Pig-to-non-human primate heart transplantation: The final step toward clinical xenotransplantation?

Reichart, Bruno; Langin, Matthias; Radan, Julia; Mokelke, Maren; Buttgereit, Ines; Ying, Jiawei; Fresch, Ann Kathrin; Mayr, Tanja; Issl, Lara; Buchholz, Stefan; Michel, Sebastian; Ellgass, Reinhard; Mihalj, Maks; Egerer, Stefanie; Baehr, Andrea; Kessler, Barbara; Kemter, Elisabeth; Kurome, Mayuko; Zakhartchenko, Valeri; Steen, Stig; Sjoberg, Trygve; Paskevicius, Audrius; Kruger, Luise; Fiebig, Uwe; Denner, Joachim; Godehardt, Antonia W.; Tonjes, Ralf R.; Milusev, Anastasia; Rieben, Robert; Sfriso, Riccardo; Walz, Christoph; Kirchner, Thomas; Ayares, David; Lampe, Karen; Schonmann, Uwe; Hagl, Christian; Wolf, Eckhard; Klymiuk, Nikolai; Abicht, Jan-Michael und Brenner, Paolo (2020): Pig-to-non-human primate heart transplantation: The final step toward clinical xenotransplantation? In: Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Bd. 39, Nr. 8: S. 751-757

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The demand for donated human hearts far exceeds the number available. Xenotransplantation of genetically modified porcine organs provides an alternative. In 2000, an Advisory Board of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation set the benchmark for commencing clinical cardiac xenotransplantation as consistent 60% survival of non-human primates after life-supporting porcine heart transplantations. Recently, we reported the stepwise optimization of pig-to-baboon orthotopic cardiac xenotransplantation finally resulting in consistent success, with 4 recipients surviving 90 (n = 2), 182, and 195 days. Here, we report on 4 additional recipients, supporting the efficacy of our procedure. RESULTS: The first 2 additional recipients succumbed to porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) infections on Days 15 and 27, respectively. In 2 further experiments, PCMV infections were successfully avoided, and 3-months survival was achieved. Throughout all the long-term experiments, heart, liver, and renal functions remained within normal ranges. Post-mortem cardiac diameters were slightly increased when compared with that at the time of transplantation but with no detrimental effect. There were no signs of thrombotic microangiopathy. The current regimen enabled the prolonged survival and function of orthotopic cardiac xenografts in altogether 6 of 8 baboons, of which 4 were now added. These results exceed the threshold set by the Advisory Board of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our current and previous experimental cardiac xenotransplantations together fulfill for the first time the pre-clinical efficacy suggestions. PCMV-positive donor animals must be avoided. J Heart Lung Transplant 2020;39:751-757 (C) Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• ISSN: 1053-2498
• Sprache: Englisch