The last year of the German Research Foundation sponsored Transregio Research Group “Xenotransplantation”, the planning of the future: “Biology of xenogeneic cell and organ transplantation – from bench to bedside”

Abstract

In April this year, the final year of our German Xenotransplantation Research Group began, a consortium of animal biotechnologists, immunologists, virologists and clinical transplantat specialists. Many advances included new molecular insights in xenogeneic responses (Thrombomodulin, HLA‐E, PDL‐1, HO‐1, A20, LEA) successful viral gene transfer expressing e.g., thymosine generation of a unique toolbox comprising mono‐(human thrombomodulin, HO‐1, A20, LEA29Y, HLA‐E/β2m TRAIL) and multitransgenic pigs (hTM based on α1,3‐GalKO/CD46 supplied by Revivicor) sensitive PERV diagnosis (RT‐PCR) and inhibition (utilizing siRNA techniques) successful porcine islet cell transplantation in NOD SCIDmice successful introduction of xenogeneic heterotopic thoracic heart transplantation in the pig to baboon model. From April next year on a Collaborative Research Center is planned to strengthen xenogeneic islet cell transplantation in cooperation with the already existing diabetes group from the Dresden University which includes outstanding basic scientists. At the moment this is the only existing German clinical (allogenic) islet cell transplantation program. Tolerance induction will be a further topic together with novel immunosuppressive treatments – tools which might help to prevent acute humoral rejection of the solid organ xenongeneic transplants for the first time.