Scientists transplant genetically modified pig lung into human for first time
Nature Medicine, the first affiliated hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, reported that the monitoring time was 216 hours (9 days) and the experiment was terminated on the 9th day. The team functions on this monitoring window.
This genetic modification contained six precision arrangements using CRISPR technology designed to make the Pig lung more compatible with the human immune system. Three genes coding the sugars that trigger the refusal of immunity were disabled, while three people who regulated inflammation and immune response were placed. Donor pig, a miniature pig, was raised in a very sterile environment to minimize the risk of infection.
Procedure, results and difficulties
The receiving disaster had a brain hemorrhage and the brain was declared dead. After the family consent, the surgeons replaced the left lung with the lungs, while the right lung left intact to support breathing. The transplan lung successfully released oxygenated blood and carbon dioxide during its functional period. However, since the local right lung remained, the team could not prove that the lung supports life on its own.
In particular, the lung, a widespread cause of early transplant failure, refrained from hyperacut rejection. However, within 24 hours, he developed significant swelling due to the accumulation of lung tissue fluid and immune attacks such as antibody and complement system reactions until the third day damaged the organ.
Although nine -day survival was limited, it has overcome previous initiatives and pointed to increasing progress in overcoming the rejection of the human immune system. The authors of the study emphasized that additional genetic modifications and optimized immunosuppressive treatments were needed to further increase the lung xenography survival.
Next way
Ksenotransplantation specialists have warned that lung transplantation creates more complex difficulties than kidneys or hearts because of their unique roles in blood filtration, temperature arrangement, and unique roles in exposure to pathogens by breathing. Richard Pierson, Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, who worked on Ksenotransplantation, said, “A pork is a bit optimistic,” he said.
Clinical need and future potential
Human donor lungs are acute and thousands of people are waiting for transplantation every year. According to the Global Donation and Transplant Observatory, 8,236 lung transplantation was carried out worldwide in 2024, but an increase in previous years, but demand exceeds a lot of supply. Xenotransplantation promises to close this gap by providing plenty of organ supply.
In China, companies such as Clonorgan Biotechnology and US -based companies Ergenesis and Revivicor are constantly developing pigs arranged by genes to create organs free of zoonotic viruses. Beyond the genetic regulation, approaches involving temporary immune suppression and antibody neutralization are actively examined.
FAQ
Q: Why is lung xenotransplantation more difficult than other organs?
C: Pulmonary, blood filtration, temperature regulation, platelet production, pH balance, immune defense, and exposure to external pathogens by breathing, which is highly sensitive to immune rejection and complications.
Q: How genetically changed the pig lung?
A: Donor pig had six gene regulations-three gene knocked out of the genealogy-triggering sugars, and three people genes that regulate inflammation and complementary activation were added to reduce the risk of rejection.
Q: How long did the transplanted lung lasted and cause failure?
A: Pig lung worked for nine days, successfully oxygenated blood. Failure, inflammation, tissue swelling and primarily from antibodies and complementary immune system caused damage to the immune reactions.
Q: Is this procedure currently available for patients?
A: No, the brain was a critical research step in this experimental surgery in a dead patient. Considering the remaining complexities and difficulties, the widespread clinical practice is still in the future.
