The pig as a model in liver xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation is considered to be the best solution to the critical shortage of human donors. Despite its phylogenetic distance, the pig appears to be the most appropriate source of organs for transplantation in humans. Its anatomy and physiology are similar to that of man, it can be raised in specific pathogen free environments and it is available in large quantities. The immunological barrier remains to be overcome, however. Considerable progress in the pathogeny of xenogenic rejection has led to the development of therapeutic strategies and the prospect of clinical xenografting appears realisable in the near future.