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Genetically Engineered Porcine Organs for Human Xenotransplantation
Maryam Shahab1, Nihal Ud Din1, Nimra Shahab2
1Internal Medicine, Queens Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, New York, USA.
Cureus
|October 17, 2022
Summary
Genetic engineering advances xenotransplantation, using CRISPR-Cas9 to create PERV-free pigs for organ transplants. This minimizes rejection and inflammation, improving graft survival for patients with organ failure.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Xenotransplantation, using animal organs for human recipients, offers solutions for end-stage organ failure.
- Porcine organs are ideal xenograft sources, but immune rejection, biologic incompatibilities, and zoonotic risks pose challenges.
- Xenoantigens and porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are significant barriers to clinical xenotransplantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of genetic engineering on overcoming xenotransplantation barriers.
- To highlight the role of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in producing safer and more compatible xenografts.
- To discuss future directions for advancing clinical xenotransplantation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene-editing technology in pigs.
- Generated porcine offspring free from porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs).
- Assessed the reduction of clinical complications, inflammation, and immune rejection post-transplantation.
Main Results:
- CRISPR-Cas9 technology successfully produced PERV-free pigs.
- Genetic modification minimized acute and chronic inflammation, and suppressed immune rejection reactions.
- These advancements show potential for prolonged graft survival in xenotransplantation.
Conclusions:
- Genetic engineering, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, is crucial for advancing xenotransplantation.
- PERV-free genetically modified pigs offer a promising solution to key clinical xenotransplantation challenges.
- Further research is needed to develop ideal genetically engineered swine donors for long-term graft survival and immune compatibility.
