Molecular regulation of xenoreactivity

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The past year has seen several pig-to-baboon transplant studies using α1,3-galactosyltransferase-deficient donors. There are now sufficient data to begin to assess the impact of this important modification, and to review additional genetic strategies that may bring xenotransplantation to the clinic. RECENT FINDINGS: Survival of pig heart and kidney xenografts can now be measured in months rather than weeks, and the introduction of α1,3-galactosyltransferase-deficient donors has removed the requirement for depletion of anti-galactose-α1,3-galactose antibodies. The main obstacle to even longer survival is the development of antibodies to as yet unidentified non-galactose-α1,..