Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Suya Du
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan, China
| | | | - Yi Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Leo H. Buhler
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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9
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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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10
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Garry DJ, Weiner JI, Greising SM, Garry MG, Sachs DH. Mechanisms and strategies to promote cardiac xenotransplantation. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022; 172:109-119. [PMID: 36030840 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
End stage heart failure is a terminal disease, and the only curative therapy is orthotopic heart transplantation. Due to limited organ availability, alternative strategies have received intense interest for treatment of patients with advanced heart failure. Recent studies using gene-edited porcine organs suggest that cardiac xenotransplantation may provide a future source of organs. In this review, we highlight the historical milestones for cardiac xenotransplantation and the gene editing strategies designed to overcome immunological barriers, which have culminated in a recent cardiac pig-to-human xenotransplant. We also discuss recent results of studies on the engineering of human-porcine chimeric organs that may provide an alternative and complementary strategy to overcome some of the major immunological barriers to producing a new source of transplantable organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Garry
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America; Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America; Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America; NorthStar Genomics, Eagan, MN, United States of America.
| | - Joshua I Weiner
- Departments of Surgery, Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Sarah M Greising
- School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America
| | - Mary G Garry
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America; Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America; Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America; NorthStar Genomics, Eagan, MN, United States of America
| | - David H Sachs
- Departments of Surgery, Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
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11
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The PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway: A Perspective on Comparative Immuno-Oncology. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192661. [PMID: 36230402 PMCID: PMC9558501 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway inhibits the function of activated immune cells. This mediates immune tolerance and prevents immune-mediated tissue destruction. The malfunction of this pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic infections, autoimmunity, and cancer. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is an excellent example of the research benefits of comparative pathology and attests to the importance of the “one health one medicine” concept. Pioneering research was mainly focused on the examination of cells and tissues of human and mouse origin. It mainly revealed that PD-L1-positive tumor cells can paralyze PD-1-bearing immune cells, which prevents immunological destruction of cancer cells. This led to a major breakthrough in cancer treatment, i.e., the use of antibodies that block the interaction of these molecules and restore anti-cancer immune defense (immune checkpoint therapy). Further studies provided more detailed information on the tissue-specific context and fine-tuning of this pathway. The most recent research has extended the investigations to the examination of several animal species with the aim of improving disease diagnostics and treatment for certain animal diseases, in particular cancer, which is a major cause of disease and death in companion animals. Abstract The programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway mainly attracted attention in immuno-oncology, leading to the development of immune checkpoint therapy. It has, however, much broader importance for tissue physiology and pathology. It mediates basic processes of immune tolerance and tissue homeostasis. In addition, it is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer. It is also an important paradigm for comparative pathology as well as the “one health one medicine” concept. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of novel research into the diverse facets of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and to give insights into its fine-tuning homeostatic role in a tissue-specific context. This review details early translational research from the discovery phase based on mice as animal models for understanding pathophysiological aspects in human tissues to more recent research extending the investigations to several animal species. The latter has the twofold goal of comparing this pathway between humans and different animal species and translating diagnostic tools and treatment options established for the use in human beings to animals and vice versa.
