title: Down-regulation of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal expression by alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase: further characterization of alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In pig-to-primate transplantation, antibody-mediated hyperacute rejection is the consequence of binding of natural antibodies to Gal alpha(1,3)Gal on pig endothelium. The elimination of the Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antigen from pig cells should prevent hyperacute rejection. Using in vitro techniques, we have previously reported that using the alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase gene induces the preferential expression of H substance with a concomitant reduction in the expression of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of expressing the alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase gene in vivo on Gal alpha(1,3)Gal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic lines of mice were produced and characterized serologically and histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistological studies showed heavy staining for H substance in liver, spleen, kidney, and heart, with a reduction in staining for Gal alpha(1,3)Gal. In addition, there was a reduction in the binding of human anti-Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antibody to lymphocytes from alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic mice and a substantial decrease in complement-mediated cytolysis of alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic lymphocytes when compared with that obtained with normal mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings have important implications, in that alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic pigs could be produced as a source for humans. Such pigs should have a reduced expression of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Immunogenetics Laboratory, Austin Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cohney
authors.forename: I F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prenzoska
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ostenreid
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Fodor
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sandrin
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000818:Animals; D004187:Disaccharides / Q000235:genetics*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005647:Fucosyltransferases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000235:genetics*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D000097631:Galactoside 2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D004187:Disaccharides; D005647:Fucosyltransferases; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D000097631:Galactoside 2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase; C036850:Ulex europaeus lectins; C055075:galactosyl-(1-3)galactose