Xenotransplantation-the current status and prospects.

Introduction: There is a continuing worldwide shortage of organs from deceased human donors for transplantation into patients with end-stage organ failure. Genetically engineered pigs could resolve this problem, and could also provide tissues and cells for the treatment of conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and corneal blindness. Sources of data: The current literature has been reviewed. Areas of agreement: The pathobiologic barriers are now largely defined. Research progress has advanced through the increasing availability of genetically engineered pigs and novel immunosuppressive agents. Life-supporting pig kidneys and islets have functioned for months or years in nonhuman primates. Areas of controversy: The potential risk of transfer of a pig infectious microorganism to the recipient continues to be debated. Growing points: Increased attention is being paid to selection of patients for initial clinical trials. Areas timely for developing research: Most of the advances required to justify a clinical trial have now been met.

Renal Allograft Survival in Nonhuman Primates Infused With Donor Antigen-Pulsed Autologous Regulatory Dendritic Cells.

Systemic administration of autologous regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg; unpulsed or pulsed with donor antigen [Ag]), prolongs allograft survival and promotes transplant tolerance in rodents. Here, we demonstrate that nonhuman primate (NHP) monocyte-derived DCreg preloaded with cell membrane vesicles from allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells induce T cell hyporesponsiveness to donor alloantigen (alloAg) in vitro. These donor alloAg-pulsed autologous DCreg (1.4-3.6 × 106 /kg) were administered intravenously, 1 day before MHC-mismatched renal transplantation to rhesus monkeys treated with costimulation blockade (cytotoxic T lymphocyte Ag 4 immunoglobulin [CTLA4] Ig) and tapered rapamycin. Prolongation of graft median survival time from 39.5 days (no DCreg infusion; n = 6 historical controls) and 29 days with control unpulsed DCreg (n = 2), to 56 days with donor Ag-pulsed DCreg (n = 5) was associated with evidence of modulated host CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to donor Ag and attenuation of systemic IL-17 production. Circulating anti-donor antibody (Ab) was not detected until CTLA4 Ig withdrawal. One monkey treated with donor Ag-pulsed DCreg rejected its graft in association with progressively elevated anti-donor Ab, 525 days posttransplant (160 days after withdrawal of immunosuppression). These findings indicate a modest but not statistically significant beneficial effect of donor Ag-pulsed autologous DCreg infusion on NHP graft survival when administered with a minimal immunosuppressive drug regimen.

Persistence of Indirect but Not Direct T Cell Xenoresponses in Baboon Recipients of Pig Cell and Organ Transplants.

We investigated the contributions of direct and indirect T cell antigen recognition pathways to the immune response to porcine antigens in naïve baboons and baboon recipients of pig xenografts. In naïve baboons, in vitro culture of peripheral blood T cells with intact pig cells (direct xenorecognition pathway) or pig cell sonicates and baboon antigen-presenting cells (indirect xenorecognition pathway) induced the activation and expansion of xenoreactive T cells producing proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-2 and interferon-γ. Primary indirect xenoresponses were mediated by preexisting memory T cells, whose presence is not typically observed in primary alloresponses. Next, baboons were conditioned with a nonmyeloablative regimen before short-term immunosuppression and transplantation of xenogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cells and a kidney, heart, or pancreatic islets from a miniature swine. All transplants were rejected acutely within 30 days after their placement. Posttransplantation, we observed an inhibition of the direct xenoresponse but a significant expansion of indirectly activated proinflammatory T cells. These results suggest that additional treatment to suppress indirect T cell immunity in primates may be required to achieve tolerance of pig xenografts through hematopoietic chimerism.

Regulatory T Cell Infusion Can Enhance Memory T Cell and Alloantibody Responses in Lymphodepleted Nonhuman Primate Heart Allograft Recipients.

The ability of regulatory T cells (Treg) to prolong allograft survival and promote transplant tolerance in lymphodepleted rodents is well established. Few studies, however, have addressed the therapeutic potential of adoptively transferred, CD4(+) CD25(+) CD127(-) Foxp3(+) (Treg) in clinically relevant large animal models. We infused ex vivo-expanded, functionally stable, nonselected Treg (up to a maximum cumulative dose of 1.87 billion cells) into antithymocyte globulin-lymphodepleted, MHC-mismatched cynomolgus monkey heart graft recipients before homeostatic recovery of effector T cells. The monkeys also received tacrolimus, anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibodies and tapered rapamycin maintenance therapy. Treg administration in single or multiple doses during the early postsurgical period (up to 1 month posttransplantation), when host T cells were profoundly depleted, resulted in inferior graft function compared with controls. This was accompanied by increased incidences of effector memory T cells, enhanced interferon-γ production by host CD8(+) T cells, elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and antidonor alloantibodies. The findings caution against infusion of Treg during the early posttransplantation period after lymphodepletion. Despite marked but transient increases in Treg relative to endogenous effector T cells and use of reputed "Treg-friendly" agents, the host environment/immune effector mechanisms instigated under these conditions can perturb rather than favor the potential therapeutic efficacy of adoptively transferred Treg.

