Primary Porcine Kupffer Cell Phagocytosis of Human Platelets Involves the CD18 Receptor

Abstract

Our data suggest that primary pig KC bind and phagocytose human platelets with involvement of CD18. Further understanding and modification of CD18 expression in pigs may result in a liver xenograft with reduced thrombocytopenic effects, which could be used as a bridge to allogeneic liver transplantation.