The objective of this application is to achieve 90-day median survival of life-supporting cardiac xenotransplantation (CXTx) in the pig-to-primate model using genetically-engineered donors, clinical immunosuppression (IS) and modalities to diagnose and treat delayed xenograft rejection (DXR) leading to preclinical studies of CXTx. Prolonged xenograft survival is now limited by non-Gal antibody-mediated DXR (NGDXR). With improved outcomes for orthotopic (OCXTx), it has emerged that early xenograft function is compromised in up to 50% of cases. We have termed this perioperative cardiac xenograft dysfunction (PCXD). For potential future clinical application of CXTx, it is essential to understand the mechanisms and improve the outcomes of both NGDXR and PCXD. All transplants for Specific Aims (SA) 1-3 will use donors transgenic for CD55 with inactivation of the GGTA-1 glycosyltransferase locus (GTKO:CD55+). In SA 1, to better understand PCXD, plasmapheresis will be used to remove preformed non-Gal antibody (PNGA) and the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib given to delete plasma cells prior to OCXTx. This therapy will also be combined with cariporide cardiac preservation to mitigate preoperative injury. The impact of PNGA depletion and cariporide treatment on PCXD will be assessed by measurement of cardiac function by echocardiography (ECHO), biochemical markers of cardiac injury, recipient antibody and plasma cell levels, and will be correlated with cardiac gene expression in interim biopsies and explanted hearts. In SA 2, to prevent DXR optimal IS based on induction therapy for B- and T-cells, triple drug IS and Bortezomib will be used to control NGA in OCXTx recipients surviving SA 1. We will further study the mechanism(s) of NGDXR through analysis of antibody responses to GTKO PAECs and novel individual non-Gal carbohydrate and protein target antigens we have identified. Changes in cardiac gene expression will be correlated with DXR. In SA 3, we utilize life-supporting intrathoracic heterotopic CXTx, a currently clinically used heart transplant variant which, as well as being a potential technique for initial clinical application of CXTx, will uniquely allow a) observation of recovery of PCXD by ECHO and b) development of methods for the diagnosis and treatment of DXR without loss of the recipient as the native heart supports the circulation during these periods of xenograft dysfunction. In this aim, plasmapheresis and Bortezomib will be used to treat DXR. The objective of this application, to achieve 3-month median survival of circulation-bearing CXTx, if successful, will lay the groundwork for preclinical studies during this grant period to support clinical application of CXTx.

Public Health Relevance

Successful xenotransplantation offers a potential clinical solution to alleviate the chronic and increasing shortage of donor organs and cells for transplantation. Our previous studies over 12 years have achieved the longest median survival of heterotopic cardiac xenotransplants and the longest survivors of life-supporting orthotopic cardiac xenotransplants. Achievement of the specific aims of this proposal will bring cardiac xenotransplantation to the threshold of clinical application.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01AI066310-09
Application #
8494523
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1-JBS-I (M1))
Program Officer
Nabavi, Nasrin N
Project Start
2010-07-01
Project End
2015-06-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$968,459
Indirect Cost
$347,487
Name
Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Department
Type
DUNS #
006471700
City
Rochester
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55905
Byrne, Guerard; Ahmad-Villiers, Saadullah; Du, Zeji et al. (2018) B4GALNT2 and xenotransplantation: A newly appreciated xenogeneic antigen. Xenotransplantation 25:e12394
McGregor, Christopher; Byrne, Guerard; Rahmani, Benyamin et al. (2016) Physical equivalency of wild type and galactose ? 1,3 galactose free porcine pericardium; a new source material for bioprosthetic heart valves. Acta Biomater 41:204-9
Lin, Yi; Miyagi, Naoto; Byrne, Guerard W et al. (2015) A pig-to-mouse coronary artery transplantation model for investigating the pathogenicity of anti-pig antibody. Xenotransplantation 22:458-67
Mohiuddin, Muhammad M; Reichart, Bruno; Byrne, Guerard W et al. (2015) Current status of pig heart xenotransplantation. Int J Surg 23:234-239
Byrne, Guerard W; McGregor, Christopher G A; Breimer, Michael E (2015) Recent investigations into pig antigen and anti-pig antibody expression. Int J Surg 23:223-228
Azimzadeh, Agnes M; Byrne, Guerard W; Ezzelarab, Mohamed et al. (2014) Development of a consensus protocol to quantify primate anti-non-Gal xenoreactive antibodies using pig aortic endothelial cells. Xenotransplantation 21:555-66
Byrne, Guerard W; Du, Zeji; Stalboerger, Paul et al. (2014) Cloning and expression of porcine ?1,4 N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase encoding a new xenoreactive antigen. Xenotransplantation 21:543-54
Byrne, Guerard W; Azimzadeh, Agnes M; Ezzelarab, Mohamed et al. (2013) Histopathologic insights into the mechanism of anti-non-Gal antibody-mediated pig cardiac xenograft rejection. Xenotransplantation 20:292-307
Byrne, Guerard W; McGregor, Christopher G A (2012) Cardiac xenotransplantation: progress and challenges. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 17:148-54
McGregor, Christopher G A; Ricci, Davide; Miyagi, Naoto et al. (2012) Human CD55 expression blocks hyperacute rejection and restricts complement activation in Gal knockout cardiac xenografts. Transplantation 93:686-92

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