Limitation of donor source for allograft makes the research on xenograft progress. Pig is regarded as one of the ideal donor animals. The major obstacle in xenograft is hyperacute rejection, which is caused by complements after they are activated by xenogeneic antigens combined with natural antibodies. It has been confirmed that alpha-Gal is the major target antigen, whose expression is incharged by alpha-1,3 galactosyltransferase (alpha-GT). The approaches to overcome hyperacute rejection against alpha-Gal included: immunoadsorption of xenogeneic natural antibodies, lysis of antigen by enzyme and genetic manupilation to obtain animal lack of alpha-GT. Besides alpha-Gal, there were other antigens binding to human serum antibody, such as gp65 and gp100, which was expressed on PAEC after induced by TNF, the A-like antigen. But their function was still unknown. It was debatable on the role of MHC in xenograft. Both direct and indirect pathway were involved in cellular response in xenograft.
Insufficient supply of organ for allotransplantation made the study on finding new organ resources from animal progress. Pig is regarded as one of the optimal donor animals for human. The major obstacle in this field is hyperacute reaction (HAR), which is triggered after the xenogenic natural antibodies preexisting in recipient blood combine to the antigens on the surface of the endothelium and activate the complement system. alpha-Galactose residues (alpha-Gal) on the endothelial cell have been identified as the major xenoantigens. NJZ Pig has been closely breed since 1938, whose family history is clear. Tissue samples from heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, lung, small intestine, skin, spleen, thymus and lymph node were obtained and embedded in paraffin. The sections were performed the immunohistochemical staining with the sera from health volunteers (including all the blood types) as the primary antibodies as well as the biotin labeled bandeirae simplicifolia I isolectin B4 (BS I-B4), which has specific affinity to alpha-galactose. All the staining sections were compared with the tissues digested with alpha-galactosidase. There was no difference between the antigens recognized by sera of different blood types. alpha-Gal was still the major xenoantigen on the endothelial cells. There might exist non-alpha-Gal antigens on the distal convoluted tubules and collecting tubules of the kidney. There was no alpha-Gal distributing on the secreting part of pancreas, either the islet cells or the matrix cells, but surely on pancreatic duct and vessels. All the antigenity was destroyed after the enzyme digestion except that the small intestine gland still positive with the BS I-B4. alpha-Gal is the major xenogenic antigen in NJZ Pigs. There exist some unknown antigens on the distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney. The blood type of recipient is not the first affair to be considered in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. The specificity of BS I-B4 for the alpha-galactose needs more detail research.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of xenotransplantation rejection and the interaction between the immunocytes. METHODS: This review concluded the research achievements and new advances in xenotransplantation based on the relevant experimental data. RESULTS: Transgenic pig technology and novel immunosuppressants were applied to suppress hyperacute rejection and acute vascular rejection respectively. Modulation of T cell and antigen presenting cells and induction of tolerance were taken for the prevention of acute cellular rejection. CONCLUSION: In general, the technology of transgenic pig is relatively mature and effective. The mechanism and prevention of acute vascular rejection and acute cellular rejection should be further investigated.
ObjectiveTo summarize the advances of precl inical research in xenogeneic (porcine) cell transplantation in recent years. MethodsThe literature about the precl inical research in xenogeneic (porcine) cell transplantation was analyzed and summarized. ResultsWith the application of new immunosuppressive agents and the generation of transgenic pigs, great progress has been achieved in xenogeneic transplantation of pig-derived nerve cells, islet cells, liver cells, and various types of stem cells. The survival time of xenogeneic cell (porcine) significantly prolonged, but there is still a long way to go before cl inical application. ConclusionThe source of xenogeneic (porcine) cells is abundant and the experiments are reproducible. However, how to effectively prevent rejection and prolong the survival time in the host, and avoid the spread of virus between species are still need to be solved in the future research.
