Targeting gene expression to endothelium in transgenic animals: A comparison of the human ICAM-2, PECAM-1 and endoglin promoters

It is highly likely that successful pig-to-human xenotransplantation of vascularized organs will require genetic modification of the donor pig, and in particular of donor vascular endothelium. Promoters are generally tested in transgenic mice before generating transgenic pigs. Several promoters have been used to drive endothelial cell-specific expression in mice but none have yet been tested in pigs. We compared the promoters of three human genes that are predominantly expressed in vascular endothelium: intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM-2), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1) and endoglin. Expression of human complement regulatory proteins (hCRPs), directed by each of the promoters in mice, was largely restricted to vascular endothelium and leukocyte subpopulations. However, expression from the PECAM-1 promoter was weak in liver and non-uniform in the small vessels of heart, kidney, and lung. Conversely, expression from the endoglin promoter was consistently strong in the small vessels of these organs but was absent in larger vessels. The ICAM-2 promoter, which produced strong and uniform endothelial expression in all organs examined, was therefore used to generate hCRP transgenic pigs. Leukocytes from 57 pigs containing at least one intact transgene were tested for transgene expression by flow cytometry. Forty-seven of these transgenic pigs were further analyzed by immunohistochemical staining of liver biopsies, and 18 by staining of heart and kidney sections. Only two of the pigs showed expression, which appeared to be restricted to vascular endothelium in heart and kidney but was markedly weaker than in transgenic mice produced with the same batch of DNA. Thus, in this case, promoter performance in mice and pigs was not equivalent. The weak expression driven by the human ICAM-2 promoter in pigs relative to mice suggests the need for additional regulatory elements to achieve species-specific gene expression in pigs.This work was supported in part by grants from Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia and Comunidad de Madrid to CB.Peer Reviewe

Overexpression of glutathione peroxidase with two isoforms of superoxide dismutase protects mouse islets from oxidative injury and improves islet graft function

Primary nonfunction of transplanted islets results in part from their sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during the isolation and transplantation process. Our aim was to examine whether coexpression of antioxidant enzymes to detoxify multiple ROS increased the resistance of mouse islets to oxidative stress and improved the initial function of islet grafts. Islets from transgenic mice expressing combinations of human copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD), extracellular SOD, and cellular glutathione peroxidase (Gpx-1) were subjected to oxidative stress in vitro. Relative viability after hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase treatment was as follows: extracellular SOD + Gpx-1 + Cu/Zn SOD \u3e extracellular SOD + Gpx-1 \u3e extracellular SOD \u3e wild type. Expression of all three enzymes was the only combination protective against hypoxia/ reoxygenation. Islets from transgenic or control wild-type mice were then transplanted into streptozotocin-induced diabetic recipients in a syngeneic marginal islet mass model, and blood glucose levels were monitored for 7 days. In contrast to single- and double-transgenic grafts, triple-transgenic grafts significantly improved control of blood glucose compared with wild type. Our results indicate that coexpression of antioxidant enzymes has a complementary beneficial effect and may be a useful approach to reduce primary nonfunction of islet grafts. ?? 2005 by the American Diabetes Association

Targeting gene expression to endothelium in transgenic animals: a comparison of the human ICAM-2, PECAM-1 and endoglin promoters

The definitive version is available from www.blackwell-synergy.comIt is highly likely that successful pig-to-human xenotransplantation of vascularized organs will require genetic modification of the donor pig, and in particular of donor vascular endothelium. Promoters are generally tested in transgenic mice before generating transgenic pigs. Several promoters have been used to drive endothelial cell-specific expression in mice but none have yet been tested in pigs. We compared the promoters of three human genes that are predominantly expressed in vascular endothelium: intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM-2), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1) and endoglin. Expression of human complement regulatory proteins (hCRPs), directed by each of the promoters in mice, was largely restricted to vascular endothelium and leukocyte subpopulations. However, expression from the PECAM-1 promoter was weak in liver and non-uniform in the small vessels of heart, kidney, and lung. Conversely, expression from the endoglin promoter was consistently strong in the small vessels of these organs but was absent in larger vessels. The ICAM-2 promoter, which produced strong and uniform endothelial expression in all organs examined, was therefore used to generate hCRP transgenic pigs. Leukocytes from 57 pigs containing at least one intact transgene were tested for transgene expression by flow cytometry. Forty-seven of these transgenic pigs were further analyzed by immunohistochemical staining of liver biopsies, and 18 by staining of heart and kidney sections. Only two of the pigs showed expression, which appeared to be restricted to vascular endothelium in heart and kidney but was markedly weaker than in transgenic mice produced with the same batch of DNA. Thus, in this case, promoter performance in mice and pigs was not equivalent. The weak expression driven by the human ICAM-2 promoter in pigs relative to mice suggests the need for additional regulatory elements to achieve species-specific gene expression in pigs.Peter J. Cowan, Trixie A. Shinkel, Nella Fisicaro, James W. Godwin, Carmelo Bernabéu, Nuria Almendro, Carlos Rius, Andrew J. Lonie, Mark B. Nottle, Peter L. Wigley, Kathy Paizis, Martin J. Pearse and Anthony J. F. d'Apic