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.