Immunological and physiological observations in baboons with life‐supporting genetically engineered pig kidney grafts

作者：Hayato Iwase, Hidetaka Hara, Mohamed Ezzelarab, Tao Li, Zhongqiang Zhang, Bingsi Gao, Hong Liu, Cassandra Long, Yi Wang, Amy Cassano, Edwin Klein, Carol J. Phelps, David Ayares, Abhinav Humar, Martin Wijkstrom, David K. C. Cooper · 发表于：Xenotransplantation · 年份：2017 · DOI：10.1111/xen.12293 · 被引用次数：219 · 研究领域：Xenotransplantation and immune response、Animal Genetics and Reproduction、Virus-based gene therapy research

BACKGROUND: Genetically engineered pigs could provide a source of kidneys for clinical transplantation. The two longest kidney graft survivals reported to date have been 136 and 310 days, but graft survival >30 days has been unusual until recently. METHODS: Donor pigs (n=4) were on an α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout (GTKO)/human complement regulatory protein (CD46) background (GTKO/CD46). In addition, the pigs were transgenic for at least one human coagulation regulatory protein. Two baboons received a kidney from a six-gene pig (GroupA) and two from a three-gene pig (GroupB). Immunosuppressive therapy was identical in all four cases and consisted of anti-thymoglobulin (ATG)+anti-CD20mAb (induction) and anti-CD40mAb+rapamycin+corticosteroids (maintenance). Anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-6R mAbs were administered to reduce the inflammatory response. Baboons were followed by clinical/laboratory monitoring of immune/coagulation/inflammatory/physiological parameters. At biopsy or euthanasia, the grafts were examined by microscopy. RESULTS: The two GroupA baboons remained healthy with normal renal function >7 and >8 months, respectively, but then developed infectious complications. However, no features of a consumptive coagulopathy, eg, thrombocytopenia and reduction of fibrinogen, or of a protein-losing nephropathy were observed. There was no evidence of an elicited anti-pig antibody response, and histology of biopsies taken at approximately 4, 6, and 7 months and at necropsy sh...