Preformed human anti-gal antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM) bind to alpha-galactosyl-containing epitopes on pig cells, suggesting they could be an important factor in hyperacute rejection of pig organs in xenotransplantation.
Anti-gal antibodies may contribute to hyperacute xenorejection; hypothesis-generating for epitope-targeted strategies in pig-to-human transplantation.
Preformed human anti-pig antibodies isolated from perfused pig hearts were used to analyze the binding of various immunoglobulin classes to cultured pig kidney cells. All anti-pig immunoglobulins (i.e., IgG, IgA, and IgM) were localized on the cell surface by the use of an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Anti-pig immunoglobulins also competed for the pig cell surface epitopes with Griffonia simplicifolia lectin (GS-I-B4), which is specific for alpha-galactosyl residues. This study provides further evidence that preformed human antibodies recognizing alpha-galactosyl-containing epitopes (anti-gal antibodies) could be an important factor in hyperacute rejection of pig organs.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Koren et al. (1993) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 4 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: