Scientists perform world’s first pig-to-human lung transplant
Researchers perform a cross-species lung transplantation
- Chinese scientists at Guangzhou Medical University have performed the world's first pig-to-human lung transplant.
- The procedure involved transplanting a lung from a six-gene-edited pig into a 39-year-old brain-dead human recipient.
- The pig's genes were modified to remove proteins that could activate the human immune system following transplantation.
- The transplanted lung remained viable and functional for nine days, without immediate signs of hyperacute rejection or infection.
- Although signs of damage and antibody-mediated rejection were observed, researchers are hopeful for long-term function with further genetic modifications and improved immunosuppressive drugs.