Animal models for transplant immunology: bridging bench to bedside

Minseok Kang; Hwon Kyum Park; Kyeong Sik Kim; Dongho Choi

doi:10.4285/ctr.24.0029

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Clin Transplant Res 2024; 38(4): 354-376

Published online December 31, 2024

https://doi.org/10.4285/ctr.24.0029

Animal models for transplant immunology: bridging bench to bedside

Minseok Kang¹, Hwon Kyum Park¹, Kyeong Sik Kim¹, Dongho Choi^1,2,3,4

¹Department of Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
²Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
³Research Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
⁴Department of HY-KIST Bio-convergence, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence to: Kyeong Sik Kim
Department of Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
E-mail: toopjoo12@gmail.com

Dongho Choi
Department of Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
E-mail: crane87@hanyang.ac.kr

Received: June 20, 2024; Revised: July 5, 2024; Accepted: July 7, 2024

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

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Abstract

The progress of transplantation has been propelled forward by animal experiments. Animal models have not only provided opportunities to understand complex immune mechanisms in transplantation but also served as a platform to assess therapeutic interventions. While small animals have been instrumental in uncovering new therapeutic concepts related to immunosuppression and immune tolerance, the progression to human trials has largely been driven by studies in large animals. Recent research has begun to explore the potential of porcine organs to address the shortage of available organs. The consistent progress in transplant immunology research can be attributed to a thorough understanding of animal models. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available animal models, detailing their modifications, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their historical applications, to aid researchers in selecting the most suitable model for their specific research needs.

Keywords: Animal models, Graft rejection, Immunosuppression therapy, Immune tolerance, Xenotransplantation

HIGHLIGHTS

Small animal models offer cost-effectiveness and genetic manipulability, while large animal models provide greater genetic diversity with higher costs.
Immune reactions damage allografts; animal models have been used to provide explanations of ischemia-reperfusion injuries, acute cellular and humoral rejection, and chronic rejection.
Historically, advances in immunosuppressive regimens and tolerance induction strategies have been guided by animal models.
Efforts are being made to overcome immune barriers of porcine xenotransplantation, potentially providing a near-term solution to organ shortages.