Objective To observe the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in human liver after hepatic transplantation, and to study its correlation with the occurrence and progression of acute allograft rejection.Methods Fifteen biopsy specimen of allograft liver after transplantation were collected and divided into three groups according to their pathological changes: control group (no rejection), mild acute rejection group, and moderate/serious acute rejection group. The expressions of HSP70 in grafts were detected by using immunohistochemical method and imaging analysis. Results HSP70 was expressed in all 3 groups, and appeared mainly in hepatocellular cytoplasm. The immunohistochemical imaging analysis of HSP70 showed: integral optical density (IOD) which was 30.99±11.14 in the control group was lower than that in the mild acute rejection group (68.84±21.37) and that in the moderate/serious acute rejection group (71.82±19.99), P＜0.01； and the IOD in the moderate/serious acute rejection group was higher than that in the mild acute rejection group (P＜0.05). Conclusion HSP70 plays a role in cellular protection for allograft liver, and the continuously increasing expression of HSP70 in graft maybe closely relates to the occurrence and progression of acute allograft rejection.
Objective To investigate the roles of cell apoptosis and the gene expressions of Fas, FasL, bcl-2 and bax in acute rejection of pancreaticoduodenal transplantation and to evaluate the function of duodenum biopsy for early detection of rejection in rats. Methods Wistar and SD rats were divided into two groups: ①Wistar rats that underwent allogenic pancreaticoduodenal transplantation from the organs of SD rats; ②Wistar rats that received homogenic transplantation. The grafts were then harvested on day 3, 5 and 7 after the transplantation, and all graft samples were observed with HE staining and TUNEL was also used to detect apoptotic cells. The expressions of Fas, FasL, bcl-2 and bax were measured by immunochemical method. According to Nakhleh’s score, pathologic features of transplanted pancreas and duodenum were ranged from one to three scores in order. Results The percentage of same or different scores between the pathological scores of pancreas and duodenum in allogenic pancreaticoduodenal transplantation group were 61.1% (11/18) and 38.9% (7/18) respectively, and there were 6 specimens of pancreatic tissue got higher scores with only one higher score for duodenum. There were significant differences of histopathologic rejection scores and apoptotic indices between the two groups, respectively (P＜0.05， P＜0.01). Apoptotic indices of pancreas and duodenum both showed positive correlations with histopathologic rejection scores (r=0.965， P＜0.01; r=0.942, P＜0.01). The rejection score and apoptotic index elevated, the expression of FasL increased, bcl-2 decreased, and Fas and bax changed over time after operation. Conclusion Apoptosis maybe significantly positive correlated with the degrees of damage of the acute pancreaticoduodenal allograft rejection, and the apoptotic index maybe valuable to estimate the damage. FasL and bcl-2 were significantly related to the impairment of acute pancreatic allograft rejection as well. Duodenum biopsy may contribute to the early diagnosis of the rejecting transplanted tissues.
Objective To summarize the significance of CYP3A5 in individualized immunosuppressive treatment with tacrolimus (FK506) after liver transplantation. Methods Relevant literatures about the effect of CYP3A5 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in liver transplant recipients, which were published recently domestic and abroad, were reviewed and analyzed. Results Tacrolimus was used effectively to prevent allograft rejection after liver transplantation. Narrow therapeutic range and individual variation in pharmacokinetics made it difficultly to establish a fixed dosage for all patients. Genetic polymorphism in drug metabolizing enzymes and in transporters influenced the plasma concentration of tacrolimus. CYP3A5 genotype had an effect on the tacrolimus dose requirement in liver transplant recipients.Conclusion Genotyping for CYP3A5 may help optimal individualization of immunosuppressive drug therapy for patients undergoing liver transplantation
Objective Ｔo summarize the advancement of ABO-incompatible liver transplantation. Methods Relevant literatures about ABO-incompatible liver transplantation, which were published recently domestic and abroad were reviewed and analyzed. Results Owing to various treatments recent years, outcomes of ABO-incompatible liver transplantation have been improved dramatically. Conclusion With effective immnosuppressive protocols and effective perioperative management, ABO-incompatible liver transplantation is feasible.
Objective To investigate the mechanism of hyperacute rejection (HAR) in pig to rhesus monkey vein xenograft. Methods Porcine femoral vein was transplanted into rhesus monkey. Deposits of IgM, IgG, C3 and C4 on the grafts were observed by immunoflurescence. Results Great deal of IgM, C3 and C4 were seen along the endothelium of donor vein, but IgG was not seen. ConclusionIn pig to monkey xenograft model, HAR is intiated by the binding of xenoreactive IgM to donor xenoantigens and followed by the activation of complement via the classical pathway.