Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 30: In a major leap toward solving the global organ shortage, an international team of scientists has unveiled new insights into how the human immune system reacts to transplanted pig kidneys. The groundbreaking study sheds light on early rejection markers and opens new avenues for tailored therapeutic strategies in xenotransplantation.
Led by Dr. Valentin Goutaudier of the Paris Institute for Transplantation and Organ Regeneration and the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, the research utilized advanced spatial molecular imaging to closely examine human immune cell activity within pig kidney tissue following transplantation.
The study revealed that human immune cells infiltrated all compartments of the pig kidney's filtering system shortly after the transplant. Notably, signs of antibody-mediated rejection appeared as early as Day 10, intensifying by Day 33 — offering crucial evidence of how quickly rejection can begin and escalate.
By monitoring immune activity for 61 days, the researchers identified a key therapeutic window in which targeted intervention can significantly mitigate rejection.
“Our research offers the most comprehensive molecular map yet of how human immune cells interact with a xenograft,” said Dr. Goutaudier during his presentation at the ESOT Congress 2025 in London. “These findings are pivotal for developing more precise anti-rejection therapies that could improve long-term outcomes for xenotransplants.”
A custom-designed bioinformatic pipeline allowed the team to differentiate human immune cells from pig tissue, enabling highly accurate mapping of immune responses. Among the infiltrating cells, macrophages and myeloid cells emerged as dominant actors in the rejection process.
Encouragingly, the introduction of targeted therapies reduced the presence of immune-mediated rejection markers, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of early intervention.
This study marks a significant step toward making genetically modified pig organs a sustainable and practical alternative for human transplantation. Researchers now plan to focus on refining genetic engineering in donor pigs, enhancing anti-rejection drug protocols, and developing early detection tools to monitor immune activity post-transplant.
With these advancements, xenotransplantation moves closer to becoming a viable solution to the persistent shortage of human donor organs.