Characterization of pigs transgenic for human decay-accelerating factor Journal Article


Authors: Cozzi, E.; Tucker, A. W.; Langford, G. A.; Pino-Chavez, G.; Wright, L.; O'Connell, M. J.; Young, V. J.; Lancaster, R.; McLaughlin, M.; Hunt, K.; Bordin, M. C.; White, D. J. G.
Article Title: Characterization of pigs transgenic for human decay-accelerating factor
Abstract: Background. To prevent the central role played by complement activation in the hyperacute rejection of pig organs transplanted into primates, pigs transgenic for human decay-accelerating factor (HDAF) have recently been produced. The data presented here extend previous immunohistochemical findings by documenting the immunological characterization and the levels of expression of HDAF in these transgenic pigs. Methods. Animals from 30 independently derived lines were included in this study. HDAF expression was characterized by immunoprecipitation and epitope mapping. Quantitative analysis was performed by radiometric assays followed by Scatchard analysis and by double-determinant radioimmunoassay. Deposition of iC3b on porcine aortic endothelial cells was determined by radioimmunoassay. DNA slot-blot analysis and densitometric scanning were used to evaluate HDAF transgene copy number. Results. The integrity of HDAF expressed by these transgenic pigs could be demonstrated. HDAF was present in 72% of the organs analyzed, although considerable variation in expression occurred, both between animals and within the same pig. High levels of HDAF on porcine aortic endothelial cells resulted in iC3b deposition at levels as low as that detected on human endothelial cells. Twenty-six organs expressed levels of HDAF greater than those observed in the equivalent human tissue. HDAF expression did not correlate with the number of copies of the transgene incorporated into the porcine genome. Conclusions. Transgenic pigs, which express levels of functional HDAF even greater than those observed in humans, have successfully been produced. Pigs transgenic for human complement inhibiting molecules could represent a source of organs for future clinical xenotransplantation.
Keywords: controlled study; human cell; nonhuman; animals; animal tissue; gene expression; animal experiment; biopsy; postoperative complication; endothelium cell; immunoenzyme techniques; tissue distribution; endothelium, vascular; transgene; transplantation, heterologous; graft rejection; graft survival; swine; transgenes; muscles; organ donor; animals, genetically modified; aorta; radioimmunoassay; xenotransplantation; decay accelerating factor; complement activation; humans; human; priority journal; article; antigens, cd55
Journal Title: Transplantation
Volume: 64
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0041-1337
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 1997-11-27
Start Page: 1383
End Page: 1392
Language: English
PUBMED: 9392299
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI: 10.1097/00007890-199711270-00002
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 17 March 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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