Genomic Validation of PERV-C-Free Pigs to Support Xenotransplantation.

ABSTRACT: Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are present in the germ lines of domesticated pigs (Sus scrofa) and related suids. There are three types of PERVs, PERV-A, -B, and -C, which differ in their host range. PERV-A and -B can infect human and porcine cells, while PERV-C only infects porcine cells. PERV-A and -B are found in the genomes of all pigs, while PERV-C is found in most but not all pigs. Although many PERV provirus insertions are defective, in vitro culture of porcine cells has produced infectious virions of all three types as well as PERV-A/C recombinants, which show enhanced replication competence. Identifying pigs that are PERV-C negative could help prevent such recombination events and would advance the development of porcine germplasm as a safer source of xenografts for human

SUBMITTER: Benjamin NR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12810672 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature