BRIDGING THE GAP IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION USING PIGS AS DONORS

Abstract

Chronic kidney failure results in patients suffering significant morbidity and mortality ultimately requiring life-supporting dialysis. Kidney transplantation and lifelong immunosuppression are the only treatment, but (i) is limited by the shortage of human donors and (ii) carries risks associated with these anti-rejection drugs. This project aims to solve both problems by using humanized pigs as donors combined with a novel approach to inducing acceptance of the transplanted kidneys.