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Xenogeneic organ transplantation
1Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc, 25 Science Park, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Recent breakthroughs enhance understanding of human immune responses to animal transplants. New immunoprotective technologies now make clinical xenotransplantation a potential reality.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Transplantation Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The human immune system actively rejects foreign tissues and organs.
- Xenotransplantation, using animal organs for humans, faces significant immunological barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding immune responses to xenografts.
- To highlight novel immunoprotective technologies for xenotransplantation.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on humoral and cellular immune recognition of animal cells, tissues, and organs.
- Analysis of newly developed immunoprotective strategies.
Main Results:
- Significant progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms of immune recognition and destruction of xenografts.
- Novel technologies aimed at overcoming immune rejection have emerged.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced understanding of immune responses is paving the way for clinical xenotransplantation.
- Emerging immunoprotective technologies hold promise for making xenotransplantation feasible.