1
|
Yang S, Zhang M, Wei H, Zhang B, Peng J, Shang P, Sun S. Research prospects for kidney xenotransplantation: a bibliometric analysis. Ren Fail 2024; 46:2301681. [PMID: 38391160 PMCID: PMC10916899 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2023.2301681] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Xenograft kidney transplantation has been receiving increasing attention. The purpose of this study is to use bibliometric analysis to identify papers in this research field and explore their current status and development trends. METHODS Using the data in the Web of Science core database from Clarivate Analytics as the object of study, we used 'TS = Kidney OR Renal AND xenotransplantation' as the search term to find all literature from 1980 to 2 November 2022. RESULTS In total, 1005 articles were included. The United States has the highest number of publications and has made significant contributions in this field. Harvard University was at the forefront of this study. Professor Cooper has published 114 articles in this field. Xenotransplantation has the largest number of relevant articles. Transplantation was the most cited journal. High-frequency keywords illustrated the current state of development and future trends in xenotransplantation. The use of transgenic pigs and the development of coordinated co-stimulatory blockers have greatly facilitated progress in xenotransplantation research. We found that 'co-stimulation blockade', 'xenograft survival', 'pluripotent stem cell', 'translational research', and 'genetic engineering' were likely to be the focus of attention in the coming years. CONCLUSIONS This study screened global publications related to xenogeneic kidney transplantation; analyzed their literature metrology characteristics; identified the most cited articles in the research field; understood the current situation, hot spots, and trends of global research; and provided future development directions for researchers and practitioners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shujun Yang
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mingtao Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hao Wei
- Department of Urology, Qingdao University Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiang Peng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China
| | - Panfeng Shang
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shengkun Sun
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Habibabady Z, McGrath G, Kinoshita K, Maenaka A, Ikechukwu I, Elias GF, Zaletel T, Rosales I, Hara H, Pierson RN, Cooper DKC. Antibody-mediated rejection in xenotransplantation: Can it be prevented or reversed? Xenotransplantation 2023; 30:e12816. [PMID: 37548030 PMCID: PMC11101061 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is the commonest cause of failure of a pig graft after transplantation into an immunosuppressed nonhuman primate (NHP). The incidence of AMR compared to acute cellular rejection is much higher in xenotransplantation (46% vs. 7%) than in allotransplantation (3% vs. 63%) in NHPs. Although AMR in an allograft can often be reversed, to our knowledge there is no report of its successful reversal in a pig xenograft. As there is less experience in preventing or reversing AMR in models of xenotransplantation, the results of studies in patients with allografts provide more information. These include (i) depletion or neutralization of serum anti-donor antibodies, (ii) inhibition of complement activation, (iii) therapies targeting B or plasma cells, and (iv) anti-inflammatory therapy. Depletion or neutralization of anti-pig antibody, for example, by plasmapheresis, is effective in depleting antibodies, but they recover within days. IgG-degrading enzymes do not deplete IgM. Despite the expression of human complement-regulatory proteins on the pig graft, inhibition of systemic complement activation may be necessary, particularly if AMR is to be reversed. Potential therapies include (i) inhibition of complement activation (e.g., by IVIg, C1 INH, or an anti-C5 antibody), but some complement inhibitors are not effective in NHPs, for example, eculizumab. Possible B cell-targeted therapies include (i) B cell depletion, (ii) plasma cell depletion, (iii) modulation of B cell activation, and (iv) enhancing the generation of regulatory B and/or T cells. Among anti-inflammatory agents, anti-IL6R mAb and TNF blockers are increasingly being tested in xenotransplantation models, but with no definitive evidence that they reverse AMR. Increasing attention should be directed toward testing combinations of the above therapies. We suggest that treatment with a systemic complement inhibitor is likely to be most effective, possibly combined with anti-inflammatory agents (if these are not already being administered). Ultimately, it may require further genetic engineering of the organ-source pig to resolve the problem entirely, for example, knockout or knockdown of SLA, and/or expression of PD-L1, HLA E, and/or HLA-G.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Habibabady
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gannon McGrath
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kohei Kinoshita
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Akihiro Maenaka
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ileka Ikechukwu
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gabriela F. Elias
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tjasa Zaletel
