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This study suggests that the rat is a valuable species for the evaluation of genetic engineering strategies on the vascular endothelium aimed at preventing hyperacute xenograft rejection.

The use of antibodies in immunoaffinity separations represents one of the most specific methods for purifying substances of biological interest. Since the binding affinity of antibody greatly influences its behavior in such separations, it is often important to know the value of the antibody affinity expressed as an equilibrium constant K. The present review discusses the equations used in the quantitative analysis of antigen/antibody interactions and describes currently used experimental methods for measuring K values. Advantages and shortcomings of the solution phase and solid phase approaches used for measuring antibody affinity are discussed.

The association constant of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to tobacco mosaic virus has been determined in solution and solid-phase binding assays. The ELISA equilibrium titration method developed by Friguet et al. (1985) was found to be suitable for large antigens such as viruses. In the case of intact IgG antibody, it gave equilibrium constant (K) values ca 30% lower than those obtained by classical solution-phase assay while in the case of Fab', the same values were obtained in both assays. Solid-phase binding assays gave higher K values than solution-phase assays by a factor which varied with the Mab tested (1.5- to 5.4-fold higher). Furthermore, in solution-phase assay, K values were found to depend on the antibody concentration used in the assay. These results confirm the operational nature of antibody affinity constants and indicate that in order to compare the affinity of different Mabs in a meaningful way, it is necessary to use a single technique under standardized conditions.

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The use of animal organs for transplantation in humans is seen as a potential solution to the short supply of human donor organs available for clinical transplantation. However, while several attempts at clinical xenografting have been made over the last ninety years, xenotransplantation has not matched the success of allotransplantation, because of a vigorous rejection response. Xenograft rejection is mediated by mechanisms that differ from those involved in alloreactivity and which are inadequately controlled by conventional immunosuppressive agents. Xenotransplantation therefore requires the development of specific strategies to overcome rejection, through modification of the host immunity or production of genetically engineered pig organs. This article reviews the cellular and molecular events underlying xenograft rejection and the potential strategies of prevention and gives a brief history of the main attempts at clinical xenotransplantation since the beginning of the century.

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