New Delhi– In a major step forward for xenotransplantation—the transplantation of animal organs into humans—a pioneering international study has revealed how human immune cells respond to transplanted pig kidneys, identifying key early markers of rejection and new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Led by Dr. Valentin Goutaudier from the Paris Institute for Transplantation and Organ Regeneration and the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, the research utilized advanced spatial molecular imaging to map, with unprecedented precision, the immune system’s response to genetically modified pig kidneys in human recipients.
The study, presented at the 2025 European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Congress in London, highlighted that human immune cells infiltrated every region of the pig kidney’s filtration system after transplantation. Early signs of antibody-mediated rejection were detected as soon as Day 10, peaking by Day 33—confirming that rejection begins swiftly but escalates over time.
“This is the most detailed molecular map we’ve ever had of how the human immune system engages with a pig kidney graft,” said Dr. Goutaudier. “By identifying the precise immune cells and gene expressions involved, we’re now able to design more effective anti-rejection treatments and improve the longevity of these transplants.”
Using a specially developed bioinformatics pipeline, the researchers were able to distinguish between human immune cells and pig structural cells within the transplanted tissue. This allowed for highly accurate tracking of immune infiltration and behavior over a 61-day period.
Macrophages and myeloid cells emerged as the dominant immune cell types throughout the observation window, reaffirming their role as central drivers of xenograft rejection. Importantly, when targeted immunosuppressive therapies were applied, signs of rejection were significantly reduced—offering a promising path for clinical applications.
This combination of spatial data and immune profiling marks a significant advancement in the quest to make genetically modified pig organs a viable, long-term solution to the global organ shortage crisis.
The next phase of the research will focus on optimizing anti-rejection drug regimens, refining the genetic engineering of donor pigs, and developing early detection systems for identifying and managing rejection in real-time. (Source: IANS)