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ivy Rosales
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hidetaka Hara
- Yunnan Xenotransplantation Engineering Research Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Richard N. Pierson
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David K. C. Cooper
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mohiuddin MM, Singh AK, Goerlich CE. Preclinical rationale and current pathways to support the first human clinical trials in cardiac xenotransplantation. Hum Immunol 2023; 84:34-42. [PMID: 35851182 PMCID: PMC10154071 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.07.001] [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: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent initiation of the first FDA-approved cardiac xenotransplantation suggests xenotransplantation could soon become a therapeutic option for patients unable to undergo allotransplantation. Until xenotransplantation is widely applied in clinical practice, consideration of benefit versus risk and approaches to management of clinical xenografts will based at least in part on observations made in experimental xenotransplantation in non-human primates. Indeed, the decision to proceed with clinical trials reflects significant progress in last few years in experimental solid organ and cellular xenotransplantation. Our laboratory at the NIH and now at University of Maryland contributed to this progress, with heterotopic cardiac xenografts surviving more than two years and life-supporting cardiac xenografts survival up to 9 months. Here we describe our contributions to the understanding of the mechanism of cardiac xenograft rejection and development of methods to overcome past hurdles, and finally we share our opinion on the remaining barriers to clinical translation. We also discuss how the first in human xenotransplants might be performed, recipients managed, and graft function monitored.
Collapse
|
4
|
Goerlich CE, Singh AK, Griffith BP, Mohiuddin MM. The immunobiology and clinical use of genetically engineered porcine hearts for cardiac xenotransplantation. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:715-726. [PMID: 36895262 PMCID: PMC9994617 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00112-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A summary of the scientific rationale of the advancements that led to the first genetically modified pig-to-human cardiac xenotransplantation is lacking in a complex and rapidly evolving field. Here, we aim to aid the general readership in the understanding of the gradual progression of cardiac (xeno)transplantation research, the immunobiology of cardiac xenotransplantation (including the latest immunosuppression, cardiac preservation and genetic engineering required for successful transplantation) and the regulatory landscape related to the clinical application of cardiac xenotransplantation for people with end-stage heart failure. Finally, we provide an overview of the outcomes and lessons learned from the first genetically modified pig-to-human cardiac heart xenotransplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corbin E Goerlich
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Avneesh K Singh
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bartley P Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Muhammad M Mohiuddin
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Halecker S, Metzger J, Strube C, Krabben L, Kaufer B, Denner J. Virological and Parasitological Characterization of Mini-LEWE Minipigs Using Improved Screening Methods and an Overview of Data on Various Minipig Breeds. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122617. [PMID: 34946218 PMCID: PMC8706741 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Minipigs play an important role in biomedical research and have also been used as donor animals in xenotransplantation. To serve as a donor in xenotransplantation, the animals must be free of potential zoonotic viruses, bacteria and parasites. Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are integrated in the genome of all pigs and cannot be eliminated as most of the other pig viruses can. PERV-A and PERV-B infect human cells in cell culture and are integrated in all pigs, whereas PERV-C infects only pig cells and it is found in many, but not all pigs. Minipigs are known for a high prevalence of recombinant PERV-A/C viruses able to infect human cells (Denner and Schuurman, Viruses, 2021;13:1869). Here, Mini-LEWE minipigs are screened for the first time for pig viruses including PERV. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 10 animals were screened using PCR-based methods (PCR, RT-PCR, and real-time PCR). In comparison with our previous screening assays, numerous improvements were introduced, e.g., the usage of gene blocks as a PCR standard and foreign RNA to control reverse transcription in RT-PCR. Using these improved detection methods, Mini-LEWE pigs were found to be negative for porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV-1, -2 and -3), porcine circoviruses (PCV1, 2, 3 and 4), porcine parvovirus (PPV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV). All animals carried PERV-A, PERV-B and PERV-C in their genome. PERV-A/C was not found. In contrast to all other minipig breeds (Göttingen minipigs, Aachen minipigs, Yucatan micropig, Massachusetts General Hospital miniature pigs), Mini-LEWE minipigs have less viruses and no PERV-A/C. Parasitological screening showed that none of the Mini-LEWE minipigs harbored ecto- and gastrointestinal parasites, but at least one animal tested positive for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Halecker
