Xenotransplantation: Preparation of gene constructs for modifying pigs as organ donors for transplantation in humans

The enormous progress in biotechnology and genetic engineering which has taken place in recent years may be useful in researching xenotransplantation and provide solutions to the shortage of human allografts. Xenotransplantology is focused on rearing genetically modified pigs lacking gene(s) for recipients who are suffering from graft rejection. Xenotransplantation involves several important steps from interdisciplinary areas. The first step is to prepare competitive, inactivating and regulatory gene constructs. These gene constructs should allow (i) knock-out of 1,3 galactosyltransferase (1,3GT) gene, (ii) expression of complement proteins and (iii) regulate expression of proteins. Transgenic pigs, obtained by injecting a gene construct to the fertilized oocytes, can be cloned after transgenesis has been confirmed. Transgenic pigs could provide an unlimited source of cells and organs for persons suffering from organ failure, diabetes or degenerative disorders. This has made xenotransplantation very attractive for biotechnology companies, however the risk of transmitting infectious disease from animals to humans remains unknown and requires extended research.