In a medical breakthrough, scientists in China have transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a human for the first time. The recipient, a 39-year-old man who was brain dead, survived with the organ for nine days, according to findings published in Nature Medicine.
The achievement marks a major step forward in xenotransplantation — the use of animal organs in humans — and suggests that almost any pig organ could potentially be adapted for human use. Researchers hope this innovation could one day help the thousands of patients worldwide who die each year while waiting for donor organs.
A challenging organ
Unlike kidneys or hearts, lungs are considered the most difficult organs to transplant because they contain the highest density of blood vessels. This makes them especially vulnerable to immune attack, clotting, and tissue damage. “I applaud their effort,” said Muhammad Mohiuddin, a surgeon at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who led the world’s first pig-heart transplant in 2022. “It’s a first step towards lung xenotransplantation.”
The lung used in the study came from a pig with six key genetic modifications, created by Chengdu Clonorgan Biotechnology in China. Three pig genes were removed to reduce immune rejection, and three human genes were added to protect the organ. The surgery was carried out on 15 May 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University.
Mixed results and future directions
The team reported that the lung showed no immediate rejection, infection, or graft failure in the first three days. However, swelling and tissue damage became evident within 24 hours, likely caused by oxygen deprivation during the transplant procedure. Additional antibody-related damage was observed on days three and six but appeared to diminish by day nine, when the trial ended at the request of the patient’s family.
Experts say the findings are encouraging but highlight the need for further refinements. Improvements in organ preservation and additional genetic modifications — such as adding protective genes against clotting and immune attack — could increase success rates.
“Lung xenotransplants could be life-saving for people with end-stage lung disease who have no other treatment options,” said Wayne Hawthorne, a transplant surgeon at the University of Sydney. “These are the patients who will die on the organ-transplant wait list.”
With U.S. clinical trials already approved for pig kidneys and livers, researchers believe lung xenotransplantation may not be far behind. As Nature reports, the experiment represents both proof of concept and a potential lifeline for patients most in need.
