title: Pig endogenous retroviruses and xenotransplantation.
abstract: Xenotransplantation of porcine organs might provide an unlimited source of donor organs to treat endstage organ failure diseases in humans. However, pigs harbour retroviruses with unknown pathogenic potential as an integral part of their genome. While until recently the risk of interspecies transmission of these porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV) during xenotransplantation has been thought to be negligible, several reports on infection of human cells in vitro and spread of PERV from transplanted porcine islets in murine model systems have somewhat challenged this view. Here, we compile available data on PERV biology and diagnostics, and discuss the significance of the results with regard to the safety of clinical xenotransplantation.
authors.affiliation: Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Department of Virology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Blusch
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Patience
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D010802:Phylogeny; D011323:Primates; D051381:Rats; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D013552:Swine; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015047:Zoonoses