Logo Annals of Transplantation Logo Annals of Transplantation Logo Annals of Transplantation

15 December 2002

No Evidence for Productive PERV Infection of Baboon Cells in an In Vivo Infection Model

A R Simon, C Templin, C Schröder, G Laaff, R Tessmann, M E Winkler, S Tacke, J Denner, B Lapin, M Chikobava, C Patience, G Steinhoff, V Z Agrba, A Haverich, U Martin

Ann Transplant 2003; 8(3): 24-34 :: ID: 7528

Abstract

Objectives: The discovery that pig endogenous retroviruses are infectious for human cells in vitro lead to vehement discussions about the possible risk of infection after clinical xenotransplantation. Since PERV transmission to non-human primate cells in vitro has been observed, similar to human cells, infection studies in non-human primates should represent the best model to analyze a potential PERV transmission after xenotransplantation. However, it is still open to discussion, whether non-human primate cells can be infected productively -similar to human cells- and whether those
species are suitable to analyze PERV infection risks in vivo.
Methods: In vitro, only few cell types can be tested for susceptibility. We developed a pig to baboon cell transplantation model with special emphasis on B-cell effective immunosuppression, removal of anti Gal-á1,3-Gal-antibodies, inhibition of the complement cascade and long term survival of transplanted cellular grafts. This model allows us to investigate in vivo, whether any baboon cell types may be permissive for productive PERV infection. The xenograft recipients were investigated for up to 535 days post transplantation. Gal-á1,3-Gal-antibody and complement levels were monitored. Potential PERV transmission was analyzed, not only in PBMC, but in a variety of tissue samples as well as in serum and plasma samples by PCR, RTPCR and by detection of RT-activity. Moreover, potential PERV specific immune responses were studied by a highly sensitive Western-Blot-assay.
Results: Despite several days of extremely low levels of Gal-á1,3-Gal-antibody and complement, and despite of long term xenochimerism, no evidence for PERV infection was obtained in any of the tested tissues or in the tested serum samples.
Conclusion: This study supplies further evidence for a low susceptibility of baboons towards productive PERV infection after xenotransplantation.

Add Comment 0 Comments

In Press

07 Mar 2024 : Original article  

Outcomes of Renal Transplantation in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

Ann Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.943433  

08 Mar 2024 : Original article  

Association of Coronary Calcium Score on Cardiac PET During Pre-Kidney Transplant Assessment with Persisten...

Ann Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.943532  

14 Mar 2024 : Original article  

Impact of Blood Products Transfusion on Patients in the Immediate Post-Lung Transplant Period: A Cohort Study

Ann Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.943652  

14 Mar 2024 : Case report  

Treatment of Cavernous Transformation of Portal Vein Caused by Hepatic Cystic Echinococcosis Using Ex Vivo ...

Ann Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.942358  

Most Viewed Current Articles

05 Apr 2022 : Original article  

Impact of Statins on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Living-Donor Liver Transplantation

DOI :10.12659/AOT.935604

Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e935604

12 Jan 2022 : Original article  

Risk Factors for Developing BK Virus-Associated Nephropathy: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study of ...

DOI :10.12659/AOT.934738

Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e934738

22 Nov 2022 : Original article  

Long-Term Effects of Everolimus-Facilitated Tacrolimus Reduction in Living-Donor Liver Transplant Recipient...

DOI :10.12659/AOT.937988

Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e937988

15 Mar 2022 : Case report  

Combined Liver, Pancreas-Duodenum, and Kidney Transplantation for Patients with Hepatitis B Cirrhosis, Urem...

DOI :10.12659/AOT.935860

Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e935860

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Annals of Transplantation eISSN: 2329-0358
Annals of Transplantation eISSN: 2329-0358