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Thuan PQ, Dinh NH. Cardiac Xenotransplantation: A Narrative Review. Rev Cardiovasc Med 2024; 25:271. [PMID: 39139422 PMCID: PMC11317332 DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2507271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiac xenotransplantation (cXT) has emerged as a solution to heart donor scarcity, prompting an exploration of its scientific, ethical, and regulatory facets. The review begins with genetic modifications enhancing pig hearts for human transplantation, navigating through immunological challenges, rejection mechanisms, and immune responses. Key areas include preclinical milestones, complement cascade roles, and genetic engineering to address hyperacute rejection. Physiological counterbalance systems, like human thrombomodulin and endothelial protein C receptor upregulation in porcine xenografts, highlight efforts for graft survival enhancement. Evaluating pig and baboon donors and challenges with non-human primates illuminates complexities in donor species selection. Ethical considerations, encompassing animal rights, welfare, and zoonotic disease risks, are critically examined in the cXT context. The review delves into immune control mechanisms with aggressive immunosuppression and clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology, elucidating hyperacute rejection, complement activation, and antibody-mediated rejection intricacies. CRISPR/Cas9's role in creating pig endothelial cells expressing human inhibitor molecules is explored for rejection mitigation. Ethical and regulatory aspects emphasize the role of committees and international guidelines. A forward-looking perspective envisions precision medical genetics, artificial intelligence, and individualized heart cultivation within pigs as transformative elements in cXT's future is also explored. This comprehensive analysis offers insights for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, addressing the current state, and future prospects of cXT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phan Quang Thuan
- Department of Adult Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center HCMC, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, 72714 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Hoang Dinh
- Department of Adult Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center HCMC, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, 72714 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, 72714 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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2
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Fedson S, Lavee J, Bryce K, Egan T, Olland A, Kanwar M, Courtwright A, Holm AM. Ethical considerations in xenotransplantation of thoracic organs - a call for a debate on value based decisions. J Heart Lung Transplant 2024; 43:1033-1038. [PMID: 38775760 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2024.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Xenotransplant covers a broad ethical territory and there are several ethical questions that have arisen in parallel with the technological advances that have allowed the first porcine transplants to occur. This brief communication highlights ethical considerations regarding heart and lung xenotransplantation, with an emphasis on unresolved value-based concerns in the field. The aim of this text is therefore to encourage the readers to consider the vast potential of this emerging technique to do good, but also the risk of doing harm, and to participate in a discussion. The list of questions presented here is not exhaustive but hopefully represents some of the questions that appear to be most pressing as the field advances. The focus is on the value-based, or ethical questions, not the questions related to the practical medical procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savitri Fedson
- Baylor College of Medicine; Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Jacob Lavee
- Heart Transplantation Unit, Leviev Cardiothoracic Center, Sheba Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Kelly Bryce
- Behavioral Health, Henry Ford Health System; Transplant Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Tom Egan
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Anne Olland
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Strasbourg; Inserm UMR 1260 "Regenerative Nanomedicine", University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Manreet Kanwar
- Cardiovascular Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrew Courtwright
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Are Martin Holm
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
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3
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Yuan Y, Cui Y, Zhao D, Yuan Y, Zhao Y, Li D, Jiang X, Zhao G. Complement networks in gene-edited pig xenotransplantation: enhancing transplant success and addressing organ shortage. J Transl Med 2024; 22:324. [PMID: 38566098 PMCID: PMC10986007 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The shortage of organs for transplantation emphasizes the urgent need for alternative solutions. Xenotransplantation has emerged as a promising option due to the greater availability of donor organs. However, significant hurdles such as hyperacute rejection and organ ischemia-reperfusion injury pose major challenges, largely orchestrated by the complement system, and activated immune responses. The complement system, a pivotal component of innate immunity, acts as a natural barrier for xenotransplantation. To address the challenges of immune rejection, gene-edited pigs have become a focal