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In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers have successfully cultivated human kidneys within pig embryos.
Human Kidneys in Pigs: A Potential Solution to Reduce Transplant Waiting Times?
Given that kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organs in humans, the waiting lists for such procedures are often exceedingly long, resulting in the unfortunate passing of many individuals before they can receive a transplant. To address this issue, scientists have developed embryos containing both human and pig cells, creating what are referred to as “chimeras.”
The study’s lead, Liangxue Lai, stated, “While organs from rats have been produced in mice, and vice versa, previous attempts to generate human organs in pigs had not been successful. Our novel approach has led to improved integration of human cells into the recipient’s tissues and successful growth of human organs within pigs.”
However, this milestone raises significant ethical concerns. The chimeric embryos obtained were nurtured in optimized nutrients to meet the needs of both species, and 1,820 of them were subsequently transferred into sows. After 28 days, the animal pregnancies were terminated, and the embryos were harvested for analysis. Among the five successfully extracted embryos, all exhibited kidneys with a normal developmental stage, including early cellular sets that would form the connection between the kidney and bladder. Regarding the proportion of human cells versus pig cells, researchers found that 50 to 60% of renal cells were human. Human cells were also discovered in the spinal cords and brains of the pigs.
While these findings are promising, there is still a long way to go before the cultivation of human kidneys in animals becomes a tangible reality.
In France, in 2022, 5,494 kidney transplants were performed, compared to 5,276 in 2021, marking a 4% increase. The French Biomedicine Agency specifies that among transplants from living donors, 533 were recorded in 2022, compared to 522 in 2021, with 511 of these being kidney transplants from living donors. Whether due to diabetes or other illnesses, renal insufficiency remains the primary reason for kidney transplants. The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research emphasizes that transplantation improves patient survival and restores a normal life. Despite its initial complexity, this procedure ultimately costs society less than a lifetime of dialysis.
