Physiologic and immunologic hurdles to xenotransplantation.
The major problem in the field of renal transplantation is currently the shortage of available kidneys. However, the use of animals as a source of kidneys, i.e., xenotransplantation, is increasingly being viewed as a potential solution to this problem. One preeminent hurdle to xenotransplantation is the immune response of the recipient against the graft; other hurdles include the physiologic limitations of the transplant, infection, and ethical considerations. This review summarizes what is currently known regarding the obstacles to xenotransplantation and some potential solutions to those problems.
Samstein
Benjamin
B
Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.|Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.|Department of Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Platt
Jeffrey L
JL
Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000635:transmission; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000379:methods*; D011323:Primates; D013552:Swine; D014181:Transplantation Immunology; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous