Pig Kidneys Successfully Transplanted Into Humans, Marking Major Breakthrough in Organ Transplants
Scientists have taken another major step toward solving the global shortage of human donor organs after genetically engineered pig kidneys were successfully transplanted into human patients.
The development, known as xenotransplantation, involves transplanting organs from animals into humans. Researchers have spent decades trying to overcome the body's natural tendency to reject animal organs, but recent advances in genetic engineering are producing increasingly promising results.
According to biotechnology company eGenesis, five patients at Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States have received genetically engineered pig kidneys since March 2024. In three of those cases, the transplanted kidneys reportedly functioned for more than eight months without rejection or the need for dialysis.
How the Pig Kidneys Were Made Compatible
The kidneys were obtained from Yucatan miniature pigs because their organs are similar in size to human kidneys.
However, the organs could not simply be transplanted into humans in their natural state. Scientists genetically modified the pigs to make the kidneys more compatible with the human immune system.
Three pig proteins associated with immune rejection were deactivated, while seven human genes were added to improve compatibility. Researchers also modified the pigs' genetic material to reduce the risk posed by endogenous retroviruses that could potentially infect human recipients.
These genetic changes are designed to address some of the biggest challenges that have historically prevented animal-to-human organ transplantation from becoming a routine medical procedure.
Patient Lived for Nearly Nine Months With a Pig Kidney
One of the most significant cases involved Tim Andrews, who received a genetically engineered pig kidney at the age of 66.
The transplanted kidney continued functioning for nearly nine months, allowing him to live without dialysis during that period. Although the pig kidney eventually failed, doctors did not find evidence that the organ had been rejected by his immune system.
Andrews was subsequently able to receive a deceased-donor human kidney. Medical assessments indicated that the earlier pig kidney transplant did not prevent the human kidney from functioning successfully.
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