A groundbreaking breakthrough has been achieved in xenotransplantation as a gene-edited pig liver successfully transplanted into a human, marking a significant step forward for patients waiting on the liver transplant list.
The first report of a gene-edited pig liver transplanted into a person has been published by researchers. The liver, which came from a genetically modified ‘pig’ , appeared to stay active, producing bile and liver proteins inside the brain-dead transplant recipient.
Scientists have successfully edited the genes of pig livers to reduce the risk of rejection in human transplant patients.
This breakthrough could lead to a significant increase in available organs for transplantation.
The gene-edited pig liver has shown improved compatibility with human immune systems, reducing the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
Researchers are optimistic about the potential for this technology to revolutionize organ transplantation and save countless lives.
Pig liver transplants pose a particular challenge due to the complexity of the organ. Unlike the heart, which pumps blood, and the kidneys, which produce urine, the liver is an overachiever that juggles many jobs, including detoxifying the blood, making bile for digestion, weeding out old red blood cells, storing energy, and producing molecules that help the ‘blood clot’.
Doctors could potentially use the pig liver as a bridge organ to buy time for people waiting on the liver transplant list. The pig liver could be used until a human liver is available or the patient’s liver has recovered. This approach was first attempted in 2023, when researchers at the University of Pennsylvania tried using a gene-edited pig liver as a backup device.
This breakthrough is part of a string of advances in xenotransplantation, the transfer of living organs or tissues from one species into another. Doctors have already seen success with pig kidneys and hearts. One woman received a ‘gene-edited kidney’ in November and is still doing well over 100 days after her surgery.
Xenotransplantation is a medical procedure that involves transplanting organs or tissues from one species to another.
This can include transplanting animal organs into humans, such as pig hearts into human patients with heart failure.
The goal of xenotransplantation is to provide a source of donor organs for patients in need of transplants.
However, it also raises concerns about the risk of disease transmission and immune rejection.
Scientists are working to develop methods to reduce these risks and make xenotransplantation a safe and viable option for human patients.
While the pig liver transplant holds promise, it is not yet clear whether it will be a long-term solution for patients with liver disease. Previous work in primates has shown problems with pig liver transplants, and the animals that receive the livers do not tend to live long. However, researchers believe that this approach is an important step forward, as there is still much to be learned about xenotransplantation.
Xenotransplantation is a medical field that involves transplanting organs from one species to another.
This concept has been explored for decades, with the primary goal of addressing organ shortages and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers have made significant progress in xenotransplantation, particularly in pig-to-human transplants.
Pigs are chosen due to their physiological similarities to humans and genetic compatibility.
Studies have shown promising results, including successful kidney and heart transplants.
However, challenges remain, such as immune rejection and zoonotic disease transmission.
In the United States, around 10,000 people are on the national transplant list waiting for a liver. Unlike dialysis for patients waiting for kidneys, there is no long-term way to keep liver-failure patients alive. Liver dialysis exists, but it is only a temporary solution, and people still die waiting for a liver transplant.
The gene-edited pig liver transplant represents a significant breakthrough in xenotransplantation. While challenges remain, the potential benefits of this approach make it an important area of research. As scientists continue to work on improving xenotransplantation, they may uncover new solutions for patients waiting for liver transplants.
- sciencenews.org | Surgeons transplanted a pig’s liver into a human
