1
|
Gyngell C, Munsie M, Fujita M, Thiessen C, Savulescu J, Konstantinov IE. Ethical analysis of the first porcine cardiac xenotransplantation. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2024; 50:363-367. [PMID: 37348929 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2022-108685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we provide an ethical analysis of the first porcine cardiac xenotransplant, performed in Maryland, USA in early 2022. David Bennett was offered the experimental procedure after he was deemed ineligible for human heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support, based on a history of non-compliance. It was reported that Mr Bennett's previous instances of non-compliance were for medically non-life-threatening conditions years earlier, where the risks of non-compliance were not as high. We argue that, in Mr Bennett's case, a history of non-compliance in a different context, should not necessarily rule him ineligible for a potentially life-saving treatment now. Furthermore, using previous non-compliance to exclude individuals from donor organs may have the unintended effect of placing the burden of testing xenotransplantation on those who are already disadvantaged. We then argue that it is not enough to rely on patient consent to ethically justify xenotransplantation research. Taking a broad ethical perspective is crucial when mapping a clinical pathway for xenotransplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Gyngell
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne - Parkville Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Biomedical Ethics Research Group, MCRI, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Megan Munsie
- Stem Cell Ethics & Policy Group, MCRI, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne - Parkville Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Misao Fujita
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Kyoto University Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Carrie Thiessen
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Biomedical Ethics Research Group, MCRI, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Igor E Konstantinov
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne - Parkville Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Heart Group, MCRI, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu M, Zhang C, Chen J, Xu Q, Liu S, Chao X, Yang H, Wang T, Muhammad A, Schinckel AP, Zhou B. Characterization and analysis of transcriptomes of multiple tissues from estrus and diestrus in pigs. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 256:128324. [PMID: 38007026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128324] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms governing estrus and ovulation across multiple tissues in mammals is imperative to improve the reproductive performance of livestock and mitigate ovulation-related disorders in humans. To comprehensively elucidate the regulatory landscape, we analyzed the transcriptome of protein-coding genes and long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) in 58 samples (including the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, vagina, and vulva) derived from European Large White gilts and Chinese Mi gilts during estrus and diestrus. We constructed an intricate regulatory network encompassing 358 hub genes across the five examined tissues. Furthermore, our investigation identified 85 differentially expressed lincRNAs that are predicted to target 230 genes associated with critical functions including behavior, receptors, and apoptosis. Importantly, we found that vital components of estrus and ovulation events involve "Apoptosis" pathway in the hypothalamus, "Autophagy" in the ovary, as well as "Hypoxia" and "Angiogenesis" in the vagina and vulva. We have identified several differentially expressed transcription factors (TFs), such as SPI1 and HES2, which regulate these pathways. SPI1 may suppress transcription in the autophagy pathway, promoting apoptosis and inhibiting the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells. Our study provides the most comprehensive transcriptional profiling information related to estrus and ovulation events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingzheng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Chunlei Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Jiahao Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Qinglei Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Shuhan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Xiaohuan Chao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Huan Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Tianshuo Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Asim Muhammad
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Allan P Schinckel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, USA.
| | - Bo Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Strauss ER, Odonkor PN, Williams B, Choi S, Mueller J, Taylor B, Shah A, Goerlich CE, Mohiuddin MM, Griffith BP. Intraoperative Management of an Orthotopic Porcine-to-Human Cardiac Xenotransplant. Ann Thorac Surg 2023; 115:784-786. [PMID: 36621667 DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
We report the intraoperative management of an orthotopic cardiac xenotransplant in a 57-year-old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathy requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Transesophageal echocardiography was used for preharvest assessment. Continuous ex vivo perfusion of the heart was performed. Steps were taken to avoid potential xenozoonosis transmission to other patients and staff. Preclinical experience guided our intraoperative management in controlling hemodynamics and using prophylactic antiarrhythmic medications. Echocardiography aided in the diagnosis of aortic dissection in the patient after transplant. Intraoperative cardiac function was excellent. The patient was weaned from all mechanical support 4 days after transplant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik R Strauss
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Patrick N Odonkor
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brittney Williams
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Seung Choi
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jaclyn Mueller
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Bradley Taylor
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland
| | - Aakash Shah
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland
| | - Corbin E Goerlich
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland
| | - Muhammad M Mohiuddin
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland
| | - Bartley P Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang X, Cooper DKC, Dou K. Genetically-engineered pig-to-human organ transplantation: a new beginning. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2022; 67:1827-1829. [PMID: 36546291 PMCID: PMC10159615 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2022.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - David K C Cooper
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA
| | - Kefeng Dou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| |
Collapse
|