Strategies to prevent thrombosis in xenotransplants

Coagulation remains a major barrier to successful xenotransplantation. Identification of the role of complement activation in HAR and prevention of complement activation by high expression of DAF and CD59 has largely overcome HAR. Understanding the molecular basis of DXR and identification of novel strategies to prevent activation of endothelial cells using monoclonal antibodies, soluble inhibitors of coagulation, vaccination, antisense constructs, and recombinant DNA technology offers the promise of overcoming the thrombosis associated with xenotransplantation.