Anti-C5 Antibody Tesidolumab Reduces Early Antibody-mediated Rejection and Prolongs Survival in Renal Xenotransplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Pig-to-primate renal xenotransplantation is plagued by early antibody-mediated graft loss which precludes clinical application of renal xenotransplantation. We evaluated whether temporary complement inhibition with anti-C5 antibody Tesidolumab could minimize the impact of early antibody-mediated rejection in rhesus monkeys receiving pig kidneys receiving costimulatory blockade-based immunosuppression. METHODS: Double (Gal and Sda) and triple xenoantigen (Gal, Sda, and SLA I) pigs were created using CRISPR/Cas. Kidneys from DKO and TKO pigs were transplanted into rhesus monkeys that had the least reactive crossmatches. Recipients received anti-C5 antibody weekly for 70 days, and T cell depletion, anti-CD154, mycophenolic acid, and steroids as baseline immunosuppression (n = 7). Control recipients did not receive anti-C5 therapy (n = 10). RESULTS: Temporary anti-C5 therapy reduced early graft loss secondary to antibody-mediated rejection and improved graft survival (P < 0.01). Deleting class I MHC (SLA I) in donor pigs did not ameliorate early antibody-mediated rejection (table). Anti-C5 therapy did not allow for the use of tacrolimus instead of anti-CD154 (table), prolonging survival to a maximum of 62 days. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of the C5 complement subunit prolongs renal xenotransplant survival in a pig to non-human primate model.

The Possible Role of Anti-Neu5Gc as an Obstacle in Xenotransplantation.

Seventy to ninety percentage of preformed xenoreactive antibodies in human serum bind to the galactose-α(1,3)-galactose Gal epitope, and the creation of Gal knockout (KO) pigs has eliminated hyperacute rejection as a barrier to xenotransplantation. Now other glycan antigens are barriers to move ahead with xenotransplantation, and the N-glycolyl neuraminic acid, Neu5Gc (or Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen), is also a major pig xenoantigen. Humans have anti-Neu5Gc antibodies. Several data indicate a strong immunogenicity of Neu5Gc in humans that may contribute to an important part in antibody-dependent injury to pig xenografts. Pig islets express Neu5Gc, which reacted with diet-derived human antibodies and mice deleted for Neu5Gc reject pancreatic islets from wild-type counterpart. However, Neu5Gc positive heart were not rejected in Neu5Gc KO mice indicating that the role of Neu5Gc-specific antibodies has to be nuanced and depend of the graft situation parameters (organ/tissue, recipient, implication of other glycan antigens). Recently generated Gal/Neu5Gc KO pigs eliminate the expression of Gal and Neu5Gc, and improve the crossmatch of humans with the pig. This review summarizes the current and recent experimental and (pre)clinical data on the Neu5Gc immunogenicity and emphasize of the potential impact of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in limiting xenotransplantation in humans.

Importance of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (Swine Leukocyte Antigen) in Swine Health and Biomedical Research.

In pigs, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) complex, maps to Sus scrofa chromosome 7. It consists of three regions, the class I and class III regions mapping to 7p1.1 and the class II region mapping to 7q1.1. The swine MHC is divided by the centromere, which is unique among mammals studied to date. The SLA complexspans between 2.4 and 2.7 Mb, depending on haplotype, and encodes approximately 150 loci, with at least 120 genes predicted to be functional. Here we update the whole SLA complex based on the Sscrofa11.1 build and annotate the organization for all recognized SLA genes and their allelic sequences. We present SLA nomenclature and typing methods and discuss the expression of SLA proteins, as well as their role in antigen presentation and immune, disease, and vaccine responses. Finally, we explore the role of SLA genes in transplantation and xenotransplantation and their importance in swine biomedical models.

Examining epitope mutagenesis as a strategy to reduce and eliminate human antibody binding to class II swine leukocyte antigens.

