Abstract
antibody levels decreased in both WT and GTKO recipients after implantation. WT recipients, however, retained elevated levels of anti-Gal IgG for at least the first year post implant. Conversely anti-Gal IgG levels in all GTKO recipients fell within one month. The area under the curve showed a significant increase of anti-Gal IgG in the WT BHV group compared to GTKO BHV recipients (p 0.01). Conclusions: Persistently and significantly (p 0.01) elevated levels of anti-Gal IgG were observed in WT but not GTKO BHV recipients. This indicates a BHV-specific continuing immune stimulation to the Gal antigen which is known to be present in current commercially available BHVs, and other bioprosthetic materials of animal origin. These data support the hypothesis that clinical use of current xenogeneic bioprosthetic materials can induce an anti-Gal antibody response which increasing evidence suggests promotes subsequent calcification. BHVs made from GTKO pigs would have reduced antigenicity, may have greater durability and be potentially used in younger patients with more active immune systems.
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