22 November 2016 : Review article
Recent Progress in Xenotransplantation, with Emphasis on Virological Safety
Joachim DennerABCDEFGDOI: 10.12659/AOT.900531
Ann Transplant 2016; 21:717-727
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Xenotransplantation is a new technology that may help to overcome the shortage of human tissues and organs available for the treatment of tissue and organ failure. Remarkable progress has recently been made in this field. First, understanding of the mechanisms of immunological rejection, mainly of the hyperacute rejection, allowed generating numerous genetically modified pigs to overcome rejection. Second, based on these genetically modified animals and new immunosuppression regimens, long-term survival of non-human primate recipients of heart, kidney, and islet cell cells has been reported. And third, potential zoonotic microorganisms have been identified in pigs and sensitive methods to detect them have been generated. In 2 clinical trials treating diabetic patients with porcine islet cells, no porcine microorganisms were transmitted to human recipients. Furthermore, strategies to eliminate potentially zoonotic microorganisms from donor pigs in order to prevent transmission to the recipients have been developed, including designated pathogen-free (DPF) breeding. In addition, strategies to prevent transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) have been developed, including a knockout of all proviruses in the pig genome by gene editing. PERVs are integrated in the genome of all pigs and therefore they cannot be eliminated by DPF breeding. Since they are able to infect human cells, they represent a special risk in xenotransplantation. Despite the achievements, some problems remain: numerous genetically multi-modified pigs have been generated without fully evaluating their advantage, and microbiological screening of pigs to be used for transplantations and elimination of pathogenic microorganisms from the donor pigs are still not satisfactory.
Keywords: transplant rejection, Microbiological Safety, transplant survival, Xenotransplantation
In Press
04 Aug 2022 : Original article
Long-Term Patency of All-in-One Sleeve Patch Graft Venoplasty in 16 Patients Who Underwent Living Donor Liv...Ann Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.936888
22 Jul 2022 : Original article
Diagnostic Role of Tumor Markers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Liver Transplantation Candidates: An Analy...Ann Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.936937
22 Jul 2022 : Original article
Development of a Novel Model for Predicting Postoperative Short-Term Outcome in Patients with Hepatitis B-R...Ann Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.936732
22 Jul 2022 : Original article
Leucine-Rich Alpha-2-Glycoprotein (LRG-1) as a Potential Kidney Injury Marker in Kidney Transplant RecipientsAnn Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.936751
Most Viewed Current Articles
26 Jan 2022 : Review article
Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Transplantation: Risk Factors and Predictive ModelsDOI :10.12659/AOT.934924
Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e934924
29 Dec 2021 : Original article
Efficacy and Safety of Tacrolimus-Based Maintenance Regimens in De Novo Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Sys...DOI :10.12659/AOT.933588
Ann Transplant 2021; 26:e933588
24 Jul 2020 : Review article
Kidney Transplantation in the Times of COVID-19 – A Literature ReviewDOI :10.12659/AOT.925755
Ann Transplant 2020; 25:e925755
15 Mar 2022 : Case report
Combined Liver, Pancreas-Duodenum, and Kidney Transplantation for Patients with Hepatitis B Cirrhosis, Urem...DOI :10.12659/AOT.935860
Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e935860