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Abstract
To bridge the gap between organ demand and supply, xenotransplantation has long been considered as a realistic option for end-stage organ failure. Early this year this promise became reality for David Bennett Sr., the first patient whose own failing heart was replaced with a xeno-pig heart. To get here has been a rollercoaster ride of physiological hurdles seemingly impossible to overcome, technological breakthroughs and ethical and safety concerns. It started in 1984, with Stephanie Fae Beauclair, also known as baby Fae, receiving a baboon heart, which allowed her to survive for another 30 days. For ethical reasons primate work was soon abandoned in favour of the pig. But increased phylogenetic distance also brought with it an increased immunological incompatibility. It has been the development of ever more sophisticated genetic engineering tools, which brought down the physiological barriers, enabled humanisation of porcine organs and helped addressing safety concerns. This renewed the confidence in xenotransplantation, brought new funding opportunities and resulted finally in the first in human trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Fischer
- Chair of Livestock Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Angelika Schnieke
- Chair of Livestock Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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13
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Li S, Xu H, Kirk AD. Modulation of Xenogeneic T-cell Proliferation by B7 and mTOR Blockade of T Cells and Porcine Endothelial Cells. Transplantation 2022; 106:950-962. [PMID: 34387242 PMCID: PMC8850983 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activation of porcine endothelial cells (PECs) is the mechanistic centerpiece of xenograft rejection. This study sought to characterize the immuno-phenotype of human T cells in response to PECs and to explore the immuno-modulation of B7 and mammalian target of rapamycin blockade of T cells and/or PECs during xeno-responses. METHODS Rapid memory T-cell (TM) responses to PECs were assessed by an intracellular cytokine staining. T-cell proliferation to PEC with or without belatacept or rapamycin was evaluated by a mixed lymphocyte-endothelial cell reaction (MLER). Additionally, rapamycin-pretreated PECs were used in MLER. Cell phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Tumor necrosis factor-α/interferon-γ producers were detected in CD8+ cells stimulated by human endothelium but not PECs. MLER showed proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells with predominantly memory subsets. Purified memory and naive cells proliferated following PEC stimulation with an increased frequency of TM in PEC-stimulated naive cells. Proliferating cells upregulated programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and CD2 expression. Belatacept partially inhibited T-cell proliferation with reduced CD2 expression and frequency of the CD8+CD2highCD28- subset. Rapamycin dramatically inhibited PEC-induced T-cell proliferation, and rapamycin-preconditioned PECs failed to induce T-cell proliferation. PD-1 blockade did not restore T-cell proliferation to rapamycin-preconditioned PECs. CONCLUSIONS Humans lack rapid TM-mediated responses to PECs but induce T-cell proliferative responses characterized largely as TM with increasing CD2 and PD-1 expression. B7-CD28 and mammalian target of rapamycin blockade of T cells exhibit dramatic inhibitory effects in altering xeno-proliferating cells. Rapamycin alters PEC xeno-immunogenicity leading to inhibition of xeno-specific T-cell proliferation independent of PD-1-PD ligand interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Li
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - He Xu
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Allan D. Kirk
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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14
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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
| | - 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
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15
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Reichart B, Längin M, Denner J, Schwinzer R, Cowan PJ, Wolf E. Pathways to Clinical Cardiac Xenotransplantation. Transplantation 2021; 105:1930-1943. [PMID: 33350675 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Heart transplantation is the only long-lasting lifesaving option for patients with terminal cardiac failure. The number of available human organs is however far below the actual need, resulting in substantial mortality of patients while waiting for a human heart. Mechanical assist devices are used to support cardiac function but are associated with a high risk of severe complications and poor quality of life for the patients. Consistent success in orthotopic transplantation of genetically modified pig hearts into baboons indicates that cardiac xenotransplantation may become a clinically applicable option for heart failure patients who cannot get a human heart transplant. In this overview, we project potential paths to clinical cardiac xenotransplantation, including the choice of genetically modified source pigs; associated requirements of microbiological, including virological, safety; optimized matching of source pig and recipient; and specific treatments of the donor heart after explantation and of the recipients. Moreover, selection of patients and the regulatory framework will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Reichart
- Walter Brendel Center for Experimental Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Längin
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Denner
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Reinhard Schwinzer
- Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Transplant Laboratory, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter J Cowan
