Production of genetically modified porcine blastocysts by somatic cell nuclear transfer: preliminary results toward production of xenograft-competent miniature pigs

J Reprod Dev. 2010 Dec;56(6):630-8. doi: 10.1262/jrd.09-227a. Epub 2010 Aug 28.

Abstract

Galα1-3Gal (α-Gal epitope) is the major xenoantigenic epitope responsible for hyperacute rejection upon pig-to-human xenotransplantation. Endo-β-galactosidase C (EndoGalC) from Clostridium perfringens can digest the α-Gal epitope. In this study, gene-engineered primary cultured porcine embryonic fibroblasts (PEF) expressing EndoGalC were obtained and subjected to somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to test whether xenograft-competent pigs can be created. The EndoGalC-expressing PEF clones exhibited highly reduced expression of α-Gal epitope, as revealed by cytochemical staining with BS-I-B(4) isolectin, a lectin that specifically binds to α-Gal epitope, and FACS analysis. The pattern of low level of α-Gal epitope expression continued for at least 6 months (more than 10 generations) after isolation. SCNT of nuclei from these cells resulted in the generation of blastocysts that displayed nearly complete loss of α-Gal epitope from their cell surface. This is the first study to demonstrate that SCNT using EndoGalC-expressing PEFs as donors would be useful for production of genetically modified cloned pigs suitable for xenotransplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • Blastocyst / immunology*
  • Blastocyst / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Clone Cells / immunology
  • Clone Cells / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / immunology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / genetics
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / immunology
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Graft Rejection / genetics
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunodominant Epitopes / genetics*
  • Immunodominant Epitopes / immunology
  • Immunodominant Epitopes / metabolism
  • Models, Animal
  • Nuclear Transfer Techniques*
  • Plant Lectins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Swine
  • Swine, Miniature / embryology*
  • Swine, Miniature / genetics*
  • Swine, Miniature / immunology
  • Swine, Miniature / metabolism
  • Transplantation, Heterologous / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Griffonia simplicifolia lectins
  • Immunodominant Epitopes
  • Plant Lectins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Glycoside Hydrolases
  • endo-beta-D-galactosidase C