Adhesive functions of both chains of VLA-integrins are not fully conserved across the human-porcine species barrier: implications for xenotransplantation.

Background: A possible solution to the shortage of organs for transplantation would be the use of swine as source animals. As current immunosuppressive protocols cannot prevent rejection of these organs, super-selective immunosuppression or the induction of donor-specific central tolerance represent two promising approaches. Central tolerance induction involves bone marrow transplantation, and depends on intrathymic deletion of donor reactive host cells by donor antigen-presenting cells.