This is a renewal of a highly synergistic PPG exploring tolerance induction for xenotransplantation. Themes include: 1) Tolerance of the adaptive immune system; 2) Overcoming innate immune barriers; and 3) Using advanced genetic engineering techniques to improve genetically modified (GM) MGH inbred miniature swine. In Project 1, ?Achieving Xenograft Tolerance through Thymic Programming in Primates?, we will study and attempt to avoid the proteinuria which limits GalT-KO pig kidney transplant survival in baboons; we will optimize tolerance and protective immunity by transplanting a hybrid vascularized thymus (VT) containing pig and baboon TECs and combine this with mixed xenogeneic chimerism with intra-bone injection of pig bone marrow to simultaneously tolerize both adaptive and innate immunity. In Project 2, ?Achieving Xenograft Tolerance through Mixed Chimerism?, which also uses the pig-to-baboon model, we have achieved prolonged mixed chimerism in baboon recipients of human CD47 (hCD47) Tg pig hematopoietic cells (HCs), resulting in remarkably prolonged pig skin graft survival; we will combine this approach with intrabone injection of hCD47 Tg/hCD55 Tg/GalT KO pig hematopoietic cells and use ex-vivo expanded recipient Tregs to enhance engraftment, aiming to achieve more durable chimerism and, with it, tolerance of B, NK and T cells; we will also test HCs from new GM swine produced in Project 4. Project 3, ?Tolerance of Adaptive and Innate Human Anti-Pig Immune Responses in Humanized Mice?, combines mixed xenogeneic chimerism and porcine thymic transplantation in humanized mice with robust human immune systems; we will combine engineered pig/human hybrid thymi with mixed xenogeneic chimerism to achieve multi-faceted immune tolerance along with protective immunity for both human and porcine tissues; we will determine the impact of the hCD47 Tg on induction of porcine mixed chimerism in these mice and determine the impact of duration of this mixed chimerism on human T, B and NK cell tolerance. In Project 4, ?Improving Xenogeneic Chimerism and Tolerance through Genome Engineering Technology?, advanced genetic engineering techniques will be used to generate two optimal GM pig lines, one for tolerance induction and the other for organ transplantation, on a background of inbred miniature swine with common GMs that will be needed for both purposes. Core A will provide administrative support for the PPG, facilitating interactions between the primary and subcontract sites. Core B will support all large animal needs, including non-human primates and GM MGH inbred miniature swine; provide support for infectious diseases, coagulation and clotting issues of swine and baboons; and provide mAbs and antisera. The synergism of these projects and cores and the fertile interactions among them should bring us closer to the goal of clinical xenotransplantation.
Overview Narrative This is a highly synergistic program project grant engaging multidisciplinary expertise in order to accelerate the advancement of xenotransplantation, the transplantation of organs from animals to humans, which is our best hope for overcoming the severe shortage of human organs for transplantation. We will use the most advanced genetic engineering techniques to rapidly modify miniature pigs that are close in size to humans and have been inbred for 40 years to provide a standardized, renewable source of organs for xenotransplantation. Animal models including rodents with robust human immune systems as well as non-human primates will use these genetically modified pigs in studies that will optimize immune tolerance induction to avoid graft rejection while assuring a well-functioning immune system and optimizing the function of transplanted pig organs.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 192 publications
