New reporter system for porcine endothelial cell activation

Endothelial activation after xenotransplantation of organs involves an increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium ions [Ca2+] that serve as second messengers involved in the regulation of numerous cellular processes. In order to monitor this process, we developed transgenic pigs expressing a Ca2+-sensitive protein and examined its principal characteristics. Primary transgenic endothelial cells stimulated by ATP showed a definite and short influx of Ca2+ into the cytosol, whereas exposure to human serum resulted in a more intense and sustained response. This novel reporter system represents an interesting tool to dissect factors inducing activation of porcine endothelial cells and to follow spatial events in an endothelial cell layer.

https://doi.org/10.1111/xen.12585