Enzyme-Treated 'Universal' Kidney Could Make ABO-Independent Transplants Possible

Researchers report converting a type A kidney to type O using antigen-stripping enzymes, creating an enzyme-converted kidney (ECO) that could be accepted by any recipient. In a brain-dead donor model, the organ functioned for days, with an immune response emerging by day three but appearing milder than typical rejection. While this proves feasibility, long-term viability and safety before human trials remain major hurdles. Published in Nature Biomedical Engineering (2025), the work could help reduce the kidney shortage—especially for type O donors—alongside other approaches like pig kidneys and new antibodies; about 11 people die daily in the US waiting for kidney transplants.