Acute rejection is associated with antibodies to non-Gal antigens in baboons using Gal-knockout pig kidneys
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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
Gang Chen1, Hua Qian, Thomas Starzl
1[1] Department of Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada.
Abstract:
We transplanted kidneys from alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT-KO) pigs into six baboons using two different immunosuppressive regimens, but most of the baboons died from severe acute humoral xenograft rejection. Circulating induced antibodies to non-Gal antigens were markedly elevated at rejection, which mediated strong complement-dependent cytotoxicity against GalT-KO porcine target cells. These data suggest that antibodies to non-Gal antigens will present an additional barrier to transplantation of organs from GalT-KO pigs to humans.