Xenotransplantation of pig organs into people may help alleviate the critical shortage of donors which faces organ transplantation. Unfortunately, human antibodies vigorously attack pig tissues preventing the clinical application of xenotransplantation. The swine leukocyte antigens (SLA), homologs of human HLA molecules, can be xenoantigens. SLA molecules, encoded by genes in the pig major histocompatibility complex, contribute to protective immune responses in pig. Therefore, simply inactivating them through genome engineering could reduce the ability of the human immune system to surveil transplanted pig organs for infectious disease or the development of neoplasms. A potential solution to this problem is to identify and modify epitopes in SLA proteins to eliminate their contribution to humoral xenoantigenicity while retaining their biosynthetic competence and ability to contribute to protective immunity. We previously showed that class II SLA proteins were recognized as xenoantigens and mutating arginine at position 55 to proline, in an SLA-DQ beta chain, could reduce human antibody binding. Here, we extend these observations by creating several additional point mutants at position 55. Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for class II SLA proteins, we show that these mutants remain biosynthetically competent. Examining antibody binding to these variants shows that point mutagenesis can reduce, eliminate, or increase antibody binding to class II SLA proteins. Individual mutations can have opposite effects on antibody binding when comparing samples from different people. We also performed a preliminary analysis of creating point mutants near to position 55 to demonstrate that manipulating additional residues also affects antibody reactivity.

HLA Class I-sensitized Renal Transplant Patients Have Antibody Binding to SLA Class I Epitopes.

BACKGROUND: Highly sensitized patients are difficult to match with suitable renal allograft donors and may benefit from xenotransplant trials. We evaluate antibody binding from sensitized patients to pig cells and engineered single allele cells to identify anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody cross-species reactivity with swine leukocyte antigen (SLA). These novel testing strategies assess HLA/SLA epitopes and antibody-binding patterns and introduce genetic engineering of SLA epitopes. METHODS: Sensitized patient sera were grouped by calculated panel reactive antibody and luminex single antigen reactivity profile and were tested with cloned GGTA1/CMAH/B4GalNT2 glycan knockout porcine cells. Pig reactivity was assessed by direct flow cytometric crossmatch and studied following elution from pig cells. To study the antigenicity of individual class I HLA and SLA alleles in cells, irrelevant sera binding to lymphoblastoid cells were minimized by CRISPR/Cas9 elimination of endogenous class I and class II HLA, B-cell receptor, and Fc receptor genes. Native HLA, SLA, and mutants of these proteins after mutating 144K to Q were assessed for antibody binding. RESULTS: Those with predominately anti-HLA-B&C antibodies, including Bw6 and Bw4 sensitization, frequently have low pig reactivity. Conversely, antibodies eluted from porcine cells are more commonly anti-HLA-A. Single HLA/SLA expressing engineered cells shows variable antigenicity and mutation of 144K to Q reduces antibody binding for some sensitized patients. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-HLA antibodies cross-react with SLA class I in predictable patterns, which can be identified with histocompatibility strategies, and SLA class I is a possible target of genetic engineering.

Long-term survival of pig-to-rhesus macaque renal xenografts is dependent on CD4 T cell depletion.

The shortage of available organs remains the greatest barrier to expanding access to transplant. Despite advances in genetic editing and immunosuppression, survival in experimental models of kidney xenotransplant has generally been limited to <100 days. We found that pretransplant selection of recipients with low titers of anti-pig antibodies significantly improved survival in a pig-to-rhesus macaque kidney transplant model (6 days vs median survival time 235 days). Immunosuppression included transient pan-T cell depletion and an anti-CD154-based maintenance regimen. Selective depletion of CD4+ T cells but not CD8+ T cells resulted in long-term survival (median survival time >400 days vs 6 days). These studies suggested that CD4+ T cells may have a more prominent role in xenograft rejection compared with CD8+ T cells. Although animals that received selective depletion of CD8+ T cells showed signs of early cellular rejection (marked CD4+ infiltrates), animals receiving selective CD4+ depletion exhibited normal biopsy results until late, when signs of chronic antibody rejection were present. In vitro study results suggested that rhesus CD4+ T cells required the presence of SLA class II to mount an effective proliferative response. The combination of low pretransplant anti-pig antibody and CD4 depletion resulted in consistent, long-term xenograft survival.

