Chimeric xenotransplantation

Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2019 Oct;24(5):543-546. doi: 10.1097/MOT.0000000000000683.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Organ transplantation is an effective treatment for selected patients with end-stage organ disease or specific cancer types. Its main limitations are the chronic lack of grafts and the lifetime need for immunosuppression. The advent of autologous organs generated into xenogeneic species has the potential to solve these issues.

Recent findings: The current review discusses about the recent discoveries in the filed of organ generation by interspecific pre and postimplantation embryo complementation. Moreover, it describes the recent progress in postnatal xenogeneic liver repopulation and the transplantation of chimeric tissues and organs.

Summary: Thanks to the groundbreaking discoveries of the last few years, these strategies are becoming more and more real, yet with still a number of key steps to overcome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Organ Transplantation / methods*
  • Transplantation Chimera / immunology*
  • Transplantation Tolerance / immunology
  • Transplantation, Heterologous / methods*