Genetic Modification in Pig-to-Human Transplantation

This editorial discusses the groundbreaking transplantation of a genetically modified pig heart into a human patient with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. The pig heart, modified to prevent immune rejection, functioned normally for 49 days before diastolic failure occurred. The genetic modifications included inactivation of pig genes (e.g., GGTA1 to eliminate alpha-gal) and introduction of human genes to inhibit complement, coagulation, and inflammation pathways. The process utilized somatic cell nuclear transfer to create pigs with these modifications. Despite challenges like zoonotic risks (e.g., porcine endogenous retroviruses), this achievement marks a significant milestone in xenotransplantation, supported by decades of research in genetics and immunology.

This editorial discusses the groundbreaking transplantation of a genetically modified pig heart into a human patient with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. The pig heart, modified to prevent immune rejection, functioned normally for 49 days before diastolic failure occurred. The genetic modifications included inactivation of pig genes (e.g., GGTA1 to eliminate alpha-gal) and introduction of human genes to inhibit complement, coagulation, and inflammation pathways. The process utilized somatic cell nuclear transfer to create pigs with these modifications. Despite challenges like zoonotic risks (e.g., porcine endogenous retroviruses), this achievement marks a significant milestone in xenotransplantation, supported by decades of research in genetics and immunology.