A collaborative team created a renewable source of pig macrophages, enabling comparative ASF studies across species and reducing reliance on live animals.
Researchers from The Pirbright Institute, The Roslin Institute, and partners in Germany and Scotland have developed a stem cell platform that generates pig immune cells on demand. This breakthrough provides a renewable source of macrophages—the immune cells targeted by African swine fever virus (ASFv)—and opens new possibilities for comparative studies across pig species.
Macrophages play a central role in ASF infection, but they cannot be cultured long-term. The new platform overcomes this barrier by creating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from domestic pigs, wild boar, red river hogs, and warthogs.
These iPSCs can be stored and later directed to develop into macrophages whenever needed. This innovation ensures a consistent supply of biologically relevant cells. It reduces reliance on live animals and addresses ethical and logistical challenges in ASF research.
Laboratory tests confirmed that macrophages from all four species supported ASFv infection and replication. However, warthog macrophages displayed a muted immune response compared with the strong inflammatory reaction seen in domestic pigs.
This difference may explain why warthogs rarely show clinical signs of ASF, while domestic pigs often suffer severe disease. By enabling direct comparisons, the platform provides valuable clues to resilience mechanisms that could inform breeding strategies for farmed pigs.
Generating macrophages from stem cells makes ASF studies possible in rare pig species without fresh samples. Dr Chris Netherton, Group Leader of the African Swine Fever group at The Pirbright Institute, explained that working with biologically relevant cells from species with differing outcomes after infection offers a whole new approach to tackling the disease.
A consistent source of macrophages is also a major advance for infection and immunity research. Dr Tom Burdon of the Roslin Institute emphasized that reliable access to these cells will support long‑term projects and deepen understanding of how pigs respond to ASF infection.
The findings could support breeding programs aimed at enhancing resilience or resistance to ASF in farmed pigs. Scientists hope this technology will strengthen global food security by reducing ASF’s impact on pig production worldwide.
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