The desirable donor pig to eliminate all xenoreactive antigens.

The humoral barrier has been the limiting factor in moving xenotransplantation towards the clinic. Improvements in somatic cell nuclear transfer and genome editing, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, have made it possible to create pigs with multiple glycan xenoantigen deletions for the purposes of reducing xenoreactive antibody binding to the xenografted organ. Recent studies have also considered the aetiology and existence of antibodies directed at the swine leucocyte antigen (SLA) complex, and potential genetic engineering strategies to avoid these antibodies. Evaluation of xenoreactive antibody binding is very important for the advancement of xenotransplantation, because if patients do not have any detectable xenoreactive antibody, then it is reasonable to expect that cellular rejection and not antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) will be the next hurdle to clinical application.

CRISPR/Cas and recombinase-based human-to-pig orthotopic gene exchange for xenotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: Tools for genome editing in pigs are improving rapidly so that making precise cuts in DNA for the purposes of deleting genes is straightforward. Development of means to replace pig genes with human genes with precision is very desirable for the future development of donor pigs for xenotransplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used Cas9 to cut pig thrombomodulin (pTHBD) and replace it with a plasmid containing a promoterless antibiotic selection marker and the exon for human thrombomodulin. PhiC31 recombinase was used to remove the antibiotic selection marker to create porcine aortic endothelial cells expressing human instead of pTHBD, driven by the endogenous pig promoter. RESULTS: The promoterless selection cassette permitted efficient enrichment of cells containing correctly inserted transgene. Recombinase treatment of selected cells excised the resistance marker permitting expression of the human transgene by the endogenous pTHBD promoter. Gene regulation was maintained after gene replacement because pig endogenous promoter was kept intact in the correct position. CONCLUSIONS: Cas9 and recombinase technology make orthotopic human for pig gene exchange feasible and pave the way for creation of pigs with human genes that can be expressed in the appropriate tissues preserving gene regulation.

Swine Leukocyte Antigen Class II Is a Xenoantigen.

BACKGROUND: Over 130 000 patients in the United States alone need a lifesaving organ transplant. Genetically modified porcine organs could resolve the donor organ shortage, but human xenoreactive antibodies destroy pig cells and are the major barrier to clinical application of xenotransplantation. The objective of this study was to determine whether waitlisted patients possess preformed antibodies to swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class II, homologs of the class II HLA. METHODS: Sera from people currently awaiting solid organ transplant were tested for IgG binding to class II SLA proteins when expressed on mammalian cells. Pig fibroblasts were made positive by transfection with the class II transactivator. As a second expression system, transgenes encoding the alpha and beta chains of class II SLA were transfected into human embryonic kidney cells. RESULTS: Human sera containing IgG specific for class II HLA molecules exhibited greater binding to class II SLA positive cells than to SLA negative cells. Sera lacking antibodies against class II HLA showed no change in binding regardless of the presence of class II SLA. These antibodies could recognize either SLA-DR or SLA-DQ complexes. CONCLUSIONS: Class II SLA proteins may behave as xenoantigens for people with humoral immunity toward class II HLA molecules.

Efficient generation of targeted and controlled mutational events in porcine cells using nuclease-directed homologous recombination.

