Production of recombinant human lysozyme in the milk of transgenic pigs

Transgenic Res. 2011 Apr;20(2):417-9. doi: 10.1007/s11248-010-9409-2. Epub 2010 Jun 12.

Abstract

In the swine industry pathogenic infections have a significant negative impact on neonatal survival. Piglets fed with human lysozyme, a natural antibiotic, might be more resistant to gastrointestinal infections. Here we describe the generation of transgenic swine expressing recombinant human lysozyme by somatic cell nuclear transfer. Three cloned female pigs were born, one of which expressed rhLZ at 0.32 ± 0.01 μg/ml in milk, 50-fold higher than that of the pig native lysozyme. Both the transgenic gilts and their progeny appear healthy. Introducing human lysozyme into pigs' milk has a potential to benefit the piglets by enhancing immune function and defending against pathogenic bacteria, thereby increasing the new born survival rate. This advance could be of great value to commercial swine producers.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Husbandry / methods
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified*
  • Cloning, Organism
  • Female
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Humans
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism
  • Milk / enzymology*
  • Muramidase / biosynthesis*
  • Muramidase / genetics
  • Nuclear Transfer Techniques
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Swine / genetics*
  • Swine / growth & development
  • Swine / metabolism
  • Transgenes

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Muramidase