Xenoantibodies to pig endothelium are expressed in germline configuration and share a conserved immunoglobulin VH gene structure with antibodies to common infectious agents.
BACKGROUND
The rejection of pig xenografts in humans is initiated by preformed antibodies that may be related to the natural antibodies that formulate a first line of defense against infectious agents. Immunoglobulin gene variable domains encoding the antibodies that react with similar epitopes expressed on xenoantigens and bacteria may share structurally similar antigen-binding site configurations.


METHODS
We sequenced the VH immunoglobulin genes and germline progenitors of two rat monoclonal antibodies that recognize pig xenoantigens. Nucleic and amino acid sequences of these xenoantibodies were compared with immunoglobulin genes encoding antibodies that react with bacteria or viruses.


CONCLUSIONS
VH genes encoding rat anti-pig xenoantibodies are expressed in germline configuration and share structural similarities, including identical amino acids in key antigenic contact sites that define antibody canonical structural groups, with antibodies to infectious agents.
Kearns-Jonker
M
M
Transplantation Biology Research Laboratory, National Institute of Transplantation, St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90057, USA.
Fraiman
M
M
Chu
W
W
Gochi
E
E
Michel
J
J
Wu
G D
GD
Cramer
D V
DV
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile / Q000235:genetics*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000235:genetics*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology*; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D051381:Rats; D013552:Swine
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region