BACKGROUND: Nuclease-based genome editing has rapidly sped the creation of new models of human disease. These techniques also hold great promise for the future of clinical xenotransplantation and cell-based therapies for cancer or immunodeficient pathology. However, to fully realize the potential of nuclease editing tools, the efficiency and precision of their application must be optimized. The object of this study was to use nonintegrating selection and nuclease-directed homologous recombination to efficiently control the genetic modification of the porcine genome. METHODS: Clustered randomly integrating spaced palindromic repeats and associated Cas9 protein (CRISPR/Cas9)-directed mutagenesis with a single-guide RNA target was designed to target the alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase locus (GGTA1) of the porcine genome. A vector expressing a single-guide RNA, Cas9 protein, and green fluorescent protein was used to increase plasmid-delivered mutational efficiency when coupled with fluorescence sorting. Single and double-strand DNA oligonucleotides with a restriction site replacing the start codon were created with variable homology lengths surrounding the mutational event site. Finally, a transgene construct was flanked with 50 base pairs of homology directed immediately 5' to a nuclease cut site. These products were introduced to cells with a constant concentration of CRISPR/cas9 vector. Phenotype-specific mutational efficiency was measured by flow cytometer. Controlled homologous insertion was measured by Sanger sequence, restriction enzyme digest and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Expression of a fluorescence protein on the Cas9 vector functioned as a nonintegrating selection marker. Selection by this marker increased phenotype-silencing mutation rates from 3.5% to 82% (P = 0.0002). Insertion or deletion mutation increased from 11% to 96% (P = 0.0007). Co-transfection with homologous DNA oligonucleotides increased the aggregate phenotype-silencing mutation rates up to 22% and increased biallelic events. Single-strand DNA was twice as efficient as double-strand DNA. Furthermore, nuclease-mediated insertion by homology-directed repair successfully drove locus-specific transgene expression in the porcine genome. CONCLUSIONS: A nonintegrating selection strategy based on fluorescence expression can increase the mutational efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The precision of this system can be increased by the addition of a very short homologous template sequence and can serve as a method for locus-specific transgene delivery. Together these strategies may be used to efficiently control mutational events. This system may be used to better use the potential of nuclease-mediated genomic editing.

Eliminating Xenoantigen Expression on Swine RBC.

BACKGROUND: The rapidly improving tools of genetic engineering may make it possible to overcome the humoral immune barrier that prevents xenotransplantation. We hypothesize that levels of human antibody binding to donor tissues from swine must approximate the antibody binding occurring in allotransplantation. It is uncertain if this is an attainable goal. Here we perform an initial analysis of this issue by comparing human antibody binding to red blood cells (RBC) isolated from knockout swine and to allogeneic or autologous human RBC. METHODS: Human sera were incubated with RBC isolated from various genetically engineered swine or from humans. The level of IgG and IgM binding to these cells were compared using either flow cytometry or a novel mass spectrometric assay. RESULTS: Mass spectroscopic quantitation of human antibody binding demonstrated that as few as 3 gene inactivations can reduce the levels human antibody binding to swine RBC that is as low as autologous human RBC. Flow cytometry showed that RBC from 2-gene knockout swine exhibited less human antibody binding than human blood group O allogeneic RBC in 22% of tested sera. Deletion of a third gene from pigs resulted in 30% of human samples having less IgG and IgM RBC xenoreactivity than alloreactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Xenoantigenicity of swine RBC can be eliminated via gene disruption. These results suggest that the gene knockout approach may be able reduce antigenicity in other pig tissues to levels that enable the xenotransplantation humoral barrier to be overcome.

Silencing porcine genes significantly reduces human-anti-pig cytotoxicity profiles: an alternative to direct complement regulation.

UNLABELLED: The future of solid organ transplantation is challenged by an increasing shortage of available allografts. Xenotransplantation of genetically modified porcine organs offers an answer to this problem. Strategies of genetic modification have 'humanized' the porcine model towards clinical relevance. Most notably, these approaches have aimed at either antigen reduction or human transgene expression. The object of this study was to evaluate the relative effects of both antigen reduction and direct complement regulation on the human-anti-porcine complement dependent cytotoxicity response. Genetically modified animals were created through CRISPR/Cas9-directed mutation and human transgene delivery. Pigs doubly deficient in GGTA1 and CMAH genes were compared to pigs of the same background that expressed a human complement regulatory protein (hCRP). A third animal was made deficient in GGTA1, CMAH and B4GalNT2 gene expression. Cells from these animals were subjected to measures of human antibody binding and antibody-mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity by flow cytometry. Human IgG and IgM antibody binding was unchanged between the double knockout and the transgenic hCRP double knockout pig. IgG and IgM binding was reduced by 49.1 and 43.2 % respectively by silencing the B4GalNT2 gene. Compared to the double knockout, human anti-porcine cytotoxicity was reduced by 8 % with the addition of a hCRP (p = .032); It was reduced by 21 % with silencing the B4GalNT2 gene (p = .012). CONCLUSIONS: Silencing the GGTA1, CMAH and B4GalNT2 genes in pigs achieved a significant antigen reduction. Changing the porcine carbohydrate profile effectively mediates human antibody-mediated complement dependent cytoxicity.

