Initial investigation of the potential of modified porcine erythrocytes for transfusion in primates

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Abstract
Abstract: There is a shortage of human blood for transfusion. The possibility of usingα‐galactosidase‐treated pig red blood cells (pRBCs) for transfusion into humans has been investigated. pRBCs were treated in vitro withα‐galactosidase. In vitro binding of antibodies (Abs) in baboon or human sera to untreated/treated pRBCs was assessed by flow cytometry and serum cytotoxicity. In vivo clearance rates of (1) autologous baboon red blood cells (RBCs), (2) unmodified pRBCs, and (3)α‐galactosidase‐treated pRBCs were measured after transfusion into baboons receiving either no treatment or depletion of complement ± depletion of anti‐Galα1–3Gal (Gal) Ab or of macrophage phagocytes. In vitro binding of baboon or human Abs to treated pRBCs was absent or minimal compared with untreated pRBCs, and serum cytotoxicity was completely inhibited. In vivo autologous baboon RBCs survived for >16 days and unmodified pRBCs for α‐galactosidase treatment of pRBCs will be required.