Genetic modification of pigs for long term tolerance of xenotransplanted organs
Xenotransplantation of animal-derived tissues into human patients is a promising potential solution to the worldwide shortage of donor organs. However, severe immune response and rejection of the transplanted tissue by the patient’s body remains a critical barrier to xenotransplantation. Inducing mixed chimerism, where hematopoietic cells from the donor animal are introduced into the patient to ensure immune tolerance for the transplanted organ, is an attractive approach. However, because hematopoiesis is a tightly regulated process involving species-specific receptor-ligand interactions, transplanted cells are at a competitive disadvantage and, along with the immune tolerance they confer, are gradually lost. This technology improves upon this approach by genetically modifying the donor species to express human receptors and/or ligands to overcome this competitive disadvantage and ensure life-long chimerism and immune tolerance of xenotransplanted organs.
Obviates the need for life-long immunosuppression after xenotransplantationIncreases available supply of organs for humansImproves long-term bone marrow function in mixed xenogeneic chimerism proceduresPatent Information:Patent Pending (WO/2016/154299)Tech Ventures Reference: IR CU15125
Method for improving tolerance of xenotransplanted tissues in humansResearch tool for immunology and transplantation studies
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USA

