Scientists genetically edited pig kidneys and transplanted them into humans
In a new study, scientists successfully transplanted genetically modified pig kidneys into a human patient and showed that kidney function was maintained for at least a week.Scientists have demonstrated that genetically edited pig kidneys transplanted into humans function for at least a week without signs of rejection. The breakthrough case study will help reduce the lists of patients waiting for organ transplants.
In cases of advanced disease, organ transplantation is often the only option. But finding enough suitable donors remains a challenge. A technique known as xenotransplantation aims to remedy the situation by transplanting organs from animals to humans. In this case, pigs are considered the most promising due to the fact that their organs are of similar size. To reduce the risk of rejection, they are genetically edited to exclude certain animal genes and insert some human genes.
Scientists have had some recent successes. Last year, surgeons performed the first human heart transplant from a pig on a living patient who lived for another two months before passing away due to heart failure. Other teams have implanted pig kidneys and hearts into patients with confirmed brain death. However, the organs functioned and showed no signs of rejection during the three-day period of the experiment when the patients were kept on life support. They had previously donated their bodies for scientific experiments.
As part of a new study by University of Alabama researchers, the scientists extended the experiment to a full week. The patient is a man in his 50s. He has a history of chronic kidney disease and had no other treatment options left. Eventually, he was diagnosed with brain death.
He was transplanted with pig kidneys that had undergone 10 gene modifications. Scientists removed four pig genes that can cause rejection and inserted six human genes that prevent coagulation.
Within seven days, biomarkers indicated that the transplanted kidneys were functioning well. They successfully produced urine and also improved creatinine clearance from the blood, a key indicator of kidney function. The scientists also found no evidence of microscopic blood clots forming in the kidneys.
While there is still much work to be done before this procedure can be performed routinely and universally in hospitals, it is an important step toward premature death for people waiting for organ donations.
The study is published in the journal JAMA Surgery.