Silencing the porcine iGb3s gene does not affect Galα3Gal levels or measures of anticipated pig-to-human and pig-to-primate acute rejection.

BACKGROUND: The Galα(1,3)Gal epitope (α-GAL), created by α-1,3-glycosyltransferase-1 (GGTA1), is a major xenoantigen causing hyperacute rejection in pig-to-primate and pig-to-human xenotransplantation. In response, GGTA1 gene-deleted pigs have been generated. However, it is unclear whether there is a residual small amount of α-Gal epitope expressed in GGTA1(-/-) pigs. Isoglobotrihexosylceramide synthase (iGb3s), another member of the glycosyltransferase family, catalyzes the synthesis of isoglobo-series glycosphingolipids with an α-GAL-terminal disaccharide (iGb3), creating the possibility that iGb3s may be a source of α-GAL epitopes in GGTA1(-/-) animals. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of silencing the iGb3s gene (A3GalT2) on pig-to-primate and pig-to-human immune cross-reactivity by creating and comparing GGTA1(-/-) pigs to GGTA1(-/-) - and A3GalT2(-/-) -double-knockout pigs. METHODS: We used the CRISPR/Cas 9 system to target the GGTA1 and A3GalT2 genes in pigs. Both GGTA1 and A3GalT2 genes are functionally inactive in humans and baboons. CRISPR-treated cells used directly for somatic cell nuclear transfer produced single- and double-gene-knockout piglets in a single pregnancy. Once grown to maturity, the glycosphingolipid profile (including iGb3) was assayed in renal tissue by normal-phase liquid chromatography. In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were subjected to (i) comparative cross-match cytotoxicity analysis against human and baboon serum and (ii) IB4 staining for α-GAL/iGb3. RESULTS: Silencing of the iGb3s gene significantly modulated the renal glycosphingolipid profile and iGb3 was not detected. Moreover, the human and baboon serum PBMC cytotoxicity and α-GAL/iGb3 staining were unchanged by iGb3s silencing. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that iGb3s is not a contributor to antibody-mediated rejection in pig-to-primate or pig-to-human xenotransplantation. Although iGb3s gene silencing significantly changed the renal glycosphingolipid profile, the effect on Galα3Gal levels, antibody binding, and cytotoxic profiles of baboon and human sera on porcine PBMCs was neutral.

Immunogenicity of Renal Microvascular Endothelial Cells From Genetically Modified Pigs.

BACKGROUND: Disrupting the porcine GGTA1 and CMAH genes [double knockout (DKO)] that produce the gal-α(1,3)-gal and N-glycolylneuraminic acid xenoantigens reduces human antibody binding to porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. It is important to examine rejection pathways at an organ-specific level. The object of this study is to evaluate the human preformed antibody reactivity against DKO renal microvascular endothelial cells (RMEC) in vitro. METHODS: Characteristics of DKO RMEC were analyzed using flow cytometry. Human IgG/M binding to primary RMEC, immortalized RMEC (iRMEC), and iRMEC-deficient in B4GALNT2 genes were examined using flow cytometric crossmatch assay. RESULTS: Porcine RMEC expressed gal-α(1,3)-gal, N-glycolylneuraminic acid, and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin glycans recognized by human preexisting antibodies in humans. Antigenicity of DKO RMEC was lower than GGTA1 KO RMEC. The disruption of B4GALNT2 gene in DKO iRMEC further reduced human IgG/IgM binding. CONCLUSIONS: Silencing the porcine GGTA1, CMAH, and B4GALNT2 genes is an effective strategy to reduce human preformed antibody binding to RMEC. Porcine RMEC will be a useful reagent for the further study of xenoimmunology.