Sequential monitoring and stability of ex vivo-expanded autologous and nonautologous regulatory T cells following infusion in nonhuman primates.

Ex vivo-expanded cynomolgus monkey CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(-) regulatory T cells (Treg) maintained Foxp3 demethylation status at the Treg-specific demethylation region, and potently suppressed T cell proliferation through three rounds of expansion. When carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester- or violet proliferation dye 450-labeled autologous (auto) and nonautologous (non-auto)-expanded Treg were infused into monkeys, the number of labeled auto-Treg in peripheral blood declined rapidly during the first week, but persisted at low levels in both normal and anti-thymocyte globulin plus rapamycin-treated (immunosuppressed; IS) animals for at least 3 weeks. By contrast, MHC-mismatched non-auto-Treg could not be detected in normal monkey blood or in blood of two out of the three IS monkeys by day 6 postinfusion. They were also more difficult to detect than auto-Treg in peripheral lymphoid tissue. Both auto- and non-auto-Treg maintained Ki67 expression early after infusion. Sequential monitoring revealed that adoptively transferred auto-Treg maintained similarly high levels of Foxp3 and CD25 and low CD127 compared with endogenous Treg, although Foxp3 staining diminished over time in these nontransplanted recipients. Thus, infused ex vivo-expanded auto-Treg persist longer than MHC-mismatched non-auto-Treg in blood of nonhuman primates and can be detected in secondary lymphoid tissue. Host lymphodepletion and rapamycin administration did not consistently prolong the persistence of non-auto-Treg in these sites.

Pig-to-monkey islet xenotransplantation using multi-transgenic pigs.

The generation of pigs with genetic modifications has significantly advanced the field of xenotransplantation. New genetically engineered pigs were produced on an α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout background with ubiquitous expression of human CD46, with islet beta cell-specific expression of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor and/or human CD39 and/or porcine CTLA4-lg. Isolated islets from pigs with 3, 4 or 5 genetic modifications were transplanted intraportally into streptozotocin-diabetic, immunosuppressed cynomolgus monkeys (n = 5). Immunosuppression was based on anti-CD154 mAb costimulation blockade. Monitoring included features of early islet destruction, glycemia, exogenous insulin requirement and histopathology of the islets at necropsy. Using these modified pig islets, there was evidence of reduced islet destruction in the first hours after transplantation, compared with two series of historical controls that received identical therapy but were transplanted with islets from pigs with either no or only one genetic modification. Despite encouraging effects on early islet loss, these multi-transgenic islet grafts did not demonstrate consistency in regard to long-term success, with only two of five demonstrating function beyond 5 months.

Regulatory dendritic cell infusion prolongs kidney allograft survival in nonhuman primates.

We examined the influence of regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg), generated from cytokine-mobilized donor blood monocytes in vitamin D3 and IL-10, on renal allograft survival in a clinically relevant rhesus macaque model. DCreg expressed low MHC class II and costimulatory molecules, but comparatively high levels of programmed death ligand-1 (B7-H1), and were resistant to pro-inflammatory cytokine-induced maturation. They were infused intravenously (3.5-10 × 10(6) /kg), together with the B7-CD28 costimulation blocking agent CTLA4Ig, 7 days before renal transplantation. CTLA4Ig was given for up to 8 weeks and rapamycin, started on Day -2, was maintained with tapering of blood levels until full withdrawal at 6 months. Median graft survival time was 39.5 days in control monkeys (no DC infusion; n = 6) and 113.5 days (p < 0.05) in DCreg-treated animals (n = 6). No adverse events were associated with DCreg infusion, and there was no evidence of induction of host sensitization based on circulating donor-specific alloantibody levels. Immunologic monitoring also revealed regulation of donor-reactive memory CD95(+) T cells and reduced memory/regulatory T cell ratios in DCreg-treated monkeys compared with controls. Termination allograft histology showed moderate combined T cell- and Ab-mediated rejection in both groups. These findings justify further preclinical evaluation of DCreg therapy and their therapeutic potential in organ transplantation.

Ex vivo-expanded cynomolgus macaque regulatory T cells are resistant to alemtuzumab-mediated cytotoxicity.

Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) is a humanized monoclonal antibody (Ab) directed against CD52 that depletes lymphocytes and other leukocytes, mainly by complement-dependent mechanisms. We investigated the influence of alemtuzumab (i) on ex vivo-expanded cynomolgus monkey regulatory T cells (Treg) generated for prospective use in adoptive cell therapy and (ii) on naturally occurring Treg following alemtuzumab infusion. Treg were isolated from PBMC and lymph nodes and expanded for two rounds. CD52 expression, binding of alemtuzumab and both complement-mediated killing and Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were compared between freshly isolated and expanded Treg and effector T cells. Monkeys undergoing allogeneic heart transplantation given alemtuzumab were monitored for Treg and serum alemtuzumab activity. Ex vivo-expanded Treg showed progressive downregulation of CD52 expression, absence of alemtuzumab binding, minimal change in complement inhibitory protein (CD46) expression and no complement-dependent killing or ADCC. Infusion of alemtuzumab caused potent depletion of all lymphocytes, but a transient increase in the incidence of circulating Treg. After infusion of alemtuzumab, monkey serum killed fresh PBMC, but not expanded Treg. Thus, expanded cynomolgus monkey Treg are resistant to alemtuzumab-mediated, complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Furthermore, our data suggest that these expanded monkey Treg can be infused into graft recipients given alemtuzumab without risk of complement-mediated killing.

The respective relevance of sensitization to alloantigens and xenoantigens in pig organ xenotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: Antibody-mediated rejection is a major cause of graft injury and contributes to failure of pig xenografts in nonhuman primates (NHPs). Most 'natural' or elicited antibodies found in humans and NHPs are directed against pig glycan antigens, but antibodies binding to swine leukocyte antigens (SLA) have also been detected. Of clinical importance is (i) whether the presence of high levels of antibodies directed towards human leukocyte antigens (HLA) (i.e., high panel-reactive antibodies) would be detrimental to the outcome of a pig organ xenograft; and (ii) whether, in the event of sensitization to pig antigens, a subsequent allotransplant would be at increased risk of graft failure due to elicited anti-pig antibodies that cross-react with human HLA or other antigens. SUMMARY: A literature review of pig-to-primate studies indicates that relatively few highly-HLA-sensitized humans have antibodies that cross-react with pigs, predicting that most would not be at increased risk of rejecting an organ xenograft. Furthermore, the existing evidence indicates that sensitization to pig antigens will probably not elicit increased alloantibody titers; if so, 'bridging' with a pig organ could be carried out without increased risk of subsequent antibody-mediated allograft failure. KEY MESSAGE: These issues have important implications for the design and conduct of clinical xenotransplantation trials.

Impact of thrombocytopenia on survival of baboons with genetically modified pig liver transplants: clinical relevance.

A lack of deceased human donor livers leads to a significant mortality in patients with acute-on-chronic or acute (fulminant) liver failure or with primary nonfunction of an allograft. Genetically engineered pigs could provide livers that might bridge the patient to allotransplantation. Orthotopic liver transplantation in baboons using livers from alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout (GTKO) pigs (n = 2) or from GTKO pigs transgenic for CD46 (n = 8) were carried out with a clinically acceptable immunosuppressive regimen. Six of 10 baboons survived for 4-7 days. In all cases, liver function was adequate, as evidenced by tests of detoxification, protein synthesis, complement activity and coagulation parameters. The major problem that prevented more prolonged survival beyond 7 days was a profound thrombocytopenia that developed within 1 h after reperfusion, ultimately resulting in spontaneous hemorrhage at various sites. We postulate that this is associated with the expression of tissue factor on platelets after contact with pig endothelium, resulting in platelet and platelet-peripheral blood mononuclear cell(s) aggregation and deposition of aggregates in the liver graft, though we were unable to confirm this conclusively. If this problem can be resolved, we would anticipate that a pig liver could provide a period during which a patient in liver failure could be successfully bridged to allotransplantation.

Recipient tissue factor expression is associated with consumptive coagulopathy in pig-to-primate kidney xenotransplantation.

