UAB Announces Xenotransplantation Breakthrough

UAB researchers have successfully transplanted kidneys from a genetically modified pig into a brain-dead human recipient Read on to learn more about the study’s “world’s first” achievements.

UAB Announces Xenotransplantation Breakthrough

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine have announced peer-reviewed research that could alleviate the worldwide organ shortage crisis through xenotransplantation.  For the first time, a person received 2 kidneys from a pig genetically modified to be compatible with a human.  The transplanted kidneys filtered blood, produced urine and were not immediately rejected. Additionally, the kidneys remained viable during the study’s 77 hour timeframe.

What is Xenotransplantation?

Xenotransplantation is any procedure that puts live cells, tissues or organs from an animal into a human recipient.  It’s a centuries old proposal that gains steam whenever new technology brings scientists closer to making xenotransplantation a reality.  Besides kidneys, other potential xenotransplantation products include pigskin for burns and pig pancreatic islets for diabetes.

Ten people die every day in the U.S. waiting to receive a donor organ. The demand for these life-saving procedures far exceeds organ availability. Xenotransplantation research offers hope to the thousands of people with organ disease, injury and failure.

The Study

In the study, published in the American Journal of Transplantation, UAB researchers tested the first human preclinical model for transplantation of genetically modified pig kidneys.  The study replicated the steps that may be taken in a xenotransplant clinical trial.  You can read the details of each step here.

Approval was obtained from an Institutional Review Board and an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee prior to the surgery.

World’s Firsts

UAB’s researchers achieved several “world’s firsts” through the study.  These included:

  • First peer-reviewed study of a genetically modified pig kidney transplanted into the body of a brain-dead recipient.
  • First study on a pig-to-human transplant using kidneys with 10 key gene modifications that make the kidneys suitable for direct clinical-grade therapeutic use in humans
  • First validation of a UAB-developed test for compatibility before xenotransplantation.
  • First peer-reviewed/published study to establish brain death as a viable preclinical human model.

 

About the Recipient

The recipient, Jim Parsons, was a 57 year- old registered organ donor through Legacy of Hope; however, his organs did not meet the criteria for donation.  Mr. Parson’s ex-wife and children agreed to participate in the study after being approached by Dr. Jayme Locke, director of UAB’s Comprehensive Transplant Institute, and a representative with Legacy of Hope.  The family agreed for UAB to keep him on a ventilator to allow his body to continue functioning for 77 hours, the total length of the study.  Dr. Locke stated, “Mr. Parsons and his family allowed us to replicate precisely how we would perform this transplant in a living human.”  In honor of Parson’s gift, the researchers have proposed the preclinical model to be known as “The Parsons model”.

UAB Transplant and Xenotransplant Team

UAB medicine, as a world leader in organ transplantation, performed 9,055 kidney transplants from 1988 to 2021.  The xenotransplantation program at UAB was implemented in 2016 with a focus on addressing the organ shortage crisis.  UAB’s program is also conducting focus groups with local religious, business, political and community leaders to study attitudes toward future clinical trials. You can read more about the program here.

Organ Donation Options Needed

Did you know that kidney disease kills more people each year than breast or prostate cancer? About 5 to 15 percent of dialysis patients die every year and the 8-year survival rate is only around 35 percent.  In comparison, more than 95% of kidney transplants are successful in curing end-stage renal disease.  More than 90,000 people are waiting on a kidney and fewer than 25,000 transplants are performed each year.  The wait for a donor kidney can be as long as five to ten years.  

Let’s Hear From You

What moral or ethical concerns do you have around xenotransplantation (I.e. animal rights, genetic coding issues and potential zoonosis infection)?l

References

First clinical-grade porcine kidney xenotransplant  using a human decedent mode

Xenotransplantation

The 10-gene pig and other medical science advances enabled UAB’s transplant of a pig kidney into a brain-dead human recipient

Aging and Kidney Disease

Frequently asked questions about xenotransplantation

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J.Adderton

About J.Adderton, BSN, MSN

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Experienced nurse specializing in clinical leadership, staff development and nursing education.

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Specializes in Home health.

Eh sounds like animal cruelty to me. Sad I feel like they're already slaughtering them for food now for their organs?

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On 1/31/2022 at 5:29 PM, Ashlee59 said:

Eh sounds like animal cruelty to me. Sad I feel like they're already slaughtering them for food now for their organs?

The flip side is that plenty of animals are already being slaughtered, and their kidneys being discarded. Perhaps this way, they could make use of organs that would be going to waste.

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

I know animals are killed for food all the time and I'm no vegetarian.  But this is causing an unsettling feeling in my gut and I'm not sure why.  I can pin my own feelings down because of course I'm happy that people in need of transplant may eventually have options and it could save lives.  But at the same time, I feel unsettled.  Anyone have an idea of why?

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Specializes in Home health.
58 minutes ago, dream'n said:

I know animals are killed for food all the time and I'm no vegetarian.  But this is causing an unsettling feeling in my gut and I'm not sure why.  I can pin my own feelings down because of course I'm happy that people in need of transplant may eventually have options and it could save lives.  But at the same time, I feel unsettled.  Anyone have an idea of why?

I feel the same way. I feel people are crazy these days and will start killing animals at random just to sell their organs on the black market. Hide your farm animals, hide your dogs ,hide your cats because this generation of people are wicked. I'm not happy with this either. I feel the news puts too much info out there to the point where dangerous people get ideas

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Specializes in Home health.
On 2/4/2022 at 3:54 PM, adventure_rn said:

The flip side is that plenty of animals are already being slaughtered, and their kidneys being discarded. Perhaps this way, they could make use of organs that would be going to waste.

All I have to say is if you have pets hide them. Because nothing good is going to come of this. This generation of people are crazy. The news talks to much to the point it gives dangerous people ideas.  This is not good news at all. I feel crazy people are going to start invading farms and  stealing people's pets so that they can sell their organs on the black market. People are overall evil so I really don't think a person deserve an innocent animals organs.

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