Japan Produces First Pigs for Organ Transplants
Japanese researchers have achieved a significant milestone in the field of organ transplantation by producing three piglets cloned from a genetically modified pig designed to prevent rejection of its organs in humans. The breakthrough by PorMedTec Co., a Kawasaki-based company affiliated with Meiji University, marks a crucial step in addressing the global shortage of human organ donors.
The piglets were born via Caesarean section on February 11, following extensive research collaboration between Kagoshima University and Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine. The team plans to transplant the pigs' kidneys into monkeys to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the organs. If successful, human trials could commence as early as this summer, with the ultimate goal of performing xenotransplantation—transplanting pig kidneys into humans.
The genetically modified pig, developed by the U.S. biotech firm eGenesis, was engineered with multiple gene modifications to overcome organ rejection in human recipients. Previous experiments in the United States involving transplants of kidneys from similar genetically modified pigs into monkeys yielded promising results, with some monkeys surviving for up to two years post-transplant.
Dr. Hisashi Sahara, leading the pig kidney transplant team at Kagoshima University, emphasized the importance of comprehensive testing and assessment to ensure the safety and viability of xenotransplantation procedures in Japan. He highlighted the need for rigorous evaluation of pathogen testing, breeding management, transportation, and transplantation processes.
Professor Hiroshi Nagashima of Meiji University, founder of PorMedTec, expressed optimism about the future of xenotransplantation, envisioning the transplantation of pig kidneys into humans by 2025 and subsequent transplants of pig hearts. With only 3 percent of organ-failure patients in Japan receiving organs from brain-dead donors, xenotransplantation offers a promising solution to the critical shortage of donated human organs.
Xenotransplantation has long been explored as a potential solution to the organ shortage crisis, and recent advancements in genome editing technology have accelerated progress in this field. The successful transplantation of a genetically modified pig heart to a patient with end-stage heart failure at the University of Maryland in 2022 garnered widespread attention, further fueling research efforts in xenotransplantation.
While challenges remain, including ensuring the long-term viability and safety of xenotransplanted organs, these recent developments represent significant strides towards realizing the potential of pig organ transplants to save countless lives worldwide. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of medical science, the hope for a future where organ transplantation is no longer limited by donor availability grows ever closer to reality.
