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Progress and prospects: genetic engineering in xenotransplantation

Gene Therapy volume 15, pages 1247–1256 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

In this review, we summarize the work published over the last 2 years using genetic modifications of animals in the field of xenotransplantation. Genetic engineering of the donor has become a powerful tool in xenotransplantation, both for the inactivation of one particular porcine gene and for the addition of human genes with the goal of overcoming xenogeneic barriers. We summarize the work relative to the knockout of the α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene, followed by genetic engineering aimed at reducing the humoral and cellular immune response, complement activation and coagulation. Finally, we report on the genetic modification of pigs to reduce porcine endogenous retrovirus infection risk in the xenogeneic context.

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Acknowledgements

Xenotransplantation research in our laboratory is supported by an integrated project grant from the European Union (no. LSHB-CT-2006-037377) within the sixth Framework Program, Xenome consortium, as well as by the Fondations Centaure and Progreffe and INSERM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM, U643, Nantes, France; CHU Nantes, Institut de Transplantation et de Recherche en Transplantation, ITERT, Nantes, France; Université de Nantes, Faculté de Médecine, Nantes, France

    S Le Bas-Bernardet, I Anegon & G Blancho

  2. Service de Néphrologie, Immunologie Clinique et Transplantation, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France

    G Blancho

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  1. S Le Bas-Bernardet
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Correspondence to G Blancho.

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Le Bas-Bernardet, S., Anegon, I. & Blancho, G. Progress and prospects: genetic engineering in xenotransplantation. Gene Ther 15, 1247–1256 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/gt.2008.119

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