This is the first time in the world that a gene-edited pig liver has been transplanted into a human body. The success of this research is a major breakthrough in the field of xenogeneic organ transplantation and a key step towards the clinical application of xenogeneic liver transplantation.It will help solve the shortage of transplant organs.
It is understood that Dou Kefeng led a research team from Xijing Hospital and other institutions to use a pig that had undergone six gene edits as a donor to transplant the pig's liver into a brain-dead human whose basic body functions were still maintained. The human recipient's own liver was retained, thus simulating the alternative supportive treatment process for patients with clinical liver failure.
The observation period was 10 days until the end of the observation period. The transplanted pig liver had normal color and texture, good hemodynamics, and could continue to secrete bile. Changes in transaminase, bilirubin, porcine-derived albumin and other indicators in the peripheral blood were in line with physiological expectations. The coagulation function could be maintained in a relatively stable state. Complement activation, T cell and B cell responses related to the recipient's immune response were all well suppressed.
At the same time, no endogenous porcine retrovirus has been found to spread in humans.
The above research results explain:The combination of the donor pig's six-gene editing strategy and the recipient-specific immunosuppression regimen is safe and effective in controlling hyperacute rejection and acute rejection of xenogeneic liver transplantation. Pig liver can perform normal physiological functions in the human body, and cross-species infections will not occur in the short term.