Researchers performed comprehensive multi‑omic and physiological profiling on a genetically engineered pig kidney transplanted into a brain‑dead human recipient and identified antibody‑ and T‑cell‑driven rejection pathways that were subsequently reversed using approved immunomodulatory drugs. The longitudinal dataset—collected over 61 days—offers unprecedented insight into human xenograft immune dynamics. The investigation, reported in Nature, tracked gene expression from both pig and human cells, catalogued immune cell infiltration, and pinpointed molecular signatures tied to rejection. Study leads, including Robert Montgomery and collaborators, demonstrated that a combined regimen addressing humoral and cellular arms could restore graft tolerance without permanent organ damage in the decedent model. Findings de‑risk key elements of clinical translation for porcine xenotransplantation by informing immunosuppression strategies, biomarker selection and monitoring protocols for future living‑recipient trials. The work suggests a near‑term pathway to expand the organ supply if immunologic barriers remain controllable.
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