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.H.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Julia Metzger
- Research Group Veterinary Functional Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Ludwig Krabben
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.H.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Benedikt Kaufer
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.H.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Joachim Denner
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.H.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-8386-3059
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lassiter R, Merchen TD, Fang X, Wang Y. Protective Role of Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase in Allograft Rejection and Tubular Injury in Kidney Transplantation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:671025. [PMID: 34305900 PMCID: PMC8293746 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.671025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) are the primary targets of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and rejection by the recipient's immune response in kidney transplantation (KTx). However, the molecular mechanism of rejection and IRI remains to be identified. Our previous study demonstrated that kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) and kynureninase were reduced in ischemia-reperfusion procedure and further decreased in rejection allografts among mismatched pig KTx. Herein, we reveal that TEC injury in acutely rejection allografts is associated with alterations of Bcl2 family proteins, reduction of tight junction protein 1 (TJP1), and TEC-specific KMO. Three cytokines, IFN γ , TNFα, and IL1β, reported in our previous investigation were identified as triggers of TEC injury by altering the expression of Bcl2, BID, and TJP1. Allograft rejection and TEC injury were always associated with a dramatic reduction of KMO. 3HK and 3HAA, as direct and downstream products of KMO, effectively protected TEC from injury via increasing expression of Bcl-xL and TJP1. Both 3HK and 3HAA further prevented allograft rejection by inhibiting T cell proliferation and up-regulating aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression. Pig KTx with the administration of DNA nanoparticles (DNP) that induce expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and KMO to increase 3HK/3HAA showed an improvement of allograft rejection as well as murine skin transplant in IDO knockout mice with the injection of 3HK indicated a dramatic reduction of allograft rejection. Taken together, our data provide strong evidence that reduction of KMO in the graft is a key mediator of allograft rejection and loss. KMO can effectively improve allograft outcome by attenuating allograft rejection and maintaining graft barrier function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Randi Lassiter
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Todd D. Merchen
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Xuexiu Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Youli Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Krüger L, Böttger J, Huang CA, Denner J. Absence of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) production from pig lymphoma cell lines. Virus Res 2021; 295:198286. [PMID: 33418025 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) -A and -B are integrated in the genome of all pigs, whereas PERV-C is found in many, but not all pigs. Some immortalized pig cell lines, among them lymphoma cells, but also mitogen activated primary lymphocytes have been shown to release virus particles, which were able to infect human cells and some of them were recombinant PERV-A/C. Since retroviruses can induce lymphomas, two newly established pig lymphoma cell lines and an older one (L23) were analysed for PERV expression. All three lines harboured PERV-A, PERV-B and PERV-C proviruses, but PERV-A/C recombinants were found only in the genome of L23 cells. The expression at the RNA level was very low and no protein expression and particle release was observed, suggesting that PERVs were not involved in the pathogenesis of these lymphomas. However, all three cell lines were infected with the porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus-3 (PLHV-3), which may have been involved in lymphoma development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luise Krüger
- Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Christene A Huang
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver / Anschutz Medical Campus, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Division of Transplant Surgery, 12700 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Joachim Denner
- Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hammer SE, Ho CS, Ando A, Rogel-Gaillard C, Charles M, Tector M, Tector AJ, Lunney JK. Importance of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (Swine Leukocyte Antigen) in Swine Health and Biomedical Research. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2019; 8:171-198. [PMID: 31846353 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-020518-115014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In pigs, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) complex, maps to Sus scrofa chromosome 7. It consists of three regions, the class I and class III regions mapping to 7p1.1 and the class II region mapping to 7q1.1. The swine MHC is divided by the centromere, which is unique among mammals studied to date. The SLA complexspans between 2.4 and 2.7 Mb, depending on haplotype, and encodes approximately 150 loci, with at least 120 genes predicted to be functional. Here we update the whole SLA complex based on the Sscrofa11.1 build and annotate the organization for all recognized SLA genes and their allelic sequences. We present SLA nomenclature and typing methods and discuss the expression of SLA proteins, as well as their role in antigen presentation and immune, disease, and vaccine responses. Finally, we explore the role of SLA genes in transplantation and xenotransplantation and their importance in swine biomedical models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine E Hammer
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Chak-Sum Ho
- Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, Itasca, Illinois 60143, USA
| | - Asako Ando
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan
| | | | - Mathieu Charles
- GABI, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Matthew Tector
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.,Current address: Makana Therapeutics, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, USA
| | - A Joseph Tector
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.,Current address: Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Joan K Lunney
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Posttransplantation infections are common. It is anticipated that infection will be no less common in xenotransplantation recipients. Prolonged xenograft survivals have resulted from advances in immunosuppressive strategies and development of swine that decrease host immune responses via genetic manipulation, notably CRISPR/cas9 manipulation. As prospects for clinical trials improve, consideration of the unique infectious risks posed by xenotransplantation reemerge. RECENT FINDINGS Organisms likely to cause infection in human recipients of porcine xenografts are unknown in advance of clinical trials. Microbiological screening of swine intended as xenograft donors can be more intensive than is currently feasible for human allograft donors. Monitoring infection in recipients will also be more intensive. Key opportunities in infectious diseases of xenotransplantation include major technological advances in evaluation of the microbiome by unbiased metagenomic sequencing, assessments of some risks posed by porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) including antiretroviral susceptibilities, availability of swine with deletion of genomic PERVs, and recognition of the rapidly changing epidemiology of infection in swine worldwide. SUMMARY Unknown infectious risks in xenotransplantation requires application of advanced microbiological techniques to discern and prevent infection in graft recipients. Clinical trials will provide an opportunity to advance the safety of all of organ transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jay A Fishman
- Transplantation Infectious Disease and Compromised Host Program, Infectious Disease Division and MGH Transplant Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
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
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Denner J. Reduction of the survival time of pig xenotransplants by porcine cytomegalovirus. Virol J 2018; 15:171. [PMID: 30409210 PMCID: PMC6225623 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-018-1088-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Xenotransplantation using pig cells, tissues and organs may help to overcome the shortage of human tissues and organs for the treatment of tissue and organ failure. Progress in the prevention of immunological rejection using genetically modified pigs and new, more effective, immunosuppression regimens will allow clinical application of xenotransplantation in near future. However, xenotransplantation may be associated with the transmission of potentially zoonotic porcine microorganisms. Until now the only xenotransplantation-associated transmission was the transmission of the porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) into non-human primates. PCMV caused a significant reduction of the survival time of the pig transplant. Main body of the abstract Here the available publications were analysed in order to establish the mechanism how PCMV shortened the survival time of xenotransplants. PCMV is a herpesvirus related to the human cytomegalovirus and the human herpesviruses 6 and 7. These three human herpesviruses can cause serious disease among immunocompromised human individuals, including transplant recipients. It was shown that PCMV predominantly contributes to the reduction of transplant survival in non-human primates by disruption of the coagulation system and by suppression and exhaustion of the immune system. Conclusion Although it is still unknown whether PCMV infects primate cells including human cells, indirect mechanism of the virus infection may cause reduction of the xenotransplant survival in future clinical trials and therefore PCMV has to be eliminated from donor pigs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Denner
- Robert Koch Fellow, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|