- Immunology Research Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, and Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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16
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Mardomi A, Limoni SK, Rahbarghazi R, Mohammadi N, Khorashadizadeh M, Ranjbaran H, Nataj HH, Jafari N, Hasani B, Abediankenari S. PD-L1 overexpression conveys tolerance of mesenchymal stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte-like cells in an allogeneic mouse model. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:6328-6343. [PMID: 33507552 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Although the autologously transplanted cells are immunologically durable, allogeneic cell transplantation is inevitable in a series of cases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the suitable candidates for cardiac tissue regeneration that have been shown to acquire immunogenicity concurrent with cardiomyogenic differentiation. The present study aimed to exploit PD-L1, as a key immunomodulatory checkpoint ligand to protect the MSCs-derived cardiomyocyte-like cells (CLCs) against the detrimental alloimmunity. Mouse bone marrow-derived MSCs were stably transduced to overexpress PD-L1. MSCs were in vitro differentiated into CLCs and the expressions of immunologic molecules were compared between MSCs and CLCs. The in vitro and in vivo allogeneic immune responses were also examined. The differentiated CLCs had higher expressions of MHC-I and CD80. Upon in vitro coculture with allogeneic splenocytes, CLCs caused more CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation, lymphocyte proliferation, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release in comparison to MSCs. PD-L1 overexpression on CLCs decreased the activation of CD8+ T cells, proliferation of lymphocytes, and release of IFN-γ. The PD-L1-overexpressing CLCs elicited lower in vivo CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation and reduced the anti-donor antibody response accompanied by increased durability and reduced T cell infiltration. The present study verified the potential of PD-L1 overexpression as a preparative strategy for the protection of allogeneic MSCs-derived CLCs against the detrimental alloreaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mardomi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shabanali K Limoni
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nabiallah Mohammadi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohsen Khorashadizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Hossein Ranjbaran
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hadi H Nataj
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Narjes Jafari
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Bahareh Hasani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeid Abediankenari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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17
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Sun WS, Yang H, No JG, Lee H, Lee N, Lee M, Kang MJ, Oh KB. Select Porcine Elongation Factor 1α Sequences Mediate Stable High-Level and Upregulated Expression of Heterologous Genes in Porcine Cells in Response to Primate Serum. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12071046. [PMID: 34356062 PMCID: PMC8304002 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically engineered (GE) pigs with various combinations of genetic profiles have been developed using heterologous promoters. This study aimed to identify autologous promoters for high and ubiquitous expression of xenotransplantation relevant genes in GE pigs. A 1.4 kb upstream regulatory sequence of porcine elongation factor 1α (pEF1α) gene was selected and isolated for use as a promoter. Activity of the pEF1α promoter was subsequently compared with that of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, CMV enhancer/chicken β-actin (CAG) promoter, and human EF1α (hEF1α) promoter in different types of pig-derived cells. Comparative analysis of luciferase and mutant human leukocyte antigen class E-F2A-β-2 microglobulin (HLA-E) expression driven by pEF1α, CMV, CAG, and hEF1α promoters revealed the pEF1α promoter mediated comparable expression levels with those of the CAG promoter in porcine ear skin fibroblasts (PEFs) and porcine kidney-15 (PK-15) cells, but lower than those of the CAG promoter in porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs). The pEF1α promoter provided long-term stable HLA-E expression in PEFs, but the CAG promoter failed to sustain those levels of expression. For xenogeneic serum-induced cytotoxicity assays, the cells were cultured for several hours in growth medium supplemented with primate serum. Notably, the pEF1α promoter induced significant increases in luciferase and HLA-E expression in response to primate serum in PAECs compared with those driven by the CAG promoter, suggesting the pEF1α promoter could regulate temporal expression of heterologous genes under xenogeneic-cytotoxic conditions. These results suggest the pEF1α promoter may be valuable for development of GE pigs spatiotemporally and stably expressing immunomodulatory genes for xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu-Sheng Sun
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea; (W.-S.S.); (H.Y.); (J.G.N.); (H.L.); (N.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Hyeon Yang
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea; (W.-S.S.); (H.Y.); (J.G.N.); (H.L.); (N.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Jin Gu No
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea; (W.-S.S.); (H.Y.); (J.G.N.); (H.L.); (N.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Haesun Lee
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea; (W.-S.S.); (H.Y.); (J.G.N.); (H.L.); (N.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Nahyun Lee
