[Expression and distribution of xenoantigen alpha-Gal in intervertebral disk of Chinese banna minipig inbred line].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression and distribution of xenoantigen in intervertebral disk of Chinese banna minipig inbred line, and to study the availability of xenograft transplantation of intervertebral disk.


METHODS
Samples of intervertebral disk were collected from six Banna pigs of 8 to 11-month-old. The fixation, embedment and slice were performed. alpha-Gal specific binding lection (BSI-B4) were used as affinity reagents and affinity-immunohistochemistry assays (SABC methods and DAB stain) were conducted to detect the expression and distribution of xenoantigen (alpha-Gal).


RESULTS
alpha-Gal was found in chondrocyte cell and chondrocyte-like cell in intervertebral disk which have the positive yellow-stained particulate aggradation. There was no stain in the matrix, elastic fiber and collagen fiber.


CONCLUSIONS
The distribution of xenoantigen is locally in the tissue of intervertebral disk and its expression is weak. This suggests that the intervertebral disk of Banna pig may be alternative donor for xenotransplantation.
Shou
Jian-guo
JG
Department of Anatomy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China 400038.
Mi
Jian-hong
JH
Ying
Da-jun
DJ
D000818:Animals; D017849:Animals, Inbred Strains; D015478:Antigens, Heterophile / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005690:Galactose / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation; D008297:Male; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000276:immunology*
D015478:Antigens, Heterophile; D005690:Galactose