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Bioengineering
Reports from Zhengzhou University advance knowledge in bioengineering
May 7th, 2008
(NewsRx.com) -- "The expression of human alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase (HT) or complement regulatory proteins has been proved as an strategy to overcome hypercute rejection in discordant xenogeneic organ transplantation. In this study, we examined whether peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from polytransgenic mice expressing the human HT, and complement regulatory proteins (DAF and CD59), can provide more effective protection against xenograft rejection," scientists writing in the journal Science in China Series C - Life Sciences report. "Transgenic mice were produced by co-injection of gene constructs for human HT, DAF and/or CD59. Flow Cytometry (FCM) was used to screen the positive transgenic mice. PBMCs from transgenic mice were incubated with 15% human serum to evaluate natural antibody binding, complement activation and expression of adhesion molecules. Three transgenes were strongly expressed in PBMCs of transgenic mice, and HT expression significantly reduced expression of the major xenoepitope galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-Gal). Functional studies with PBMCs showed that co-expression of HT and DAF or CD59 markedly increased their resistance to human serum-mediated cytolysis when compared with single transgenic PBMCs. Moreover, the combined expression of triple transgenes in PBMCs led to the greatest protection against human serum-mediated cytolysis, avoided hyperacute rejection and reduced expression of adhesion molecules. Strong co-expression of triple transgenes was completely protected from xenograft hyperacute rejection and partially inhibited acute vascular rejection," wrote B.Q. Liu and colleagues, Zhengzhou University. The researchers concluded: "The studies suggest that engineering mice to express triple molecules represents an critical step toward prolonging xenograft survival and might be more suitable for xenotransplantation." Liu and colleagues published their study in Science in China Series C - Life Sciences (Transgenic mice designed to express human alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase in combination of human DAF and CD59 to avoid xenograft rejection. Science in China Series C - Life Sciences, 2008;51(3):199-204). Additional information can be obtained by contacting B.Q. Liu, Zhengzhou University, Dept. of Urology, Affiliated Hospital 1, Zhengzhou 450052, People's Republic of China. The publisher of the journal Science in China Series C - Life Sciences can be contacted at: Science China Press, 16 Donghuangchenggen North St., Beijing 100717, People's Republic of China. Keywords: People's Republic of China, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Cytometry, Enzyme Research, Fucosyltransferase, Transplantation, Xenograft, Xenotransplantion, Zhengzhou University. This article was prepared by NewsRx editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, NewsRx.com.
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