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea; (W.-S.S.); (H.Y.); (J.G.N.); (H.L.); (N.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Minguk Lee
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea; (W.-S.S.); (H.Y.); (J.G.N.); (H.L.); (N.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Man-Jong Kang
- Department of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea;
| | - Keon Bong Oh
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea; (W.-S.S.); (H.Y.); (J.G.N.); (H.L.); (N.L.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-63-238-7254
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18
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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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19
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Niu D, Ma X, Yuan T, Niu Y, Xu Y, Sun Z, Ping Y, Li W, Zhang J, Wang T, Church GM. Porcine genome engineering for xenotransplantation. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 168:229-245. [PMID: 32275950 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The extreme shortage of human donor organs for treatment of patients with end-stage organ failures is well known. Xenotransplantation, which might provide unlimited organ supply, is a most promising strategy to solve this problem. Domestic pigs are regarded as ideal organ-source animals owing to similarity in anatomy, physiology and organ size to humans as well as high reproductive capacity and low maintenance cost. However, several barriers, which include immune rejection, inflammation and coagulative dysfunctions, as well as the cross-species transmission risk of porcine endogenous retrovirus, blocked the pig-to-human xenotransplantation. With the rapid development of genome engineering technologies and the potent immunosuppressive medications in recent years, these barriers could be eliminated through genetic modification of pig genome together with the administration of effective immunosuppressants. A number of candidate genes involved in the regulation of immune response, inflammation and coagulation have been explored to optimize porcine xenograft survival in non-human primate recipients. PERV inactivation in pigs has also been accomplished to firmly address the safety issue in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. Many encouraging preclinical milestones have been achieved with some organs surviving for years. Therefore, the clinical trials of some promising organs, such as islet, kidney and heart, are aimed to be launched in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Niu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, China-Australian Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, China-Australian Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Taoyan Yuan
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310021, China
| | - Yifan Niu
- Nanjing Kgene Genetic Engineering Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211300, China
| | - Yibin Xu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Zhongxin Sun
- Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Department, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Yuan Ping
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Weifen Li
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jufang Zhang
- Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Department, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
| | - Tao Wang
- Nanjing Kgene Genetic Engineering Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211300, China.
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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20
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Yu XH, Deng WY, Jiang HT, Li T, Wang Y. Kidney xenotransplantation: Recent progress in preclinical research. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 514:15-23. [PMID: 33301767 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Kidney transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage renal disease, but is limited by the increasing shortage of deceased and living human donor kidneys. Xenotransplantation using pig organs provides the possibility to resolve the issue of organ supply shortage and is regarded as the next great medical revolution. In the past five years, there have been sequential advances toward the prolongation of life-supporting pig kidney xenograft survival in non-human primates, with the longest survival being 499 days. This progress is due to the growing availability of pigs with multi-layered genetic modifications to overcome the pathobiological barriers and the application of a costimulation blockade-based immunosuppressive regimen. These encouraging results bring the hope to initiate the clinical trials of pig kidney transplantation in the near future. In this review, we summarized the latest advances regarding pig kidney xenotransplantation in preclinical models to provide a basis for future investigation and potential clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hua Yu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China; The Transplantation Institute of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China
| | - Wen-Yi Deng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China; The Transplantation Institute of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China
| | - Hong-Tao Jiang
- Department of Organ Transplantation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China; The Transplantation Institute of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Organ Transplantation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China; The Transplantation Institute of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China; Department of Organ Transplantation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China; The Transplantation Institute of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China.
