Similarities in the immunoglobulin response and VH gene usage in rhesus monkeys and humans exposed to porcine hepatocytes

摘要: Background The use of porcine cells and organs as a source xenografts for human patients would vastly increase the donor pool; however, both humans Old World primates vigorously reject pig tissues due to xenoantibodies that react with polysaccharide galactose α (1,3) (αGal) present on surface many cells. We previously examined xenoantibody response in exposed hepatocytes via treatment(s) bioartficial liver devices (BALs), composed support matrix. determined BAL-treated are predominantly directed at αGal carbohydrate epitopes, encoded by small number germline heavy chain variable region (VH) immunoglobulin genes. The studies described this manuscript were designed identify whether responses IgVH genes encoding antibodies non-human used preclinical models similar those humans. Adult non-immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) injected intra-portally or heterotopically transplanted lobe. Peripheral blood leukocytes serum obtained prior multiple time points after exposure, immune was characterized, using ELISA evaluate levels specificities circulating xenoantibodies, production cDNA libraries determine B encode antibodies.