Researchers Successfully Implement First Human Transplant of a Pig Lung, Functioning Effortlessly for Nine Days
In a groundbreaking yet challenging experiment, a 39-year-old man in Guangzhou, China, received the first human transplant of a genetically modified pig lung in May 2024. The surgical team, led by thoracic surgeon Jianxing He, performed the transplant at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University.
The pig lung was genetically modified to remove three pig genes and insert three human genes, aiming to bypass some of the immune hurdles inherent in xenotransplantation. However, the transplant did not proceed without complications.
From day one, signs of lung damage and immune rejection reactions were observed. The condition worsened over the following days, with damage to the pig lung becoming particularly severe on day six. By day three, antibodies were binding to the pig lung, attacking its delicate alveoli.
Despite partial improvement by day nine, the man's family requested to end the experiment. CT scans revealed severe edema in the pig lung 24 hours after the transplant. The man's lung functioned for nine days before showing signs of immune rejection and swelling.
Dr. Adam Griesemer, a leading expert in the field, stated that nobody would sign up for a nine-day lung transplant. In human-to-human transplants, lungs often fail within five to seven years. Lungs are the toughest challenge in xenotransplantation due to their constant exposure to the external environment.
The Chinese team acknowledged that continued efforts are needed to optimize immunosuppressive regimens, refine genetic modifications, enhance lung preservation strategies, and assess long-term graft function beyond the acute phase.
The achievement adds to a growing list of pig-to-human organ transplants, including pig livers, kidneys, and hearts. The global demand for organ transplants is immense, with only about 10 percent of patients who need one ever receiving one. In the United States, more than 100,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant.
Researchers are exploring other avenues like repairing damaged human lungs with stem cells and growing humanized lungs inside pigs and sheep to bypass some of the immune hurdles inherent in xenotransplantation. The experiment in Guangzhou serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in this field and the need for continued research and innovation.