Consumptive coagulopathy (CC) remains a challenge in pig-to-primate organ xenotransplantation (Tx). This study investigated the role of tissue factor (TF) expression on circulating platelets and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Baboons (n = 9) received a kidney graft from pigs that were either wild-type (n = 2), alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout (GT-KO; n = 1) or GT-KO and transgenic for the complement-regulatory protein, CD46 (GT-KO/CD46, n = 6). In the baboon where the graft developed hyperacute rejection (n = 1), the platelets and PBMCs expressed TF within 4 h of Tx. In the remaining baboons, TF was detected on platelets on post-Tx day 1. Subsequently, platelet-leukocyte aggregation developed with formation of thrombin. In the six baboons with CC, TF was not detected on baboon PBMCs until CC was beginning to develop. Graft histopathology showed fibrin deposition and platelet aggregation (n = 6), but with only minor or no features indicating a humoral immune response (n = 3), and no macrophage, B or T cell infiltration (n = 6). Activation of platelets to express TF was associated with the initiation of CC, whereas TF expression on PBMCs was concomitant with the onset of CC, often in the relative absence of features of acute humoral xenograft rejection. Prevention of recipient platelet activation may be crucial for successful pig-to-primate kidney Tx.

Investigation of lymphocyte depletion and repopulation using alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) in cynomolgus monkeys.

As the target CD52 molecule is expressed on erythrocytes of most nonhuman primate strains, using alemtuzumab in these species would cause massive hemolysis. Six cynomolgus monkeys of Indonesian origin, screened by agglutination assay for absence of CD52 on erythrocytes, were administered alemtuzumab in a cumulative dose to a maximum of 60 mg/kg. In two monkeys, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was added as maintenance therapy. Complete depletion of T and B lymphocytes (>99.5%) was achieved with 20 mg/kg alemtuzumab and was more profound than in monkeys treated with antithymocyte globulin (n = 5), as quantified by flow cytometry. Repopulation was suppressed by weekly injections of 10 mg/kg. Without MMF, repopulation of CD20(+)B cells and CD8(+)T cells was complete within 2 and 3 months, respectively, and repopulation of CD4(+)T cells was 67% after 1 year. MMF significantly delayed CD4(+)T-cell repopulation. Among repopulating CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, a phenotypic shift was observed from CD45RA(hi)CD62L(hi) naïve cells toward CD45RA(lo)CD62L(lo) effector memory cells. In lymph nodes, the depletion of naïve cells was more profound than of memory cells, which may have initiated a proliferation of memory cells. This model offers opportunities to investigate lymphocyte depletion/repopulation phenomena, as well as the efficacy of alemtuzumab in preclinical transplantation models.

Endoscopic gastric submucosal transplantation of islets (ENDO-STI): technique and initial results in diabetic pigs.

The results of transplantation of human donor islets into the portal vein (PV) in patients with diabetes are encouraging. However, there are complications, for example, hemorrhage, thrombosis and an immediate loss of islets through the 'instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction' (IBMIR). The gastric submucosal space (GSMS) offers potential advantages. Islets were isolated from adult pigs. Recipient pigs were made diabetic by streptozotocin. Donor islets were injected into the GSMS through a laparotomy (Group 1A, n = 4) or endoscopically (Group 1B, n = 8) or into the PV through a laparotomy (Group 2, n = 3). The pigs were followed for a maximum of 28 days. Monitoring of C-peptide in Group 1 indicated that there was minimal immediate loss of islets whereas in Group 2 there was considerable loss from IBMIR. In Group 1, there were significant reductions in mean blood glucose and mean exogenous insulin requirement between pretransplantation and 20 days posttransplantation. In Group 2, there was no significant reduction in either parameter. Insulin-positive cells were seen in the GSMS in Group 1, but not in the liver in Group 2. Endoscopic gastric submucosal transplantation of islets (ENDO-STI) offers a minimally invasive and quick approach to islet transplantation, avoids IBMIR and warrants further exploration.

Long-term controlled normoglycemia in diabetic non-human primates after transplantation with hCD46 transgenic porcine islets.

Xenotransplantation of porcine islets into diabetic non-human primates is characterized by (i) an initial massive graft loss possibly due to the instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction and (ii) the requirement of intensive, clinically unfriendly immunosuppressive therapy. We investigated whether the transgenic expression of a human complement-regulatory protein (hCD46) on porcine islets would improve the outcome of islet xenotransplantation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Cynomolgus monkeys. Immunosuppression consisted of thymoglobulin, anti-CD154 mAb for costimulation blockade, and mycophenolate mofetil. Following the transplantation of islets from wild-type pigs (n = 2) or from 1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout pigs (n = 2), islets survived for a maximum of only 46 days, as evidenced by return to hyperglycemia and the need for exogenous insulin therapy. The transplantation of islets from hCD46 pigs resulted in graft survival and insulin-independent normoglycemia in four of five monkeys for the 3 months follow-up of the experiment. One normalized recipient, selected at random, was followed for >12 months. Inhibition of complement activation by the expression of hCD46 on the pig islets did not substantially reduce the initial loss of islet mass, rather was effective in limiting antibody-mediated rejection. This resulted in a reduced need for immunosuppression to preserve a sufficient islet mass to maintain normoglycemia long-term.