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Reichart B, Längin M. On the way (my way) to clinical xenogeneic heart transplantation. Presented at the 15th biannual IXA meeting, Munich, October 11, 2019. Xenotransplantation 2020; 27:e12637. [DOI: 10.1111/xen.12637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Reichart
- Transregional Collaborative Research Center 127 Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine LMU Munich Munich Germany
| | - Matthias Längin
- Department of Anaesthesiology University Hospital LMU Munich Munich Germany
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To describe the most recent progress towards tolerance in xenotransplantation. RECENT FINDINGS Mixed chimerism and thymic transplantation have been used to promote tolerance in xenotransplantation models. Intra-bone bone marrow transplantation is a recent advance for mixed chimerism, which promotes longer lasting chimerism and early graft function of subsequent organ transplantation. The hybrid thymus, an advancement to the vascularized thymokidney and vascularized thymic lobe, is being developed to allow for both donor and recipient T-cell selection in the chimeric thymus, encouraging tolerance to self and donor while maintaining appropriate immune function. Regulatory T cells show promise to promote tolerance by suppressing effector T cells and by supporting mixed chimerism. Monoclonal antibodies such as anti-CD2 may promote tolerance through suppression of CD2+ effector and memory T cells whereas Tregs, which express lower numbers of CD2, are relatively spared and might be used to promote tolerance. SUMMARY These findings contribute major advances to tolerance in xenotransplantation. A combination of many of these mechanisms will likely be needed to have long-term tolerance maintained without the use of immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M. Duggan
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Adam Griesemer
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY
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23
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Fischer A, Manske K, Seissler J, Wohlleber D, Simm N, Wolf-van Buerck L, Knolle P, Schnieke A, Fischer K. Cytokine-inducible promoters to drive dynamic transgene expression: The "Smart Graft" strategy. Xenotransplantation 2020; 27:e12634. [PMID: 32808410 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ubiquitous expression of T-cell regulatory transgenes such as the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) or the high-affinity variant LEA29Y improves xeno graft survival. Such donor pigs are however immunocompromised and susceptible to infection. Continous high expression of CTLA4 or LEA29Y in the graft could also compromise the health status of recipients. The novel "Smart Graft" strategy is likely to avoid these problems by controlling the expression of T-cell regulatory transgenes as and when required. METHODS Candidate promoters inducible by inflammatory cytokines were identified by in silico screening for potential NF-κB binding sites. Basal promoter levels and responsiveness to TNFα and IL1ß were quantified by expression of secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase in cultured cells. Promoters were modified to increase responsiveness by removing regulatory elements or adding SP-1 or NF-κB binding sites and again tested in vitro. The most promising promoters were then assessed in vivo. Porcine cells expressing inducible Renilla luciferase constructs were transplanted into immunodeficient NOD-Scid-IL2 receptor gammanull (NSG) mice. Following engraftment, the recipient's immune system was reconstituted by splenocyte transfer raising an immune response to the porcine xenograft. The resulting induction of promoter activity was detected by in vivo bioimaging. RESULTS Three human (hTNFAIP1, hVCAM1 and hCCL2), and one porcine promoter (pA20) were chosen for in vitro tests. In all experiments, the semi-synthetic and inducible ELAM promoter as well as the CAG promoter were used as references. In contrast to hTNFAIP1 and hVCAM1 the ELAM, hCCL2 and pA20 promoters showed significant induction after cytokine challenge. The hCCL2 and pA20 promoters were further optimized, resulting in increased responsiveness to TNFα and IL1ß. Cytokine-dependent upregulation of promoter activity was tested in vivo, where the ELAM and the optimized hCCL2 promoters showed a 2-fold upregulation, while one of the improved A20 promoters showed almost 10-fold upregulation. Our results also revealed more than 4-fold cytokine inducibility of the CAG promoter. CONCLUSION This is the first in vivo comparison of existing and newly designed cytokine-inducible promoters. Optimization of promoter structure resulted in almost 10-fold inducibility of promoter activity. Such a rapid and dynamically regulated response to inflammation and cell damage could reduce initial graft rejection, making the "Smart Graft" approach a useful means of modulating the expression of immune regulatory transgenes to avoid deleterious effects on porcine and human health. Expressing transgenes in this fashion could provide a safer organ for transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Fischer
- Livestock Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Katrin Manske
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Seissler
- Diabetes Center, Medizinische Klinik und Polyklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk Wohlleber
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Simm
- Livestock Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Lelia Wolf-van Buerck
- Diabetes Center, Medizinische Klinik und Polyklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Percy Knolle
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Angelika Schnieke
- Livestock Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Konrad Fischer
