Scientists at Guangzhou Medical University in China performed an impeccable feat of lung transplantation from pig to human.
As per media reports, the transplant recipient, a 39-year-old brain-dead man, received the genetically engineered pig lung in May 2024, with the organ functioning effectively for nine days without immediate hyper-acute rejection or infection.
Although there was no hyper-acute rejection, an immediate, violent immune response, the lung began showing fluid buildup (edema) within 24 hours, possibly due to ischemia–reperfusion injury. By the ninth day, the transplant was halted at the request of the patient's family.
The transplant has been hailed as a milestone in xenotransplantation, especially since lungs are more exposed to pollutants and pathogens.
What is xenotransplantation?
According to the US FDA, Xenotransplantation is any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation or infusion into a human recipient of either (a) live cells, tissues, or organs from a nonhuman animal source, or (b) human body fluids, cells, tissues or organs that have had ex vivo contact with live nonhuman animal cells, tissues or organs.
The donor pig had undergone six genetic edits to reduce immune risks. Postoperative monitoring of respiration, blood, and imaging showed that the transplanted lung sustained ventilation and gas-exchange functions for up to nine days, with no occurrence of hyperacute rejection during this period, Global Times reported.
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“This is a promising yet preliminary step. Clinical use in living patients is still a long way ahead,” said experts.
