BACKGROUND: A major barrier to the clinical application of xenotransplantation as a treatment option for patients is T cell-mediated rejection. Studies based on experimental rodent models of xenograft tolerance or rejection in vivo have provided useful information about the role of T cell immune response in xenotransplantation. However not all observations seen in rodents faithfully recapitulate the human situation This study aimed to establish a humanized mouse model of xenotransplantation, which mimics xenograft rejection in the context of the human immune system. METHODS: NOD-SCID IL2rγ -/- mice were transplanted with neonatal porcine islet cell clusters (NICC) followed by reconstitution of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Human leukocyte engraftment and islet xenograft rejection were confirmed by flow cytometric and histological analyses. RESULTS: In the absence of human PBMC, porcine NICC transplanted into NOD-SCID IL2rγ -/- mice revealed excellent graft integrity and endocrine function. Human PBMC demonstrated a high level of engraftment in NOD-SCID IL2rγ -/- mice. Reconstitution of NICC recipient NOD-SCID IL2rγ -/- mice with human PBMC led to the rapid destruction of NICC xenografts in a PBMC number-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Human PBMC-reconstituted NOD-SCID IL2rγ -/- mice provide an ideal model to study human immune responses in xenotransplantation. Studies based on this humanized mouse model will provide insight for improving the outcomes of clinical xenotransplantation.
