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P1.26 Genetic diversity and population structure of GTKO-engineered Xeno pigs across generations based on SNP analysis

W Lee, Korea

National Institute of Animal Science

Abstract

Genetic diversity and population structure of GTKO-engineered Xeno pigs across generations based on SNP analysis

Won Kil Lee1, Min Hwa Do1, Sang Eun Kim1, Miae Oh1, Namwoong Hyung1, Ju Young Lee1, Seunghoon Lee1, Jin-Gu No1, Seokho Kim1, Keon Bong Oh1.

1Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Wanju-gun, Korea

Xeno pigs, crossbreeds of Chicago miniature pigs and Landrace pigs genetically engineered to lack the α1,3-galactosyltransferase (GTKO) gene, have been established as effective models for xenotransplantation by mitigating hyperacute immune rejection. In this study, the genetic diversity of Xeno pigs (generations 7–11) was assessed in comparison to control groups, including Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) pigs (positive control for hematopoietic cell and solid organ transplantation research), Landrace (LR; negative control), and Yorkshire × Landrace (Y/L) pigs, using 67,283 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that Xeno pigs formed a distinct genetic cluster, clearly separated from MGH, LR, and Y/L breeds. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis demonstrated a progressive increase in LD within the Xeno pig population across generations, while the LD size difference between Xeno pigs and conventional breeds remained substantial, indicating limited recombination and introgression from external genetic lines. Estimates of effective population size (Ne) further corroborated this trend. Genetic distance metrics and phylogenetic analyses confirmed significant divergence and low genetic relatedness between Xeno pigs and the other breeds. Furthermore, admixture analysis, with an optimal K value of 3 determined by the lowest cross-validation (CV) error, demonstrated that Xeno pigs maintained a distinct ancestral genome with minimal admixture from conventional breeds. These findings underscore the necessity of continuous genomic surveillance to ensure the maintenance of xenotransplantation-relevant traits and genetic homogeneity in the Xeno pig population through selective breeding.

This study was supported by the RDA Fellowship Program of the National Institute of Amimal Science, Rural Development administration, Republic of Korea. This study was conducted with the support of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) Xenograft Research and Development Project (Project number HI23C0417) funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

References:

[1] xenotransplantation
[2] single nucleotide polymorphisms
[3] α1,3-galactosyltransferase
[4] genetic diversity
[5] Xeno pig
[6] MGH pig

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