Xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of living cells, tissues, or organs between different species. It is studied especially as a potential way to address shortages of human donor organs.

Hyperacute rejection: A rapid immune response that damages a transplanted organ, often within minutes or hours. Preexisting antibodies can trigger this immediate attack on animal grafts.
Pig-to-human kidney transplantation: The transplantation of a genetically modified pig kidney into a human recipient. Kidneys are a leading target because organ shortages create demand for alternatives.
Allotransplantation: Transplantation between genetically distinct individuals of the same species. It is the standard human-to-human alternative, but depends on human donors.
Zoonosis: An infectious disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans. A graft could carry animal pathogens into a recipient or wider population.
Chronic rejection: Progressive immune-mediated damage that can impair a transplanted organ over months or years. Long-term graft survival remains uncertain even when immediate rejection is controlled.
Gal alpha-1,3-galactose: A carbohydrate found on many nonhuman mammalian cells and recognized by human antibodies. Removing or altering this sugar can reduce a major source of graft rejection.
Pig-to-human heart transplantation: The transplantation of a pig heart into a human recipient, typically using genetic modifications to reduce rejection. Early clinical cases test whether engineered hearts can support human circulation.
Autotransplantation: Transplantation of tissue from one site to another within the same individual. The recipient's own tissue avoids the species barrier and usually reduces rejection.
One Health: An approach that recognizes connections among human, animal, and environmental health. Xenotransplantation links recipient care with animal health and infectious-disease monitoring.
Xenotransplantation surveillance: Long-term monitoring for infections and other risks associated with cross-species transplantation. Surveillance may need to continue beyond the recipient to detect transmissible pathogens.

Linked from 14 pages