Renal and cardiac endothelial heterogeneity impact acute vascular rejection in pig-to-baboon xenotransplantation.

Xenograft outcomes are dictated by xenoantigen expression, for example, Gal alpha1, 3Gal (Gal), but might also depend on differing vascular responses. We investigated whether differential vascular gene expression in kidney and cardiac xenografts correlate with development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TM) and consumptive coagulation (CC). Immunosuppressed baboons underwent miniswine or hDAF pig kidney (n = 6) or heart (n = 7), or Gal-transferase gene-knockout (GalT-KO) (thymo)kidney transplantation (n = 14). Porcine cDNA miniarrays determined donor proinflammatory, apoptosis-related and vascular coagulant/fibrinolytic gene expression at defined time points; validated by mRNA, protein levels and immunopathology. hDAF-transgenic and GalT-KO xenografts, (particularly thymokidneys) exhibited prolonged survival. CC was seen with Gal-expressing porcine kidneys (3 of 6), only 1 of 7 baboons postcardiac xenotransplantation and was infrequent following GalT-KO grafts (1 of 14). Protective-type genes (heme oxygenase-I, superoxide dismutases and CD39) together with von Willebrand factor and P-selectin were upregulated in all renal grafts. Transcriptional responses in Gal-expressing xenografts were comparable to those seen in the infrequent GalT-KO rejection. In cardiac xenografts, fibrin deposition was associated with increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression establishing that gene expression profiles in renal and cardiac xenografts differ in a quantitative manner. These findings suggest that therapeutic targets may differ for renal and cardiac xenotransplants.

Rejection of cardiac xenografts transplanted from alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout (GalT-KO) pigs to baboons.

The use of alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout (GalT-KO) swine donors in discordant xenotransplantation has extended the survival of cardiac xenografts in baboons following transplantation. Eight baboons received heterotopic cardiac xenografts from GalT-KO swine and were treated with a chronic immunosuppressive regimen. The pathologic features of acute humoral xenograft rejection (AHXR), acute cellular xenograft rejection (ACXR) and chronic rejection were assessed in the grafts. No hyperacute rejection developed and one graft survived up to 6 months after transplantation. However, all GalT-KO heart grafts underwent graft failure with AHXR, ACXR and/or chronic rejection. AHXR was characterized by interstitial hemorrhage and multiple thrombi in vessels of various sizes. ACXR was characterized by TUNEL(+) graft cell injury with the infiltration of T cells (including CD3 and TIA-1(+) cytotoxic T cells), CD4(+) cells, CD8(+) cells, macrophages and a small number of B and NK cells. Chronic xenograft vasculopathy, a manifestation of chronic rejection, was characterized by arterial intimal thickening with TUNEL(+) dead cells, antibody and complement deposition, and/or cytotoxic T-cell infiltration. In conclusion, despite the absence of the Gal epitope, acute and chronic antibody and cell-mediated rejection developed in grafts, maintained by chronic immunosupression, presumably due to de novo responses to non-Gal antigens.

Pig-to-nonhuman primate islet xenotransplantation: a review of current problems.

Islet allotransplantation has been shown to have potential as a treatment for type 1 diabetic patients. Xenotransplantation, using the pig as a donor, offers the possibility of an unlimited number of islets. This comprehensive review focuses on experience obtained in pig-to-nonhuman primate models, particularly with regard to the different types of islets (fetal, neonatal, adult) and isolation procedures used, and the methods to determine islet viability. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods to induce diabetes (pancreatectomy, streptozotocin) are discussed. Experience in pig-to-nonhuman primate islet transplantation studies is reviewed, including discussion of the possible mechanisms of rejection and the immunosuppressive regimens used. The research carried out to date has led to workable animal models to study islet xenotransplantation, but several questions regarding methodology remain unanswered, and details of these practicalities require to be adequately addressed. The encouraging porcine islet survival reported recently provides an indicator for future immunosuppressive regimens.

Troponin T levels in baboons with pig heterotopic heart transplants.

Troponin T levels have been monitored in baboons (n = 8) undergoing pig heterotopic heart transplantation, and correlated with a decrease in graft contractions and graft survival. Pig heart graft survival was from 12 to 139 days (mean 45, median 33), and graft failure was associated with predominant thrombotic microangiopathy and ischemia, with focal hemorrhage, and edema. An increase in troponin T levels 5 to 6 days before graft failure correlated closely with diminished graft contractions. An increase in troponin T was a reliable indicator that graft dysfunction was occurring.