Context: The first recipient of a modified pig kidney transplant passed away recently around two months after the surgery was carried out.
About Xenotransplantation
- In January 2022, the first xenotransplantation of a genetically modified pig heart was done. However, the patient passed away after two months due to a range of factors, including being tainted with a latent virus in the pig heart, which may have contributed to the dysfunction of the transplant.
- Xenotransplantation is any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation or infusion into a human recipient of either:
- live cells, tissues, or organs from a nonhuman animal source
- human body fluids, cells, tissues or organs that have had ex vivo contact with live nonhuman animal cells, tissues or organs.
Essentially, it is the use of animal cells and organs to heal humans.
- Need: Cross-species transplantation offers the prospect of an unlimited supply of organs and cells for clinical transplantation and addresses the shortage of organs from human donors.
- Source: Pigs are the most commonly considered animals due to their size compatibility and organ similarities with humans. Gene editing in pigs to reduce immune rejection has made organ transplants from pigs to humans possible. Natural lifespan of a pig is 30 years, they are easily bred and can have organs of similar size to humans.
- Limitations: However, successful xenotransplantation faces challenges such as organ rejection, risk of cross-species infections and social acceptance.