Abstract
Xenotransplantation of organs from the large domestic species will only be successful if the donor animals have been genetically modified, in particular regarding the alpha-Gal epitope, certain human complements (CD55 and CD59) and/or H-transferase. This requires, among other things, major embryo-technological efforts, and the rate of success is still far from an acceptable level in the domestic species. It is currently poor, but the progress is very good. In this brief review certain embryo-technological problems will be addressed with the focus on the pig as potential organ donor. In addition, certain views of the Danish ad hoc Committee on Gene Technology on xenotransplantation will be presented in this context as they are supposed to mirror the concern and the views of the issues important for the public and each individual.
Highlights
Very few species will be suitable as organ source for humans based solely on size and function
The domestic pig seems to possess many of the required characteristics with regard to organ size and efficiency [7]
Primates including humans do not possess this epitope, they do have natural antibodies against the α-Gal epitope, and following transfer of an organ from for example a pig this will lead to the so-called hyperacute rejection (HAR; 5)
Summary
Very few species will be suitable as organ source for humans based solely on size and function. One major problem by using pig organs is the existence of terminal α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (abbreviation: the α-Gal epitope) on its cell surfaces. Primates including humans do not possess this epitope, they do have natural antibodies against the α-Gal epitope, and following transfer of an organ from for example a pig this will lead to the so-called hyperacute rejection (HAR; 5).
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