Silencing Porcine CMAH and GGTA1 Genes Significantly Reduces Xenogeneic Consumption of Human Platelets by Porcine Livers.

BACKGROUND: A profound thrombocytopenia limits hepatic xenotransplantation in the pig-to-primate model. Porcine livers also have shown the ability to phagocytose human platelets in the absence of immune-mediated injury. Recently, inactivation of the porcine ASGR1 gene has been shown to decrease this phenomenon. Inactivating GGTA1 and CMAH genes has reduced the antibody-mediated barrier to xenotransplantation; herein, we describe the effect that these modifications have on xenogeneic consumption of human platelets in the absence of immune-mediated graft injury. METHODS: Wild type (WT), ASGR1, GGTA1, and GGTA1CMAH knockout pigs were compared for their xenogeneic hepatic consumption of human platelets. An in vitro assay was established to measure the association of human platelets with liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) by immunohistochemistry. Perfusion models were used to measure human platelet uptake in livers from WT, ASGR1, GGTA1, and GGTA1 CMAH pigs. RESULTS: GGTA1, CMAH LSECs exhibited reduced levels of human platelet binding in vitro when compared with GGTA1 and WT LSECs. In a continuous perfusion model, GGTA1 CMAH livers consumed fewer human platelets than GGTA1 and WT livers. GGTA1 CMAH livers also consumed fewer human platelets than ASGR1 livers in a single-pass model. CONCLUSIONS: Silencing the porcine carbohydrate genes necessary to avoid antibody-mediated rejection in a pig-to-human model also reduces the xenogeneic consumption of human platelets by the porcine liver. The combination of these genetic modifications may be an effective strategy to limit the thrombocytopenia associated with pig-to-human hepatic xenotransplantation.

Modified glycan models of pig-to-human xenotransplantation do not enhance the human-anti-pig T cell response.

UNLABELLED: Genetically modified porcine models of pig-to-human xenotransplantation offer the most immediate answer to a growing shortage of available solid organs. Recently a modified porcine glycan model has been discovered that reduces human antibody binding to levels comparable with allograft standards. As this background provides an answer to the problem of acute humoral xenograft rejection (AHXR), it is important to consider the impact these modifications have on measures of cell-mediated rejection. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of currently relevant glycan knockout models of pig-to-human xenotransplantation in a lymphocyte proliferation assay. To accomplish these goals, genetically modified pigs were created through CRISPR/Cas9-directed silencing of the GGTA1, and CMAH genes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and spleen cells were obtained from these animals and used as a source of stimulation for human responders in one-way mixed lymphocyte reactions. The response was tested in the presence and absence of clinically available immunomodifiers. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically relevant glycan knockout models of pig-to-human xenotransplantation do not enhance the human-anti-pig cellular response. Currently available and conventional immunosuppression has the capacity to mediate the human xenogeneic T cell response to these knockout cells.

Recent advances in genome editing and creation of genetically modified pigs.

The field of xenotransplantation is benefiting greatly from recent advances in genetic engineering. The efficiency and pace with which new model animals are being created has dramatically sped progress towards clinical relevance. Endonuclease-driven genome editing now allows for the efficient generation of targeted genetic alterations. Herein we review the available methods of genetic engineering that have been successfully employed to create genetically modified pigs.

Pre-transplant antibody screening and anti-CD154 costimulation blockade promote long-term xenograft survival in a pig-to-primate kidney transplant model.

