Fate of αGal / pancreatic islet grafts after transplantation into αGal knockout mice

Abstract

Background: Important phylogenetic differences between pig and human tissues prevent xenotransplantation from becoming a clinically feasible option. Humans lack the galactose-α1,3-galactose (αGal) epitope on endothelial cell surfaces and therefore have preformed anti-αGal antibodies. The role of these antibodies in rejection of non-vascular xenografts remains controversial. This study investigared the role of anti-αGal antibodies in rejection of non-vascularized αGal +/+ grafts in αGal -/- mice. Methods: αGal +/+ and αGal -/- pancreatic islets were transplanted under the renal capsule of streptozotocin-induced diabetic (1) αGal -/-mice and (2) αGal +/+ mice. αGal -/- recepients were immunize..