Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

What are the problems that make Xenotransplantation so difficult?

Hi Brina123 - Have you spent time doing research on xenotransplantation? This question is one that will require you to do some research and background reading. After you have done that, if you have specific questions about what you've read, our Experts may be able to help!

Amy
Science Buddies

Hi,
I did a quick skim and I would say the biggest issue is that the implants/transplants/etc. are foreign, very foreign. When getting an organ transplants, sometimes relatives of the patient cannot use their own because their organs do not match in blood/tissue/etc. type. Using nonhuman or tissue/cells/etc. which have been in contact with non humans would have serious differences with those of the patient's body type. The body probably tries to reject most of the foreign xenotransplantsats. This is just a postulation.

Robert

Hi Brina123,

As Amy mentioned, I strongly suggest you to do some research on the general mechanisms of xenotransplantation.

Just in case you need some assistance on that first step, I found a scientific journal that discuss on the problems associated with xenotransplantation.
As Robert also mentioned on the cellular rejection of foreign transplantants, there are immunological barriers that lead to problems of acute hormonal xenograft rejection. which is the major current barrier.

According to http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 7402000102 ( Title: Xenotransplantation-how far have we come?), "deposition of natural anti-Gal antibody on the graft endothelial cells appears to be sufficient to lead to rejection or a state of consumptive coagulopathy" (Coagulopathy: clotting disorder and bleeding disorder).

In addition, in xenotransplanttion, rejection problems, both acute and delayed, the removal of the species barrier is insufficient to prevent organ rejection. It is known that there are two further methodologies used to trick the human body into forcefully accept the foreign material (Immunosuppression & inserting human DNA into pigs).

In the end, the ultimate risk seems to be the transmission of animal pathogenous viruses from animal to man. It seems to be that many infectious diseases do have their origin into other species, e.g. HIV-1 and HIV-2. Also, besides the danger for biological safety there are concerns on the ethical assessment of the method and the economic interest. Also, researchers need to take into account the assurance of juridical safety at the application of xenotransplantation.

If you have any further questions, please ask!

-Grace