Transgenic non-human mammals expressing DNA sequences encoding homologous complement restriction factors of a discordant mammalian species

摘要

One of the problems facing transplantation procedures today is the availability of organs suitable for transplantation. A way around the lack of organs, it to harvest organs from animals. However, immune reactions between discordant donor and recipient mammals presents a major obstacle in such transplantation procedures. The production of transgenic non-human mammals expressing a DNA sequence encoding an homologous complement restriction factor or factors of a discordant mammalian species such that the expression of the DNA sequence would prevent xenograft rejection by the host mammal's immune system would provide organs, tissues and cells for transplantation. A transgenic pig expressing in its cells a DNA sequence encoding a homologous complement restriction factor such as decay accelerating factor (DAF) or membrane cofactor protein (MCP) of a discordant mammalian species, or DNA sequences encoding peptides having complement inhibiting activity of one or more of the homologous complement restriction factors of a discordant mammalian species can provide organs, tissues and cells for transplantation as the expression of the DNA sequences would inhibit complement mediated xenograft rejection.