Xenografts--future prospects for clinical transplantation

This paper outlines the basic problems that still need to be overcome before xenografting becomes a reality. It presents evidence that if the first of these problems (preformed or natural antibody to pig) can be overcome then pig kidneys will: (a) not hyperacutely reject from a human; and (b) will not, under currently used immunosuppression, induce massive new primary or secondary responses. It also makes brief justification of the use of the pig as the donor of choice and outlines what essential animal work we feel necessary before an actual pig-to-human transplant is contemplated.