Hearts from α1,3-Galactosyltransferase gene-knockout (GaIT-KO) pigs were transplanted heterotopically into 8 baboons that received an anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based immunosuppressive regimen and heparin. Three baboons died or were euthanized with beating grafts on 16, 23, and 56 days, respectively, and the remaining 5 grafts functioned for 59-179 days. Hyperacute rejection did not occur, and classical features of acute humoral xenograft or acute cellular rejection were rare. However, thrombotic microangiopathy (TM) developed in all cases; its onset was delayed in 2 baboons that received aspirin. Function of a pig organ in a baboon for a period approaching 6 months has not been reported previously and lends encouragement that the barriers to xenotransplantation will be overcome, but TM requires investigation.

doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2004.12.235, hdl.handle.net/1765/57699
Transplantation Proceedings
Department of Surgery

Dor, F., Kuwaki, K., Tseng, Y., Shimizu, A., Houser, S., Yamada, K., … Cooper, D. (2005). Potential of aspirin to inhibit thrombotic microangiopathy in α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout pig hearts after transplantation in baboons. In Transplantation Proceedings (Vol. 37, pp. 489–490). doi:10.1016/j.transproceed.2004.12.235