A team of researchers has performed the first modified human kidney transplant to be compatible with all blood groups. The organ, initially type A, was transformed into a group 0 and transplanted to a 68 -year -old man in cerebral death in Chongqing, China. This revolutionary procedure could open the way to a much greater availability of patients, say the specialists, because the donor’s blood group would no longer be a barrier.
The revolution in the kidney transplant could save thousands of lives annually National Chancecatute
In this article, readers will find out how to turn a kidney “universal”what role enzymes play in the elimination of antigens, the initial results of the transplant, the reactions of the experts in the field and the future prospects of this technology, which could completely revolutionize the medicine of transplants and access to organs compatible for all patients.
From group A to Group O: A revolution in organ transplants
Currently, organ transplants from deceased donors are performed only between people with compatible blood groups. The reason is that the receiver’s immune system can produce antibodies that attack the transplanted organ if type A or B antigens do not correspond. Type O organs, which do not contain A or B antigens, can be accepted by any recipient.
Researchers in Canada and China have used a special enzyme to remove type A antigens from a donor kidney, thus transforming the initial type A organ into a kidney “universal”type O, explains Stephen Withers, a chemist at British Columbia University in Vancouver.
The kidney that could be received by anyone. The results of the study and the reaction of the experts
The kidney worked for six days, producing urine and keeping healthy in the first two, before the body begins to show signs of rejection. The results of the study were published in Nature Biomedical Engineering.
The enzyme used was discovered in 2019 by the same team of researchers. In 2022, they showed that a type A lung can be transformed into type O, although that organ was not transplanted to a patient.
“The results are revolutionary”says Natasha Rogers, a clinician specialized in transplants at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia. She points out that this technique could contribute to reducing waiting lists for transplants, because doctors could focus on other antigens essential for the long-term success of the organ, without being limited by the blood group.
What follows for universal kidneys: the future of transplants
This is only the first stage in the development of universal kidneys. Researchers hope that the method will be perfected to prevent the rejection of organs and that, in the near future, the kidneys “Universali” will be able to be successfully transplanted to patients alive. This revolutionary technology promises to significantly reduce waiting lists for kidney transplants and to provide a solution for patients with rare or incompatible blood groups.
Experts estimate that adapting this method to other organs, such as lungs or heart, could open the way to a new era in transplant medicine, in which the blood group and antigenic compatibility will no longer be major obstacles. In addition, the combination of this technique with progress in immunology and bioengineering could increase the long -term survival of the transplanted organs and completely transform the way in which the global transplants are planned and performed.
