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Hisadome Y, Eisenson DL, Santillan MR, Iwase H, Yamada K. Pretransplant Screening for Prevention of Hyperacute Graft Loss in Pig-to-primate Kidney Xenotransplantation. Transplantation 2024; 108:1749-1759. [PMID: 39042769 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Xenotransplantation using pig organs is now a clinical reality. However, the process for xenograft recipient screening lacks clarity and scientific rigor: no established thresholds exist to determine which levels of preformed antipig natural antibodies (Nabs) will be safe for clinical xenograft transplantation, and hyperacute rejection (HAR) or acute humoral xenograft rejection (AHXR), which still impacts pig-to-primate kidney xenograft survivals, may impede broader application of pig-to-human clinical xenograft transplantation. METHODS We retrospectively examined 28 cases of pig-to-baboon kidney xenotransplantation using GalTKO±human complement regulatory protein (hCRP)-transgenic (Tg) pig donors, as well as 6 cases of triple-KO multi-Tg (10GE) pig donors, and developed screening algorithms to predict risk of HAR/AHXR based on recipient antipig Nab levels. Preformed Nabs were evaluated using both complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody (IgM and IgG) binding flow-cytometry assays. RESULTS High complement-dependent cytotoxicity was associated with HAR/AHXR as expected. However, we also found that high levels of IgG were independently associated with HAR/AHXR, and we developed 2 indices to interpret and predict the risk of IgG-mediated HAR/AHXR. CONCLUSIONS Based on the data in this study, we have established a new 2-step screening, which will be used for future clinical kidney xenotransplantation trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Hisadome
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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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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Lee S, Chung YS, Lee KW, Choi M, Sonn CH, Oh WJ, Hong HG, Shim J, Choi K, Kim SJ, Park JB, Kim TJ. Alteration of γδ T cell subsets in non-human primates transplanted with GGTA1 gene-deficient porcine blood vessels. Xenotransplantation 2024; 31:e12838. [PMID: 38112053 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12838] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND αGal-deficient xenografts are protected from hyperacute rejection during xenotransplantation but are still rejected more rapidly than allografts. Despite studies showing the roles of non-Gal antibodies and αβ T cells in xenograft rejection, the involvement of γδ T cells in xenograft rejection has been limitedly investigated. METHODS Six male cynomolgus monkeys were transplanted with porcine vessel xenografts from wild-type (n = 3) or GGTA1 knockout (n = 3) pigs. We measured the proportions and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires of blood γδ T cells before and after xenotransplant. Grafted porcine vessel-infiltrating immune cells were visualized at the end of experiments. RESULTS Blood γδ T cells expanded and infiltrated into the graft vessel adventitia following xenotransplantation of α-Gal-deficient pig blood vessels. Pre- and post-transplant analysis of γδ TCR repertoire revealed a transition in δ chain usage post-transplantation, with the expansion of several clonotypes of δ1, δ3, or δ7 chains. Furthermore, the distinctions between pre- and post-transplant δ chain usages were more prominent than those observed for γ chain usages. CONCLUSION γδ TCR repertoire was significantly altered by xenotransplantation, suggesting the role of γδ T cells in sustained xenoreactive immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Lee
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Basic Medical Science, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Shin Chung
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Basic Medical Science, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Genetics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyo Won Lee
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miran Choi
- Transplantation Research Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chung Hee Sonn
- Transplantation Research Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Jun Oh
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Basic Medical Science, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hun Gi Hong
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Basic Medical Science, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Joohyun Shim
- Department of Transgenic Animal Research, Optipharm, Inc., Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Kimyung Choi
- Department of Transgenic Animal Research, Optipharm, Inc., Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Joo Kim
- GenNBio Co., Ltd, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Berm Park
- Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Genetics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Jin Kim
