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Physiologic incompatibilities in discordant xenotransplantation
1Department of Surgery, Institute of Surgical Sciences, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
At present, several incompatibilities between pig and human, not only from the immunologic point of view but also regarding physiological and molecular systems, have been identified. It is anticipated that this is only the tip of the iceberg regarding this topic. However, there are also many systems that are compatible. Strategies have been outlined, and many tools, such as gene modification, are available to solve the problems. Therefore, the statement by Keith Reemtsma in the foreward to the latest issue of the monography Xenotransplantation "The important question is not whether xenotransplantation will succeed, but rather how and under what circumstances xenografts will provide predictable enough results to warrent clinical application" will hopefully be a reality in the future.
At present, several incompatibilities between pig and human, not only from the immunologic point of view but also regarding physiological and molecular systems, have been identified. It is anticipated that this is only the tip of the iceberg regarding this topic. However, there are also many systems that are compatible. Strategies have been outlined, and many tools, such as gene modification, are available to solve the problems. Therefore, the statement by Keith Reemtsma in the foreward to the latest issue of the monography Xenotransplantation "The important question is not whether xenotransplantation will succeed, but rather how and under what circumstances xenografts will provide predictable enough results to warrent clinical application" will hopefully be a reality in the future.