Background: αGal-deficient xenografts are protected from hyperacute rejection during xenotransplantation but are still rejected more rapidly than allografts. Despite studies showing the roles of non-Gal antibodies and αβ T cells in xenograft rejection, the involvement of γδ T cells in xenograft rejection has been limitedly investigated.
Methods: Six male cynomolgus monkeys were transplanted with porcine vessel xenografts from wild-type (n = 3) or GGTA1 knockout (n = 3) pigs. We measured the proportions and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires of blood γδ T cells before and after xenotransplant. Grafted porcine vessel-infiltrating immune cells were visualized at the end of experiments.
Results: Blood γδ T cells expanded and infiltrated into the graft vessel adventitia following xenotransplantation of α-Gal-deficient pig blood vessels. Pre- and post-transplant analysis of γδ TCR repertoire revealed a transition in δ chain usage post-transplantation, with the expansion of several clonotypes of δ1, δ3, or δ7 chains. Furthermore, the distinctions between pre- and post-transplant δ chain usages were more prominent than those observed for γ chain usages.
Conclusion: γδ TCR repertoire was significantly altered by xenotransplantation, suggesting the role of γδ T cells in sustained xenoreactive immune responses.
We present an updated report highlighting significant developments in the field of xenotransplantation since March 2023. The past six months have witnessed significant strides in the field and the emergence of novel research that is expected to facilitate the journey towards clinical trials. We are reviewing here the most pertinent findings from March 2023 to November 2023.
The 2023 IXA conference, hosted in San Diego, CA, brimmed with excitement against the backdrop of recent innovations in both the pre-clinical and clinical realms with several first-in-human applications of xenotransplantation. The theme, "Pigs are flying," alluded to the adage that xenotransplantation would only become a clinical reality "when pigs fly," suggesting a day that might never come. The event witnessed significant attendance, with 600 participants-the highest in the history of an IXA-IPITA joint congress. Among the attendees were members of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and corporate sponsors deeply engaged in the field. We summarize the latest topics from the congress, ranging from the pros/cons of decedent models of xenotransplantation and genetic engineering of porcine heart valves, solid organs, and cells for clinical translation and their regulatory and ethical landscape.
Background: Porcine tissues display a great potential as donor tissues in xenotransplantation, including cell therapy. Cryopreserving clinical grade porcine tissue and using it as a source for establishing therapeutic cells should be advantageous for transportation and scheduled manufacturing of MSCs. Of note, we previously performed encapsulated porcine islet transplantation for the treatment of unstable type 1 diabetes mellitus in the clinical setting. It has been reported that co-transplantation of islets and Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) enhanced efficacy. We assume that co-transplantation of porcine islets and porcine islet-derived MSCs could improve the efficacy of clinical islet xenotransplantation.
Methods: MSCs were established from fresh and cryopreserved non-clinical grade neonatal porcine islets and bone marrow (termed non-clinical grade npISLET-MSCs and npBM-MSCs, respectively), as well as from cryopreserved clinical grade neonatal porcine islets (termed clinical grade npISLET-MSCs). Subsequently, the cell proliferation rate and diameter, surface marker expression, adipogenesis, osteogenesis, and colony-forming efficiency of the MSCs were assessed.
Results: Cell proliferation rate and diameter did not differ between clinical grade and non-clinical grade npISLET-MSCs. However, non-clinical grade npBM-MSCs were significantly shorter and smaller than both npISLET-MSCs (p < 0.05). MSC markers (CD29, CD44, and CD90) were strongly expressed in clinical grade npISLET-MSCs and non-clinical grade npISLET-MSCs and npBM-MSCs. The expression of MSC-negative markers CD31, CD34, and SLA-DR was low in all MSCs. Clinical grade npISLET-MSCs derived from adipose and osteoid tissues were positive for Oil Red and alkaline phosphatase staining. The results of colony-forming assay were not significantly different between clinical grade npISLET-MSCs and non-clinical grade npBM-MSCs.
Conclusion: The method described herein was successful in of developing clinical grade npISLET-MSCs from cryopreserved islets. Cryopreserved clinical grade porcine islets could be an excellent stable source of MSCs for cell therapy.