[Applications of transgenesis in xenotransplantation. Experimental results and clinical prospects]

Transgenesis is now a genetic procedure commonly performed. The first clinical application of transgenesis could be xenografting between distant species such as swine and human. Transgenic expression of human complement regulatory proteins including CD55 and CD59 in pig has already been reported. An alternative strategy aims at reducing the expression of the xenoantigens on the cell surface by knocking out relevant genes through homologous recombination. Preliminary results of xenotransplantation of transgenic organs to macacus have suggested that xenogeneic hyperacute rejection could be overcome. After these recent advances, new attempts of xenotransplantation in human could be performed in a short term, at least as a bridge in the expectation of an allogeneic graft.