Transplantation of organ cultured fetal pig pancreas in non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice and primates (Macaca fascicularis)

Abstract

Abstract: Xenografts of organ cultured fetal pig pancreas in prediabetic NOD mice can survive for prolonged periods (>20 weeks) in recipients treated with anti‐T cell monoclonal antibodies (MAb) directed against host CD4 and CD3 cell surface molecules. Anti‐CD4 MAb treatment alone is only partly effective and xenograft rejection occurs over a period of many weeks. In diabetic recipients, by contrast, recurrence of autoimmune disease in isografts is rapid (<28 days) despite similar depletion of CD4+ve T cells. In spontaneously diabetic NOD mice immunosuppressed with anti‐CD3 and anti‐CD4 MAbs xenograft function occurs and the recipient's blood glucose levels fall into the pig range. Organ cul..