First Human Trial of Pig Lung Transplant Shows Promise
In a groundbreaking medical feat, scientists have successfully transplanted lungs from a genetically modified pig into a human recipient. This marks the first trial of its kind, known as xenotransplantation, and offers hope for addressing the critical shortage of donor organs.
The lungs, sourced from a specially bred Bama Xiang minipig with six edited genes, functioned for an impressive 216 hours inside a brain-dead human recipient before inflammation caused damage. This trial, detailed in Nature Medicine, is a significant step forward in the field.
Scientists have been working to make pig organs more compatible with the human body. Unaltered pig organs contain proteins that trigger immune rejection and are also at risk of transmitting viruses. Through gene editing, researchers have removed these problematic proteins and added human genes, creating a more human-friendly organ. This approach has already been used successfully with pig hearts, livers, and kidneys, and now lungs have joined the list.
The Bama Xiang minipig was chosen for its anatomical and physiological similarities to human lungs and its smaller size, which facilitates handling and experimentation. Despite the setback caused by inflammation, the 216-hour survival of the pig lung is a promising sign. The ultimate goal of xenotransplantation is to alleviate the severe shortage of donor organs, with approximately 13 people dying each day while waiting for a transplant.
The first trial of a cross-species lung transplant in humans, using a genetically modified pig, has shown promising results. Although inflammation caused damage after 216 hours, the successful function of the pig lung for this duration brings us one step closer to addressing the critical need for donor organs. Further research and development are needed to overcome the challenges posed by immune rejection and to ensure the safety and efficacy of this innovative approach.
