xenotransplantationinvolve

Xenotransplantation involves transplanting living cells, tissues, or organs from one species into another. In humans, most research uses organs or tissues from pigs or, less commonly, non-human primates. The goal is to address shortages of human donor organs and provide treatments for conditions such as end-stage organ failure or diabetes.

The procedure typically includes selecting a suitable donor animal, genetically modifying the donor to reduce immune rejection and limit infectious risk (for example, knocking out xenogeneic antigens and adding human regulatory proteins), and then performing the transplantation under immunosuppressive regimens. After transplantation, recipients are monitored for graft function and signs of xenograft rejection, as well as for potential infections.

Applications and approaches include pig-to-human whole-organ transplants (heart, kidney, liver), islet cell transplantation for diabetes, and tissue grafts. Advances in gene editing, organ perfusion, and immunosuppression have expanded the feasibility of xenotransplantation, and some clinical trials and compassionate-use cases have been reported.

Risks and challenges include multiple forms of rejection (hyperacute, acute vascular, and cellular), zoonotic disease transmission such as porcine viruses, ethical and welfare concerns regarding donor animals, and public health considerations. Long-term graft survival and the management of chronic infections remain areas of active research.

Regulatory oversight by agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and international bodies requires rigorous preclinical data, containment, and long-term follow-up to assess safety and efficacy. The field is described as experimental and under study, with ongoing debate about ethics, cost, and access.