Xenotransplantation has the potential to alleviate the organ shortage that prevents many patients with end-stage renal disease from enjoying the benefits of kidney transplantation. Despite significant advances in other models, pig-to-primate kidney xenotransplantation has met limited success. Preformed anti-pig antibodies are an important component of the xenogeneic immune response. To address this, we screened a cohort of 34 rhesus macaques for anti-pig antibody levels. We then selected animals with both low and high titers of anti-pig antibodies to proceed with kidney transplant from galactose-α1,3-galactose knockout/CD55 transgenic pig donors. All animals received T-cell depletion followed by maintenance therapy with costimulation blockade (either anti-CD154 mAb or belatacept), mycophenolate mofetil, and steroid. The animal with the high titer of anti-pig antibody rejected the kidney xenograft within the first week. Low-titer animals treated with anti-CD154 antibody, but not belatacept exhibited prolonged kidney xenograft survival (>133 and >126 vs. 14 and 21 days, respectively). Long-term surviving animals treated with the anti-CD154-based regimen continue to have normal kidney function and preserved renal architecture without evidence of rejection on biopsies sampled at day 100. This description of the longest reported survival of pig-to-non-human primate kidney xenotransplantation, now >125 days, provides promise for further study and potential clinical translation.

Reduced human platelet uptake by pig livers deficient in the asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 protein.

BACKGROUND: The lethal thrombocytopenia that accompanies liver xenotransplantation is a barrier to clinical application. Human platelets are bound by the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR) on pig sinusoidal endothelial cells and phagocytosed. Inactivation of the ASGR1 gene in donor pigs may prevent xenotransplantation-induced thrombocytopenia. METHODS: Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) were targeted to the ASGR1 gene in pig liver-derived cells. ASGR1 deficient pig cells were used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). ASGR1 knock out (ASGR1-/-) fetal fibroblasts were used to produce healthy ASGR1 knock out piglets. Human platelet uptake was measured in ASGR1+/+ and ASGR1-/- livers. RESULTS: Targeted disruption of the ASGR1 gene with TALENs eliminated expression of the receptor. ASGR1-/- livers phagocytosed fewer human platelets than domestic porcine livers during perfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TALENs in liver-derived cells followed by SCNT enabled the production of healthy homozygous ASGR1 knock out pigs. Livers from ASGR1-/- pigs exhibit decreased human platelet uptake. Deletion of the ASGR1 gene is a viable strategy to diminish platelet destruction in pig-to-human xenotransplantation.

Efficient generation of genetically distinct pigs in a single pregnancy using multiplexed single-guide RNA and carbohydrate selection.

BACKGROUND: Manipulating the pig genome to increase compatibility with human biology may facilitate the clinical application of xenotransplantation. Genetic modifications to pig cells have been made by sequential recombination in fetal fibroblasts and liver-derived cells followed by cross-breeding or somatic cell nuclear transfer. The generation of pigs for research or organ donation by these methods is slow, expensive and requires technical expertise. A novel system incorporating the bacterial nuclease Cas9 and single-guide RNA targeting a 20 nucleotide site within a gene can be expressed from a single plasmid leading to a double-strand break and gene disruption. Coexpression of multiple unique single-guide RNA can modify several genetic loci in a single step. We describe a process for increasing the efficiency of selecting cells with multiple genetic modifications. METHODS: We used the CRISPR/Cas system to target the GGTA1, CMAH and putative iGb3S genes in pigs that have been naturally deleted in humans. Cells lacking galactose α-1,3 galactose (α-Gal) were negatively selected by an IB4 lectin/magnetic bead. α-Gal negative multiplexed single-guide RNA-treated cells were used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and transferred to fertile sows. We examined the levels of α-Gal and Neu5Gc expression of 32 day fetuses and piglets and analyzed the targeted genes by DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Liver-derived cells treated with multiple single-guide RNA and selected for an α-Gal null phenotype were significantly more likely to also carry mutations in simultaneously targeted genes. Multiplex single-guide RNA-treated cells used directly for SCNT without further genetic selection produced piglets with deletions in the targeted genes but also created double- and triple-gene KO variations. CRISPR/Cas-treated cells grew normally and yielded normal liters of healthy piglets via somatic cell nuclear transfer. CONCLUSIONS: The CRISPR/Cas system allows targeting of multiple genes in a single reaction with the potential to create pigs of one genetic strain or multiple genetic modifications in a single pregnancy. The application of this phenotypic selection strategy with multiplexed sgRNA and the Cas9 nuclease has accelerated our ability to produce and evaluate pigs important to xenotransplantation.