"Successful Long-Term Survival of Monkey with Pig Kidney Transplant Marks Major Breakthrough in Xenotransplantation"

Scientists have successfully engineered a humanized porcine donor for xenotransplantation, a potential solution to the global organ shortage crisis. The donor, created on the Yucatan miniature pig breed, lacks three major glycan antigens found in porcine cells that cause molecular incompatibilities with humans. Additionally, the donor carries seven human transgenes that regulate complement activation and coagulation, providing protection against antibody-mediated rejection and clotting. In nonhuman primate models, the humanized porcine renal graft, combined with immunosuppressive treatment, supported long-term survival for up to 2 years. This breakthrough brings us closer to clinical studies and the possibility of using xenotransplantation to address the critical shortage of organs for transplantation.