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Basic Medical Science, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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Goerlich CE, Kamberi SS, Ladowski J, Citro A, Connolly M, Fischer K, Salvaris EJ, Singh AK, Wang Y, Stern J, Meier RPH. The Young Investigator Committee of the International Xenotransplantation Association-Perspective of advancements in the field in 2023. Xenotransplantation 2024; 31:e12845. [PMID: 38407937 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12845] [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: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The 2023 IXA conference, hosted in San Diego, CA, brimmed with excitement against the backdrop of recent innovations in both the pre-clinical and clinical realms with several first-in-human applications of xenotransplantation. The theme, "Pigs are flying," alluded to the adage that xenotransplantation would only become a clinical reality "when pigs fly," suggesting a day that might never come. The event witnessed significant attendance, with 600 participants-the highest in the history of an IXA-IPITA joint congress. Among the attendees were members of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and corporate sponsors deeply engaged in the field. We summarize the latest topics from the congress, ranging from the pros/cons of decedent models of xenotransplantation and genetic engineering of porcine heart valves, solid organs, and cells for clinical translation and their regulatory and ethical landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corbin E Goerlich
- Department of Surgery, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shani S Kamberi
- Department of Surgery, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph Ladowski
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Antonio Citro
- San Raffaele Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Margaret Connolly
- Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Konrad Fischer
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Evelyn J Salvaris
- Immunology Research Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Avneesh K Singh
- Department of Surgery, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital & Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jeffrey Stern
- Transplant Institute, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Raphael P H Meier
- Department of Surgery, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Milusev A, Ren J, Despont A, Shaw J, Längin M, Bender M, Abicht JM, Mokelke M, Radan J, Neumann E, Kemter E, Klymiuk N, Ayares D, Wolf E, Reichart B, Sorvillo N, Rieben R. Glycocalyx dynamics and the inflammatory response of genetically modified porcine endothelial cells. Xenotransplantation 2023; 30:e12820. [PMID: 37735958 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12820] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Xenotransplantation is a promising approach to reduce organ shortage, while genetic modification of donor pigs has significantly decreased the immunogenic burden of xenotransplants, organ rejection is still a hurdle. Genetically modified pig organs are used in xenotransplantation research, and the first clinical pig-to-human heart transplantation was performed in 2022. However, the impact of genetic modification has not been investigated on a cellular level yet. Endothelial cells (EC) and their sugar-rich surface known as the glycocalyx are the first barrier encountering the recipient's immune system, making them a target for rejection. We have previously shown that wild type venous but not arterial EC were protected against heparan sulfate (HS) shedding after activation with human serum or human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF𝛼). Using a 2D microfluidic system we investigated the glycocalyx dynamics of genetically modified porcine arterial and venous EC (Gal𝛼1,3 Gal knock-out, transgenic for human CD46 and thrombomodulin, GTKO/hCD46/hTM) after activation with human serum or human TNF𝛼. Interestingly, we observed that GTKO/hCD46/hTM arterial cells, additionally to venous cells, do not shed HS. Unscathed HS on GTKO/hCD46/hTM EC correlated with reduced complement deposition, suggesting that protection against complement activation contributes to maintaining an intact glycocalyx layer on arterial EC. This protection was lost on GTKO/hCD46/hTM cells after simultaneous perfusion with human serum and human TNF𝛼. HS shedding on arterial cells and increased complement deposition on both arterial and venous cells was observed. These findings suggest that GTKO/hCD46/hTM EC revert to a proinflammatory phenotype in an inflammatory xenotransplantation setting, potentially favoring transplant rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Milusev
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jianfang Ren
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alain Despont
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jane Shaw
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Längin
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Bender
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan-Michael Abicht
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maren Mokelke
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Radan
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Neumann
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kemter
- Chair for 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
| | - Nikolai Klymiuk
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Oberschleissheim, Germany
- I. Department of Medicine, MRI,Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Eckhard Wolf
- Chair for 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
| | - Bruno Reichart
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicoletta Sorvillo
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Robert Rieben
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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