Platelet aggregation and thrombosis in xenotransplantation between pigs and humans.
Allografts are currently short for clinical potential recipients. Organs and tissues from pigs could be a potential alternative source for clinical transplantation because of their high similarity in anatomical and physiological aspects. Thrombosis could be a consequence of the immunological response or the physiological incompatibilities in cell and molecular levels across species. Platelets play an essential role in haemostasis and the incompatibility of platelets between pigs and humans could be related to rejection and dysfunction of xenografts. Pig blood components, including plasma, leukocytes, red blood cells and platelets, could induce aggregation of human platelets directly, which then resulted in severe thrombosis after xenotransplantation. On the other hand, the existence of potential incompatibilities in coagulation and fibrinolytic system between pigs and humans in the context of xenotransplantation is an important consideration. Here we reviewed platelet incompatibility between pigs and humans related to thrombosis after xenotransplantation, and contribution of immunosuppressive agents to minimizing thrombosis and rejection.
Zhang
Baojun
B
Transplantation Biology Research Division, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Datun Road 5, Beijing, China, 100101, China.
Zhang
Aijun
A
Zhao
Yong
Y
D000818:Animals; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000502:physiology; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000502:physiology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000502:physiology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000502:physiology; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000276:immunology*
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex; D003165:Complement System Proteins