Xenotransplantation literature update: April–May, 2010

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update: April–May, 2010.
Xenotransplantation 2010; 17: 324–327. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update: February–March, 2010

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update: February–March, 2010.
Xenotransplantation 2010; 17: 256–260. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update June-October 2010

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update June – October 2010. Xenotransplantation 2010; 17: 481–488. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update: November-December, 2010

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update: November–December, 2010.
Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 73–76. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update: May–October, 2009

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update: May–October, 2009.
Xenotransplantation 2009; 16: 555–562. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update, January-February 2012

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, January–February 2012. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 133–136 © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update, May-June 2011

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, May–June 2011. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 262–266. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update, July-October 2011

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, July–October 2011. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 400–404. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update, January-February 2011

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, January–February 2011. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 147–150. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update, March-April 2011

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, March – April 2011. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 209–213. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update, March to April 2012

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, March to April 2012. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 207–211. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update, May to June 2012

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, May to June 2012. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 265–268.. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update,July–August 2012

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, July to August 2012. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 323–325. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update,September–October 2012

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, September–October 2012. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 370–374. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Xenotransplantation literature update, November-December 2011

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, November—December 2011. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19; 65–69. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

A record of international meetings on xenotransplantation 1988-2010

Cooper DKC, Groth C‐G. A Record of International Meetings on Xenotransplantation 1988–2010. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 229–231. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.     

Anti‐gal antibodies in α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene‐knockout pigs

Fang J, Walters A, Hara H, Long C, Yeh P, Ayares D, Cooper DKC, Bianchi J. Anti‐gal antibodies in α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene‐knockout pigs. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 305–310. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract Serum anti‐galactose‐α1,3‐galactose (Gal) IgM and IgG antibody levels were measured by ELISA in α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene‐knockout (GTKO) pigs (78 estimations in 47 pigs). A low level of anti‐Gal IgM was present soon after birth, and rose to a peak at 4–6 m, which was maintained thereafter even in the oldest pigs tested (at >2 yr). Anti‐Gal IgG was also present at birth, peaked at 3 m, and after 6 m steadily decreased until almost undetectable at 20 m. No differences in this pattern were seen between pigs of different gender. Total IgM followed a similar pattern as anti‐Gal IgM, but total IgG did not decrease after 6m. The data provide useful baseline data for future experimental studies in GTKO pigs, e.g., relating to the antibody response to WT pig allografts.     

Outwitting evolution*

Cooper DKC. Outwitting evolution.
Xenotransplantation 2010; 17: 171–180. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: The author pays tribute to those who stimulated him to follow a career in clinical cardiothoracic surgery and experimental transplantation. Highlights of his career have been in contributing to (i) the first hypothermic perfusion storage of the donor heart to be used successfully in clinical practice, (ii) hormonal therapy in the management of the brain‐dead potential organ donor, (iii) the identification of Galα1,3Gal as the major antigenic target for primate natural anti‐pig antibodies, (iv) the 2‐ to 6‐month survival of α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene‐knockout hearts transplanted into baboons, and (v) the 3‐ to 12‐month normoglycemia following the transplantation of islets from CD46‐transgenic pigs into diabetic monkeys. Many friends have been made through a mutual interest in transplantation, particularly through the activities of the International Xenotransplantation Association (IXA). The author thanks the many mentors, colleagues, and research fellows with whom it has been his great privilege and pleasure to work during the past several decades, and readily acknowledges that it is largely their contributions that have enabled him to receive the honor of Honorary Membership of the IXA.     

Xenotransplantation literature update January-February, 2006

Baertschiger RM, Buhler LH. Xenotransplantation Literature Update January–February, 2006. Xenotransplantation 2006; 13: 272–276. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2006     

Insulin secretion and glucose metabolism in alpha 1,3‐galactosyltransferase knock‐out pigs compared to wild‐type pigs

Casu A, Echeverri GJ, Bottino R, van der Windt DJ, He J, Ekser B, Ball S, Ayares D, Cooper DKC. Insulin secretion and glucose metabolism in alpha 1,3‐galactosyltransferase knock‐out pigs compared to wild‐type pigs. Xenotransplantation 2010; 17: 131–139. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Xenotransplantation of porcine islets could be a valuable alternative to the shortage of human islets for transplantation. To overcome the immunological obstacle of antibody‐mediated rejection, pigs homozygous for α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene knock‐out (GT‐KO) have been produced. The effect of this mutation on glucose metabolism is unknown. Methods: Glucose, insulin, C‐peptide and glucagon levels were studied in eight adult pigs (four wild‐type [WT] and four GT‐KO) during intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), arginine stimulation test (AST), and insulin tolerance test (ITT). Morphological analysis of the pancreata was also performed. The in vitro insulin response to a high glucose concentration and theophylline were studied in a dynamic perfusion system with isolated islets. Results: Basal and stimulated blood glucose levels were similar in WT and GT‐KO pigs. Basal insulin, C‐peptide and glucagon were higher in GT‐KO pigs. C‐peptide and insulin responses to arginine and glucose were also higher in GT‐KO animals. The reduction in blood glucose during ITT and IVGTT was similar in WT and GT‐KO pigs. The extent of staining for insulin and glucagon in the pancreata were similar. The basal insulin secretion of isolated islets was higher in GT‐KO pigs, while stimulation indexes for glucose and theophylline were similar to WT. Conclusions: GT‐KO pigs demonstrated differences in glucose metabolism compared to WT pigs, the cause for which remains uncertain. It is unlikely that these differences would in any way affect the outcome of GT‐KO porcine islet xenotransplantation.