- Livestock Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
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Kalsi R, Messner F, Brandacher G. Skin xenotransplantation: technological advances and future directions. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2020; 25:464-476. [PMID: 32773504 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize the evolution of skin xenotransplantation and contextualize technological advances and the status of clinically applicable large animal research as well as prospects for translation of this work as a viable future treatment option. RECENT FINDINGS Porcine xenografts at the start of the millennium were merely biologic dressings subject to rapid rejection. Since then, numerous important advances in swine to nonhuman primate models have yielded xenotransplant products at the point of clinical translation. Critical genetic modifications in swine from a designated pathogen-free donor herd have allowed xenograft survival reaching 30 days without preconditioning or maintenance immunosuppression. Further, xenograft coverage appears not to sensitize the recipient to subsequent allograft placement and vice versa, allowing for temporary coverage times to be doubled using both xeno and allografts. SUMMARY Studies in large animal models have led to significant progress in the creation of living, functional skin xenotransplants with clinically relevant shelf-lives to improve the management of patients with extensive burns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Kalsi
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (VCA) Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.,Department of General Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Franka Messner
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (VCA) Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.,Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerald Brandacher
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (VCA) Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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Shu S, Ren J, Song J. Cardiac xenotransplantation: a promising way to treat advanced heart failure. Heart Fail Rev 2020; 27:71-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s10741-020-09989-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the impact of a new technology, 3D-bioprinting, in xenotransplantation research. RECENT FINDINGS Genetically engineered pigs, beginning with human (h) CD55-transgenic and Gal-knockout pigs, have improved the outcomes of xenotransplantation research. Today, there are more than 30 different genetically engineered pigs either expressing human gene(s) or lacking pig gene(s). CRIPSR/cas9 technology has facilitated the production of multigene pigs (up to nine genes in a single pig), which lack multiple pig xenoantigens, and express human transgenes, such as hCD46, hCD55, hThrombomodulin, hCD39, etc. Although recent studies in nonhuman primates (NHPs) have demonstrated prolonged survival after life-supporting pig kidney, heart, and islet xenotransplantation, researchers have difficulty determining the best genetic combination to test in NHPs because of a potential greater than 100 000 genetic combinations. 3D-bioprinting of genetically engineered pig cells: is superior to 2D in-vitro testing, enables organ-specific testing, helps to understand differences in immunogenicity between organs, and is faster and cheaper than testing in NHPs. Moreover, 3D-bioprinted cells can be continuously perfused in a bioreactor, controlling for all variables, except the studied variable. SUMMARY 3D-bioprinting can help in the study of the impact of specific genes (human or pig) in xenotransplantation in a rapid, inexpensive, and reliable way.
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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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Cooper DKC, Hara H, Iwase H, Yamamoto T, Jagdale A, Kumar V, Mannon RB, Hanaway MJ, Anderson DJ, Eckhoff DE. Clinical Pig Kidney Xenotransplantation: How Close Are We? J Am Soc Nephrol 2019; 31:12-21. [PMID: 31792154 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2019070651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with ESKD who would benefit from a kidney transplant face a critical and continuing shortage of kidneys from deceased human donors. As a result, such patients wait a median of 3.9 years to receive a donor kidney, by which time approximately 35% of transplant candidates have died while waiting or have been removed from the waiting list. Those of blood group B or O may experience a significantly longer waiting period. This problem could be resolved if kidneys from genetically engineered pigs offered an alternative with an acceptable clinical outcome. Attempts to accomplish this have followed two major paths: deletion of pig xenoantigens, as well as insertion of "protective" human transgenes to counter the human immune response. Pigs with up to nine genetic manipulations are now available. In nonhuman primates, administering novel agents that block the CD40/CD154 costimulation pathway, such as an anti-CD40 mAb, suppresses the adaptive immune response, leading to pig kidney graft survival of many months without features of rejection (experiments were terminated for infectious complications). In the absence of innate and adaptive immune responses, the transplanted pig kidneys have generally displayed excellent function. A clinical trial is anticipated within 2 years. We suggest that it would be ethical to offer a pig kidney transplant to selected patients who have a life expectancy shorter than the time it would take for them to obtain a kidney from a deceased human donor. In the future, the pigs will also be genetically engineered to control the adaptive immune response, thus enabling exogenous immunosuppressive therapy to be significantly reduced or eliminated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hidetaka Hara
