ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the role and potential mechanism of interleukin (IL)-18/IL-18 binding protein (BP) in mediating the killing effect of natural killer (NK)-92MI cells upon endothelial cells from α-1, 3- galactosyltransferase gene-knockout (GTKO) porcine models. Methods NK-92MI cells were divided into the NK, NK+IL-18, NK+GTKO, IL-18+NK+GTKO and IL-18+IL-18BP+NK+GTKO groups. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of inflammation-related genes in NK-92MI cells were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The killing effect of NK-92MI cells on endothelial cells from GTKO porcine models was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The apoptosis of endothelial cells from GTKO porcine models was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The expression levels of proteins with killing effect and apoptosis-related proteins were determined by Western blot. Results Compared with the NK, NK+IL-18 and NK+GTKO groups, the expression levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-8, IL-3, IL-6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mRNA were up-regulated in NK-92MI cells in the IL-18+NK+GTKO group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the IL-18+NK+GTKO group, the expression levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-3, IL-6 and GM-CSF mRNA were down-regulated in NK-92MI cells in the IL-18+IL-18BP+NK+GTKO group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the NK+GTKO group, the expression levels of perforin, granzyme B and IFN-γ proteins in NK-92MI cells were up-regulated, the killing rate of NK-92MI cells against endothelial cells from GTKO porcine models was enhanced, the apoptosis rate of endothelial cells from GTKO porcine models was increased, and the ratios of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax)/Bcl-2 and cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 in endothelial cells from GTKO porcine models were elevated in the IL-18+NK+GTKO group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the IL-18+NK+GTKO group, the expression levels of perforin, granzyme B and IFN-γ proteins were down-regulated, the killing rate of NK-92MI cells against endothelial cells from GTKO porcine models was decreased, the apoptosis rate of endothelial cells from GTKO porcine models was decreased, and the ratios of Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 in endothelial cells from GTKO porcine models were declined in the IL-18+IL-18BP+NK+GTKO group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusions IL-18BP may block the expression of inflammation-related genes in NK-92MI cells induced by IL-18 and the killing effect of NK-92MI cells on endothelial cells from GTKO porcine models.
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Objective To investigate the establishment of a six-gene-edited pig-to-non-human primate kidney xenotransplantation model. Methods The kidney of humanized genetically-edited pig (GTKO/β4GalNT2KO/CMAHKO/hCD55/hCD46/hTBM) was transplanted into a cynomolgus monkey. The survival of the recipient and kidney condition after blood perfusion were observed. The parenchymal echo, blood flow changes, and size of the kidney were monitored on a regular basis. Routine blood test, kidney function test and electrolyte assessment were carried out. Dynamic changes of urine, feces and body mass were monitored. At the end of life, the transplant kidney, heart, liver, spleen, lung, and cecum were collected for pathological examination. Results The recipient died at postoperative 7 d. After blood flow was restored, the kidney was properly perfused, the organ was soft and the color was normal. At the end of the recipient's life, a slight amount of purulent secretion was attached to the ventral side of the kidney, with evident congestion and swelling, showing the appearance of "red kidney". Postoperatively, the echo of renal parenchyma was increased, blood flow was decreased, the cortex was gradually thickened, and a slight amount of effusion surrounded the kidney and abdominal cavity over time. In the recipient, the amount of peripheral red blood cells, hemoglobin, albumin, and platelets was progressively decreased, and serum creatinine level was increased to 308 μmol/L at postoperative 7 d, whereas the K+ concentration did not significantly change. Light yellow urine was discharged immediately after surgery, diet and drinking water were resumed within postoperative 3 h, and light yellow and normal-shape stool was discharged. The reddish urine was gradually restored to normal color within postoperative 1 d, which were consistent with the results of the routine urine test. A large amount of brown bloody stool was discharged twice in the morning of 2 d after surgery. Omeprazole was given for acid suppression, and the stool returned to normal at postoperative 4 d. The β2-microglobulin level was increased to 0.75 mg/L at postoperative 7 d. The body mass was increased by 1.7 kg. Autopsy pathological examination showed interstitial edema and bleeding of the transplant kidney, a large amount of infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages, infiltration of lymphocytes in the arteriole wall and arterial cavity, accompanied by arteritis changes, lymphocyte infiltration in the cecal stroma and congestion in the spleen tissues. No significant abnormal changes were observed in other organs. Conclusions The humanized genetically-edited pig-to-non-human primate kidney xenotransplantation model is successfully established, and postoperative survival of the recipient is 1 week.
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Objective To investigate the optimal condition for the detection of anti-non-galactose (Gal) xenoantigen and antibody in human serum.Mehtods Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) obtained from Wuzhishan miniature pig models with α-1,3-galactosyltransferase gene knockout (GTKO) were used as target cells,mixed and incubated with healthy human serum of different concentrations (4.8％,16.7％ and 100％) for 0.5,1.0,2.0,3.0 and 6.0 h,respectively.The abilities of PBMC to bind with IgM and IgG were detected by flow cytometry.Results At the serum concentration of 16.7％,the ability ofnon-Gal IgM to bind with PBMC was significantly enhanced from 0.5 h to 3.0 h incubation (P＜0.01),whereas no statistical significance was noted in terms of IgG (P＞0.05).Increasing serum concentration could also enhance the ability of non-Gal IgM to bind with PBMC.At the serum concentration of 100％ and incubation for 3 h,the ability of IgM to bind with PBMC was the highest among all groups (P＜0.01).At the serum concentration of 100％ and incubation for 6 h,the ability of IgG to bind with PBMC was significantly enhanced (P＜0.05).Prolonging incubation time and increasing serum concentration did not affect the activity of PBMC.Conclusions The optimal condition for detection of anti-non-Gal xenoantigen and antibody is determined.A quantity of 1×105 PBMC from pig should be incubated with 100％ human serum for 3 h for detection of IgM level,or incubated with 100％ human serum for 6 h for measurement of IgG level.This optimized condition contributes to screening the donor pigs which lowly express non-Gal antigen.
ABSTRACT
To summarize the breeding and identification of Wuzhishan miniature pig models with α-l,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene-knockout (GTKO).Methods The breeding and reproduction perform of GTKO Wuzhishan miniature pigs were assessed and the quantity of piglets was counted.The GTKO Wuzhishan miniature pig models with GGTA1gene knockout were validated by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The αGal phenotype of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in human,wild-type Wuzhishan miniature pigs and GTKO Wuzhishan miniature pigs was detected by fluorescent microscope and flow cytometry.Routine blood test parameters were statistically compared between the GTKO and wild-type Wuzhishan miniature pigs.Results The inheritance of GGTA1 genotype complied with Mendel's law.Flow cytometry detected no fluorescent expression of PBMC in GGTA1-/-pig models,which were consistent with the genotype identification results.The mean piglets of the primiparous GTKO Wuzhishan miniature pigs were (6.8±1.8) and (8.3±2.2) for the multiparous Wuzhishan miniature pigs.No statistical significance was noted in routine blood test parameters between the GTKO and wild-type Wuzhishan miniature pigs (all P＞0.05).Conclusions Stable inheritance and normal reproductive capacity are observed in two generations of Wuzhishan miniature pigs continuously.GTKO Wuzhishan miniature pig is a reliable donor for heterogeneous organ transplantation.