A humanized mouse model to study human immune response in xenotransplantation

BACKGROUND: A major barrier to the clinical application of xenotransplantation as a treatment option for patients is T cell-mediated rejection. Studies based on experimental rodent models of xenograft tolerance or rejection in vivo have provided useful information about the role of T cell immune response in xenotransplantation. However not all observations seen in rodents faithfully recapitulate the human situation This study aimed to establish a humanized mouse model of xenotransplantation, which mimics xenograft rejection in the context of the human immune system. METHODS: NOD-SCID IL2rγ -/- mice were transplanted with neonatal porcine islet cell clusters (NICC) followed by reconstitution of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Human leukocyte engraftment and islet xenograft rejection were confirmed by flow cytometric and histological analyses. RESULTS: In the absence of human PBMC, porcine NICC transplanted into NOD-SCID IL2rγ -/- mice revealed excellent graft integrity and endocrine function. Human PBMC demonstrated a high level of engraftment in NOD-SCID IL2rγ -/- mice. Reconstitution of NICC recipient NOD-SCID IL2rγ -/- mice with human PBMC led to the rapid destruction of NICC xenografts in a PBMC number-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Human PBMC-reconstituted NOD-SCID IL2rγ -/- mice provide an ideal model to study human immune responses in xenotransplantation. Studies based on this humanized mouse model will provide insight for improving the outcomes of clinical xenotransplantation.

Pig islets for islet xenotransplantation： current status and future perspectives

Objective To review the current status and progress on pig islet xenotransplantation.Data sources Data used in this review were mainly from English literature of Pubmed database.The search terms were ＂pig islet＂ and ＂xenotransplantation＂.Study selection The original articles and critical reviews selected were relevant to this review＇s theme.Results Pigs are suggested to be an ideal candidate for obtaining available islet cells for transplantation.However,the potential clinical application of pig islet is still facing challenges including inadequate yield of high-quality functional islets and xenorejection of the transplants.The former can be overcome mainly by selection of a suitable pathogen-free source herd and the development of isolation and purification technology.While the feasibility of successful preclinical pig islet xenotranplantation provides insights in the possible mechanisms of xenogeneic immune recognition and rejection to overwhelm the latter.In addition,the achievement of long-term insulin independence in diabetic models by means of distinct islet products and novel immunotherapeutic strategies is promising.Conclusions Pig islet xenotransplantation is one of the prospective treatments to bridge the gap between the needs of transplantation in patients with diabetes and available islet cells.Nonetheless,further studies and efforts are needed to translate obtained findings into tangible applications.