point, aiming to shield donor organs from human immune responses and enhance the overall success of xenotransplantation. This comprehensive review aims to illuminate strategies for regulating complement networks to optimize the efficacy of gene-edited pig xenotransplantation. We begin by exploring the impact of the complement system on the effectiveness of xenotransplantation. Subsequently, we delve into the evaluation of key complement regulators specific to gene-edited pigs. To further understand the status of xenotransplantation, we discuss preclinical studies that utilize gene-edited pigs as a viable source of organs. These investigations provide valuable insights into the feasibility and potential success of xenotransplantation, offering a bridge between scientific advancements and clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglin Yuan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cui
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Dayue Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanshuang Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, The People's Hospital of Leshan, Leshan, China
| | - Danni Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Longquanyi District of Chengdu Maternity & Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaomei Jiang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Gaoping Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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4
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Jou S, Mendez SR, Feinman J, Mitrani LR, Fuster V, Mangiola M, Moazami N, Gidea C. Heart transplantation: advances in expanding the donor pool and xenotransplantation. Nat Rev Cardiol 2024; 21:25-36. [PMID: 37452122 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-023-00902-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 65 million adults globally have heart failure, and the prevalence is expected to increase substantially with ageing populations. Despite advances in pharmacological and device therapy of heart failure, long-term morbidity and mortality remain high. Many patients progress to advanced heart failure and develop persistently severe symptoms. Heart transplantation remains the gold-standard therapy to improve the quality of life, functional status and survival of these patients. However, there is a large imbalance between the supply of organs and the demand for heart transplants. Therefore, expanding the donor pool is essential to reduce mortality while on the waiting list and improve clinical outcomes in this patient population. A shift has occurred to consider the use of organs from donors with hepatitis C virus, HIV or SARS-CoV-2 infection. Other advances in this field have also expanded the donor pool, including opt-out donation policies, organ donation after circulatory death and xenotransplantation. We provide a comprehensive overview of these various novel strategies, provide objective data on their safety and efficacy, and discuss some of the unresolved issues and controversies of each approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Jou
- The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Sean R Mendez
- The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason Feinman
- The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lindsey R Mitrani
- The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentin Fuster
- The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Massimo Mangiola
- Transplant Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nader Moazami
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claudia Gidea
- The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
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5
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Stephan A. The Future of Organ Procurement. EXP CLIN TRANSPLANT 2024; 22:14-16. [PMID: 38385368 DOI: 10.6002/ect.mesot2023.l7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The dream of any organ procurement organization is to achieve self-sufficiency, where the number of organs needed is met by an equal number of organs available. In 2023, we can hope to reach selfsufficiency by providing kidneys to most patients in terminal renal failure. This can be achieved by decreasing the demand since SGL2 inhibitors have shown promising results in delaying renal failure. On the other hand, progress in the development of the bioartificial kidney and advances in xenotransplantation will significantly increase the number of organs offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Stephan
- From the National Organization for Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (NOD-Lb), Baabda, Lebanon
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Srivastava PK, Kittleson MM. Modern advances in heart transplantation. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2024; 82:147-156. [PMID: 38244826 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2024.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Heart transplantation (HTx) is the only definitive therapy for patients with end stage heart disease. With the increasing global prevalence of heart failure, the demand for HTx has continued to grow and outpace supply. In this paper, we will review advances in the field of HTx along the clinical journey of a HTx recipient. Starting with the sensitized patient, we discuss current methods to define sensitization, and assays to help identify clinically relevant anti-HLA antibodies. Desensitization strategies targeting all levels of the adaptive immune system are discussed with emphasis on novel techniques such as anti-CD 38 blockade and use of the Immunoglobulin G-Degrading Enzyme of Streptococcus Pyogenes. We next discuss donor procurement and the resurgence of donation after circulatory death as a viable strategy to significantly and safely increase the donor pool. Post-transplant, we evaluate non-invasive surveillance techniques including gene expression profiling and donor-derived cell-free DNA. Last, we discuss the ground-breaking developments in the field of xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratyaksh K Srivastava
- Department of Cardiology, Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Michelle M Kittleson
- Department of Cardiology, Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
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Koh J, Chee HK, Kim KH, Jeong IS, Kim JS, Lee CH, Seo JW. Historical Review and Future of Cardiac Xenotransplantation. Korean Circ J 2023; 53:351-366. [PMID: 37271743 DOI: 10.4070/kcj.2022.0351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Along with the development of immunosuppressive drugs, major advances on xenotransplantation were achieved by understanding the immunobiology of xenograft rejection. Most importantly, three predominant carbohydrate antigens on porcine endothelial cells were key elements provoking hyperacute rejection: α1,3-galactose, SDa blood group antigen, and N-glycolylneuraminic acid. Preformed antibodies binding to the porcine major xenoantigen causes complement activation and endothelial cell activation, leading to xenograft injury and intravascular thrombosis. Recent advances in genetic engineering enabled knock-outs of these major xenoantigens, thus producing xenografts with less hyperacute rejection rates. Another milestone in the history of xenotransplantation was the development of co-stimulation blockaded strategy. Unlike allotransplantation, xenotransplantation requires blockade of CD40-CD40L pathway to prevent T-cell dependent B-cell activation and antibody production. In 2010s, advanced genetic engineering of xenograft by inducing the expression of multiple human transgenes became available. So-called 'multi-gene' xenografts expressing human transgenes such as thrombomodulin and endothelial protein C receptor were introduced, which resulted in the reduction of thrombotic events and improvement of xenograft survival. Still, there are many limitations to clinical translation of cardiac xenotransplantation. Along with technical challenges, zoonotic infection and physiological discordances are major obstacles. Social barriers including healthcare costs also need to be addressed. Although there are several remaining obstacles to overcome, xenotransplantation would surely become the novel option for millions of patients with end-stage heart failure who have limited options to traditional therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Koh
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Keun Chee
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung-Hee Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Incheon Sejong Hospital, Incheon, Korea
| | - In-Seok Jeong
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital and Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jung-Sun Kim
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang-Ha Lee
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Bucheon Sejong Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Jeong-Wook Seo
- Department of Pathology, Incheon Sejong Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
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Rivera NT, Baran DA. Expanding heart transplantation in 2022 and beyond. Curr Opin Cardiol 2023; 38:130-135. [PMID: 36598449 DOI: 10.1097/hco.0000000000001023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite advances in the technology of mechanical circulatory support, the need for heart transplantation continues to grow. The longevity of heart transplants continues to be superior to mechanical solutions, though the short-term differences are shrinking. In this review, we cover three timely developments and summarize the recent literature. RECENT FINDINGS After stagnant rates of heart transplant activity for some years, recently, transplant volume has increased. The developments that have ignited interest have been the use of hepatitis C infected donors, which can now be safely transplanted with the advent of curative oral regimens, and the worldwide use of donors following withdrawal of life support as opposed to traditional brain death donors. In addition, the recent experience of human cardiac xenotransplantation has been very exciting, and though it is not of clinical utility yet, it holds the promise for a virtually unlimited supply of organs at some time in the future. SUMMARY Much work remains to be done, but together, all three of these developments are exciting and important to be aware of in the future. Each will contribute to additional donors for human heart transplantation and hopefully will alleviate suffering and death on the waiting list.
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First-of-its-kind Xenotransplantation: Bedarf an ethischer Reflexion in Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft. Ethik Med 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00481-023-00750-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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10
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Braunwald E. Cardiac xenotransplantation: a new path for the treatment of advanced heart failure? Eur Heart J 2022; 43:3014-3015. [PMID: 35661876 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Braunwald
- TIMI Study Group, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Suite 7022, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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