Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 162-172 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 1 62 Research Report Open Access Eliminating Porcine Pathogens: The Role of Genetic Modifications in Enhancing Biosafety of Transplantable Pig Organs Jun Li, Jing He Animal Science Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: jing.he@cuixi.org Bioscience Methods, 2024, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0017 Received: 12 May, 2024 Accepted: 23 Jun., 2024 Published: 15 Jul., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Li and He, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li J., and He J., 2024, Eliminating porcine pathogens: the role of genetic modifications in enhancing biosafety of transplantable pig organs, Bioscience Methods, 15(4): 162-172 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0017) Abstract This study aims to explore genetic and biochemical strategies for eliminating porcine pathogens, thereby enhancing the biosafety of transplantable pig organs. This exploration includes an assessment of current progress in genetic modifications and their effectiveness in reducing or eliminating pathogen-related risks. Key findings in this study highlight important genetic traits and biochemical pathways that contribute to the elimination of porcine pathogens. These advancements include the application of gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, and the development of transgenic pigs that exhibit resistance to specific pathogens. Furthermore, the study discusses the role of antimicrobial peptides and immune system regulation in enhancing pathogen resistance. The results of this study emphasize the crucial role of genetic modifications in ensuring the biosafety of transplantable pig organs. By effectively eliminating or reducing the presence of porcine pathogens, these strategies are expected to advance the field of xenotransplantation and address the organ shortage crisis. The significance of these findings suggests that the future of pig-to-human organ transplantation will move towards a safer and more effective direction. Keywords Genetic modification; Porcine pathogens; Biosafety; Transplantable organs; Xenotransplantation 1 Introduction The global shortage of human donor organs for transplantation is a critical issue, with thousands of patients on waiting lists and many succumbing to organ failure before a suitable donor is found. Xenotransplantation, particularly using pigs as organ donors, has emerged as a promising solution to the organ shortage crisis (Lin, 2024). Pigs, in particular, are considered ideal candidates for organ donation due to their anatomical and physiological similarities to humans, as well as their high reproductive rates and relatively low maintenance costs (Denner, 2018). The potential of pigs as organ donors could significantly alleviate the organ shortage crisis, providing a sustainable and scalable source of transplantable organs. Despite the promising potential of pigs as organ donors, xenotransplantation carries significant risks, primarily due to the transmission of porcine pathogens. Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs), which are integrated into the pig genome, pose a notable risk as they have the potential to infect human cells (Denner, 2021). Additionally, other porcine viruses such as porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) and porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3) have been shown to reduce the survival time of xenotransplants and may contribute to adverse outcomes in recipients (Denner, 2022). The transmission of these pathogens could lead to serious health complications, making it imperative to address these risks to ensure the safety of xenotransplantation. The aim of genetic modifications in pigs for xenotransplantation is to enhance the biosafety of transplantable organs by eliminating or mitigating the risks posed by porcine pathogens. Advances in genome engineering technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas, have enabled the inactivation of PERVs in pigs, significantly reducing the risk of cross-species virus transmission (Niu et al., 2020). Additionally, genetic modifications can address other barriers to successful xenotransplantation, such as immune rejection, inflammation, and coagulative dysfunctions, by optimizing the expression of genes involved in these processes (Niu et al., 2020). These modifications, combined with effective immunosuppressive regimens, hold the potential to make xenotransplantation a viable and safe option for addressing the organ shortage crisis. The significance of these advancements cannot be
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODY0NQ==