Surface modification of pig endothelial cells with a branched heparin conjugate improves their compatibility with human blood

Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 30;7(1):4450. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04898-w.

Abstract

Corline Heparin Conjugate (CHC), a compound of multiple unfractionated heparin chains, coats cells with a glycocalyx-like layer and may inhibit (xeno)transplant-associated activation of the plasma cascade systems. Here, we investigated the use of CHC to protect WT and genetically modified (GTKO.hCD46.hTBM) pig aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) in two pig-to-human in vitro xenotransplantation settings. Model 1: incubation of untreated or hTNFα-treated PAEC with 10% human plasma induced complement C3b/c and C5b-9 deposition, cellular activation and coagulation activation in WT and GTKO.hCD46.hTBM PAEC. Coating of untreated or hTNFα-treated PAEC with CHC (100 µg/ml) protected against human plasma-induced endothelial activation and damage. Model 2: PAEC were grown on microcarrier beads, coated with CHC, and incubated with non-anticoagulated whole human blood. Genetically modified PAEC significantly prolonged clotting time of human blood (115.0 ± 16.1 min, p < 0.001) compared to WT PAEC (34.0 ± 8.2 min). Surface CHC significantly improved the human blood compatibility of PAEC, as shown by increased clotting time (WT: 84.3 ± 11.3 min, p < 0.001; GTKO.hCD46.hTBM: 146.2 ± 20.4 min, p < 0.05) and reduced platelet adhesion, complement activation, coagulation activation and inhibition of fibrinolysis. The combination of CHC coating and genetic modification provided the greatest compatibility with human blood, suggesting that pre-transplant perfusion of genetically modified porcine organs with CHC may benefit post-transplant xenograft function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Coagulation
  • Blood Coagulation Factors
  • Blood Platelets / immunology
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Complement Activation / immunology
  • Complement System Proteins / immunology
  • Complement System Proteins / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Glycocalyx / metabolism*
  • Heparin / metabolism*
  • Heparin / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Swine
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • Blood Coagulation Factors
  • Heparin
  • Complement System Proteins