biostudies-literatureUnknown8(5)Ramm RGerman Research FoundationDeutsche Herzstiftung e. V.Decellularization of xenogeneic heart valves might lead to excellent regenerative implants, from which many patients could benefit. However, this material carries various xenogeneic epitopes and thus bears a considerable inherent immunological risk. Here, we investigated the regenerative and immunogenic potential of xenogeneic decellularized heart valve implants using pigs deficient for the galactosyltransferase gene (GGTA1-KO) as novel large animal model. Decellularized aortic and pulmonary heart valves obtained from sheep, wild-type pigs or GGTA1-KO pigs were implanted into GGTA1-KO pigs for 3, or 6 months, respectively. Explants were analyzed histologically, immunhistologically (CD3, CD21 and CD172a) and anti-αGal antibody serum titers were determined by ELISA. Xenogeneic sheep derived Regenerative biomaterialsrbab036https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8329474biostudies-literatureImmunological and functional features of decellularized xenogeneic heart valves after transplantation into GGTA1-KO pigs.PMC8329474Kohler PTudorache ICiubotaru APetersen BHoffler KGoecke THaverich ABothe FNiemann HRamm RSarikouch SCebotari SHilfiker AfalseImmunological and functional features of decellularized xenogeneic heart valves after transplantation into GGTA1-KO pigs.Decellularization of xenogeneic heart valves might lead to excellent regenerative implants, from which many patients could benefit. However, this material carries various xenogeneic epitopes and thus bears a considerable inherent immunological risk. Here, we investigated the regenerative and immunogenic potential of xenogeneic decellularized heart valve implants using pigs deficient for the galactosyltransferase gene (GGTA1-KO) as novel large animal model. Decellularized aortic and pulmonary heart valves obtained from sheep, wild-type pigs or GGTA1-KO pigs were implanted into GGTA1-KO pigs for 3, or 6 months, respectively. Explants were analyzed histologically, immunhistologically (CD3, CD21 and CD172a) and anti-αGal antibody serum titers were determined by ELISA. Xenogeneic sheep derived 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Oct2025-06-01T03:29:35.083Z2024-11-15T21:38:02.711ZS-EPMC83294743592818010.1093/rb/rbab036