In a recent development in the field of lung transplants, researchers have made significant progress in the area of genetically modified pig lungs as a potential alternative to human donor lungs. Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine successfully transplanted pig lungs into baboons, marking a major milestone in the pursuit of lung transplantation from animals to humans.
The team utilized CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to eliminate harmful retroviruses present in pig genomes. By doing so, they were able to prevent potential infections that could arise from cross-species transplantation. The baboons, which received the pig lungs, demonstrated no signs of rejection and were able to breathe normally for up to two months post-transplant.
This breakthrough offers hope for the thousands of patients worldwide currently awaiting lung transplants. The use of pig lungs could potentially overcome the shortage of human donor organs and reduce the long waiting lists. Further research is needed to address additional barriers such as immunological concerns, but this study represents a significant leap towards the possibility of xenotransplantation becoming a viable solution for patients with end-stage lung disease.