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery and
| | - Hayato Iwase
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery and
| | | | | | - Vineeta Kumar
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Roslyn Bernstein Mannon
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Mardomi A, Mohammadi N, Khosroshahi HT, Abediankenari S. An update on potentials and promises of T cell co-signaling molecules in transplantation. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:4183-4197. [PMID: 31696513 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The promising outcomes of immune-checkpoint based immunotherapies in cancer have provided a proportional perspective ahead of exploiting similar approaches in allotransplantation. Belatacept (CTLA-4-Ig) is an example of costimulation blockers successfully exploited in renal transplantation. Due to the wide range of regulatory molecules characterized in the past decades, some of these molecules might be candidates as immunomodulators in the case of tolerance induction in transplantation. Although there are numerous attempts on the apprehension of the effects of co-signaling molecules on immune response, the necessity for a better understanding is evident. By increasing the knowledge on the biology of co-signaling pathways, some pitfalls are recognized and improved approaches are proposed. The blockage of CD80/CD28 axis is an instance of evolution toward more efficacy. It is now evident that anti-CD28 antibodies are more effective than CD80 blockers in animal models of transplantation. Other co-signaling axes such as PD-1/PD-L1, CD40/CD154, 2B4/CD48, and others discussed in the present review are examples of critical immunomodulatory molecules in allogeneic transplantation. We review here the outcomes of recent experiences with co-signaling molecules in preclinical studies of solid organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mardomi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nabiallah Mohammadi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Saeid Abediankenari
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Wolf E, Kemter E, Klymiuk N, Reichart B. Genetically modified pigs as donors of cells, tissues, and organs for xenotransplantation. Anim Front 2019; 9:13-20. [PMID: 32002258 PMCID: PMC6951927 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfz014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eckhard Wolf
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Science, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kemter
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Science, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nikolai Klymiuk
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Science, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bruno Reichart
- Walter Brendel Center for Experimental Medicine, LMU Munich, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich, Germany
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31
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Sake HJ, Frenzel A, Lucas-Hahn A, Nowak-Imialek M, Hassel P, Hadeler KG, Hermann D, Becker R, Eylers H, Hein R, Baars W, Brinkmann A, Schwinzer R, Niemann H, Petersen B. Possible detrimental effects of beta-2-microglobulin knockout in pigs. Xenotransplantation 2019; 26:e12525. [PMID: 31119817 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite major improvements in pig-to-primate xenotransplantation, long-term survival of xenografts is still challenging. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, which is crucial in cellular immune response, is an important xenoantigen. Abrogating MHC class I expression on xenografts might be beneficial for extending graft survival beyond current limits. METHODS In this study, we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system to target exon 2 of the porcine beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) gene to abrogate SLA class I expression on porcine cells. B2M-KO cells served as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer, and cloned embryos were transferred to three recipient sows. The offspring were genotyped for mutations at the B2M locus, and blood samples were analyzed via flow cytometry for the absence of SLA class I molecules. RESULTS Pregnancies were successfully established and led to the birth of seven viable piglets. Genomic sequencing proved that all piglets carried biallelic modifications at the B2M locus leading to a frameshift, a premature stop codon, and ultimately a functional knockout. However, survival times of these animals did not exceed 4 weeks due to unexpected disease processes. CONCLUSION Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of generating SLA class I knockout pigs by targeting the porcine beta-2-microglobulin gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Additionally, our findings indicate for the first time that this genetic modification might have a negative impact on the viability of the animals. These issues need to be solved to unveil the real value for xenotransplantation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antje Frenzel
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Andrea Lucas-Hahn
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Monika Nowak-Imialek
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Petra Hassel
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Klaus-Gerd Hadeler
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Doris Hermann
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Roswitha Becker
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Heinke Eylers
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Rabea Hein
- 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
