title: Potential deleterious role of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in xenotransplantation.
abstract: Human beings do not synthesize the glycolyl form of the sialic acid (Neu5Gc) and only express the acetylated form of the sugar, whereas a diet-based intake of Neu5Gc provokes a natural immunization and production of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in human serum. However, Neu5Gc is expressed on mammal glycoproteins and glycolipids in most organs and cells. We review here the relevance of Neu5Gc and anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in the context of xenotransplantation and the use of animal-derived molecules and products, as well as the possible consequences of a long-term exposure to anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in recipients of xenografts. In addition, the importance of an accurate estimation of the anti-Neu5Gc response following xenotransplantation and the future contribution of knockout animals mimicking the human situation are also assessed.
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR1064, Centre for Research in Transplantation and Immunology-ITUN, Université de Nantes, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes, France; Société d'Accélération du Transfert de Technologies Ouest Valorisation, Rennes Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Apolline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salama
authors.forename: Gwénaëlle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Evanno
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harb
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Soulillou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile / Q000097:blood*; D015478:Antigens, Heterophile / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D023421:Models, Animal; D009438:Neuraminic Acids / Q000276:immunology*; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D011323:Primates; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D015478:Antigens, Heterophile; D009438:Neuraminic Acids; C032592:N-glycolylneuraminic acid
keywords: Neu5Gc; anti-Neu5Gc antibody; heart valves; neuraminic acid; pancreatic islets; sialic acid; xenotransplantation