ANTI-GAL ANTIBODY-MEDIATED ALLOGRAFT REJECTION IN ??1,3-GALACTOSYLTRANSFERASE GENE KNOCKOUT MICE

Abstract

The results of this study suggest that the Gal KO mouse is a useful small animal vascularized allograft model, in which the role of anti-alphaGal antibody in graft rejection can be studied in isolation from other rejection mechanisms. The titer of anti-alphaGal antibody was found to be the critical determinant of rejection. The histopathological features of rejection in this model are very similar to other models of delayed xenograft rejection, in both the timing and composition of the cellular infiltrate. The Gal KO mouse therefore provides a new rodent model, which will aid in the identification of the distinct components involved in the pathogenesis of delayed xenograft rejection.