Production of Recombinant Human Factor VIII in the Milk of Transgenic Rabbits

Abstract

The stability of milk production, quality and content of recombinant human factor VIII (rhFVIII) in transgenic rabbits was determined. Transgenic rabbits carrying the mouse whey acid protein promoter (mWAP) and human factor VIII gene (hFVIII) were born after mating of transgenic and non-transgenic rabbits. PCR analysis of samples from F4 generation showed that the transgene was transmitted. Milk production, obtained at 10th, 15th, 20th and 30th day of the first lactation by weight-suckle-weight method, showed no significant difference between transgenic and non-transgenic does. No significant difference between transgenic and non-transgenic rabbit milk composition was also found. ELISA test confirmed rhFVIII at the level of 3 – 12 μg/ml. Milk sample from non-transgenic rabbit was hFVIII negative. In conclusion, the stabilty of hFVIII transgene transmission and production of rhFVIII was confirmed in F4 generation of transgenic rabbits, with lower efficiency than in F1, F2 and F3 generations, but without reduction in milk production.