XENOTRANS

Pig xenotransplantation is an innovative medical procedure that involves the transplantation of organs from genetically engineered pigs into humans. This groundbreaking research is being conducted by surgeons at NYU Langone Health, who successfully transplanted a genetically engineered pig kidney into a man, which continued to function well for 32 days 1. The use of genetically modified pigs, such as HLA-E/human beta2-microglobulin transgenic pigs, has shown promising results in protecting against xenogeneic human anti-pig natural killer cell cytotoxicity 2 3. Researchers have been conducting experiments in nonhuman primates using organs from modified pigs for several years, with successful outcomes 4. The first trials of pig-to-human organ xenotransplantation took place in 2021, marking a significant milestone in the field 5. These genetically modified pigs serve as a valuable source for organ xenotransplantation due to their genetic modifications, making them more compatible with human recipients.

There has been significant improvement in long term pig-to-baboon heterotopic cardiac xenograft survival. Immune suppression using an anti-CD40 antibody appears to have improved xenograft survival. The value of further donor genetic modification remains to be proven.

Appropriate Animals for Use in Xenotransplantation Pigs are preferred because they mature very quickly, produce large litters and have organs of comparable size and function to human organs in both infancy and adulthood. They also can be bred to high health standards in microbiologically controlled environments.