| | - Antje Brinkmann
- 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
| | - Heiner Niemann
- REBIRTH/Department of Gastroenterology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Björn Petersen
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
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32
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Cooper DKC, Hara H, Iwase H, Yamamoto T, Li Q, Ezzelarab M, Federzoni E, Dandro A, Ayares D. Justification of specific genetic modifications in pigs for clinical organ xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation 2019; 26:e12516. [PMID: 30989742 PMCID: PMC10154075 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Xenotransplantation research has made considerable progress in recent years, largely through the increasing availability of pigs with multiple genetic modifications. We suggest that a pig with nine genetic modifications (ie, currently available) will provide organs (initially kidneys and hearts) that would function for a clinically valuable period of time, for example, >12 months, after transplantation into patients with end-stage organ failure. The national regulatory authorities, however, will likely require evidence, based on in vitro and/or in vivo experimental data, to justify the inclusion of each individual genetic modification in the pig. We provide data both from our own experience and that of others on the advantages of pigs in which (a) all three known carbohydrate xenoantigens have been deleted (triple-knockout pigs), (b) two human complement-regulatory proteins (CD46, CD55) and two human coagulation-regulatory proteins (thrombomodulin, endothelial cell protein C receptor) are expressed, (c) the anti-apoptotic and "anti-inflammatory" molecule, human hemeoxygenase-1 is expressed, and (d) human CD47 is expressed to suppress elements of the macrophage and T-cell responses. Although many alternative genetic modifications could be made to an organ-source pig, we suggest that the genetic manipulations we identify above will all contribute to the success of the initial clinical pig kidney or heart transplants, and that the beneficial contribution of each individual manipulation is supported by considerable experimental evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K C Cooper
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Hidetaka Hara
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Hayato Iwase
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Takayuki Yamamoto
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Qi Li
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.,Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang City, China
| | - Mohamed Ezzelarab
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Elena Federzoni
- Exponential Biotherapeutic Engineering, United Therapeutics, LaJolla, California
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Taylor TR, Levy H, Burlak C. Xenotransplantation literature update, September/October 2018. Xenotransplantation 2018; 25:e12475. [PMID: 30536839 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Travis R Taylor
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, Ohio
| | - Heather Levy
- Department of Surgery, Schultz Diabetes Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Christopher Burlak
- Department of Surgery, Schultz Diabetes Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Porcine islets represent a potentially attractive beta-cell source for xenotransplantation into patients with type 1 diabetes, who are not eligible to islet allo-transplantation due to a lack of suitable human donor organs. Recent progress in genetic engineering/gene editing of donor pigs provides new opportunities to overcome rejection of xeno-islets, to improve their engraftment and insulin secretion capacity, and to reduce the risk for transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses. This review summarizes the current issues and progress in islet xenotransplantation with special emphasis on genetically modified/gene edited donor pigs. RECENT FINDINGS Attempts to overcome acute rejection of xeno-islets, especially after intraportal transplantation into the liver, include the genetic elimination of specific carbohydrate antigens such as αGal, Neu5Gc, and Sd(a) for which humans and-in part-non-human primates have natural antibodies that bind to these targets leading to activation of complement and coagulation. A complementary approach is the expression of one or more human complement regulatory proteins (hCD46, hCD55, hCD59). Transgenic attempts to overcome cellular rejection of islet xenotransplants include the expression of proteins that inhibit co-stimulation of T cells. Expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 and M3 muscarinic receptors has been shown to increase the insulin secretion of virally transduced porcine islets in vitro and it will be interesting to see the effects of these modifications in transgenic pigs and islet products derived from them. Genome-wide inactivation of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) integrants by mutating their pol genes using CRISPR/Cas9 is a recent approach to reduce the risk for PERV transmission by xeno-islets. Genetic engineering/gene editing of xeno-islet donor pigs facilitated major progress towards clinical islet xenotransplantation. The required set of genetic modifications will depend on the source of islets (fetal/neonatal vs. adult), the mode of delivery (encapsulated vs. free), and the transplantation site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kemter
- Gene Center, and Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Denner
- Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Gene Center, and Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany.
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