Xenotransplantation of porcine progenitor cells in an epileptic California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)

Claire A. Simeone; John Paul Andrews; Shawn Johnson; Mariana L. Casalia; Ryan B. Kochanski; Edward F. Chang; Dianne M. Cameron; Sophie Dennison; Ben A. Inglis; Gregory N. Scott; Kris T. Kruse-Elliott; Fabian Okonski; Eric Calvo; Kelly Goulet; Dawn Robles; Ashley Griffin-Stence; Erin Kuiper; Laura Krasovec; Cara L. Field; Vanessa F. Hoard; Scott C. Baraban

doi:10.1101/2021.07.30.454497

NeurosciencebioRxivJul 30, 2021

Preprint

Xenotransplantation of porcine progenitor cells in an epileptic California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)

Claire A. Simeone iD, John Paul Andrews iD, Shawn Johnson iD, Mariana L. Casalia iD, Ryan B. Kochanski iD, Edward F. Chang iD, Dianne M. Cameron, Sophie Dennison iD, Ben A. Inglis iD, Gregory N. Scott iD, Kris T. Kruse-Elliott iD, Fabian Okonski, Eric Calvo, Kelly Goulet, Dawn Robles, Ashley Griffin-Stence, Erin Kuiper, Laura Krasovec, Cara L. Field iD, Vanessa F. Hoard, Scott C. Baraban iD

Abstract

BackgroundDomoic acid (DA) is a naturally occurring neurotoxin harmful to marine animals and humans. California sea lions exposed to DA in prey during algal blooms along the Pacific coast exhibit significant neurological symptoms, including epilepsy with hippocampal atrophy. ObservationsHere we describe a xenotransplantation procedure to deliver interneuron progenitor cells into the damaged hippocampus of an epileptic sea lion with suspected DA toxicosis. The sea lion has had no evidence of seizures following the procedure, and clinical measures of well-being including weight and feeding habits have stabilized. LessonsThese preliminary results suggest xenotransplantation has improved the quality-of-life (QOL) for this animal and holds tremendous therapeutic promise.

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