Neonatal Porcine Sertoli Cells Inhibit Human Natural Antibody-Mediated Lysis

Sertoli cells protect cotransplanted cells from allogeneic and xenogeneic rejection. Additionally, neonatal porcine Sertoli cells (NPSCs) survive long-term as xenografts in nonimmunosuppressed rodents. This has led to the hypothesis that NPSCs could be used to prevent cellular rejection in clinical transplantation, thereby eliminating the need for chronic immunosuppression. Prior to transplantation of NPSCs in humans it is necessary to determine whether they are also protected from humoral-mediated xenograft rejection. The presence of Gal(alpha)Gal epitope) as well as binding of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM to NPSCs was examined by immunocytochemical and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. (alpha)Gal, binding of xenoreactive antibodies, and the activation of complement, NPSCs survive human antibody and complement-mediated lysis by preventing MAC formation. This suggests that NPSCs may be able to survive humoral-mediated rejection in a clinical situation.