Prospect in PERV studies
Since the risk of PERV infection is only amplified in xenotransplantation, the studies of PERVs have been proceeding slowly in the past decades. With the advent of the CRISPR technology, genetic modification can overcome immune rejection, physiological disorders and other obstacles in xenotransplantation. Meanwhile, understanding the role of PERVs in the porcine immune system will be helpful in revealing the pathogenesis of porcine diseases and alerting the risk in xenotransplantation. The mechanisms of how PERVs are regulated by the host and how they interact with HERVs in xenotransplantation require more attention and further exploration. Moreover, the deficiency in PERV studies will become a barrier to hinder the progress of xenotransplantation, and thus more efforts need to be taken on this pivotal subject.