Xenotransplantation—how far have we come?

The immunologic barriers to xenotransplantation are summarized and approaches to overcome them briefly reviewed. Intensive investigation is being directed to the problem of acute humoral xenograft rejection, which is the major current barrier. Although the induced antibody response appears to be pre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transplant Immunology 2002-05, Vol.9 (2), p.251-256
Main Authors: Cooper, D.K.C, Gollackner, B, Knosalla, C, Teranishi, K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute humoral xenograft rejection
Animals
Endothelium, Vascular - cytology
Genetic Engineering
Graft Rejection
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Humans
Immunosuppression - methods
Microbiology
Physiology
Swine
Thymus Gland - transplantation
Tolerance
Transplantation Chimera
Transplantation, Heterologous - immunology
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Summary:The immunologic barriers to xenotransplantation are summarized and approaches to overcome them briefly reviewed. Intensive investigation is being directed to the problem of acute humoral xenograft rejection, which is the major current barrier. Although the induced antibody response appears to be prevented by combination therapy with an anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody and mycophenolate mofetil, deposition of natural anti-Gal antibody on the graft endothelial cells appears to be sufficient to lead to rejection or a state of consumptive coagulopathy. Approaches towards the induction of tolerance are described. The potential microbiologic risks and physiologic incompatibilities of pig-to-human organ transplantation are also briefly discussed.
ISSN:0966-3274
1878-5492
DOI:10.1016/S0966-3274(02)00010-2