3. HISTORY
First reported case of xenotransplantation occured in
1628 when sheep blood was transfused into patients.
Alexis Carrel first coined the term
“xenotransplantation” in the 20th century.
He first brought the idea of using pigs instead of
baboons to light.
He won the nobel prize for his research.
4. ORGAN DONORS NEEDED
105, 747 people in U.S. alone in need of organ
transplants.
10 of these people die every day.
5. SWINE
Most relative to size of human organs.
No chance of contracting HIV like viruses.
Small parts of pig hearts, like valves, being used
already.
Almost able to overcome the body thinking the pig
organs are foreign.
6. THINGS TO OVERCOME
Body’s antigens recognize porcine antigens on swine
organ surface.
These antigens will provoke a strong immune
response which will lead to the body rejecting the
organ.
Must overcome sugar like protein on surface of pig
organ called Gal-alpha(1,3)-Gal.
7. DIABETES AND PIGS
Researchers now looking into using islet insulin cells
from pigs by placing them into diabetics pancreas.
Would use this type of treatment in type 1 diabetics.
Would only apply to those whose disease has
progressed severly.
High risk involved since patient would have to take
immune supressants for the rest of their lives.
8. RISKS INVOLVED
Immune system must be suppressed.
Chances of new organ or cells no longer being
recognized as foreign is low.
If the new organ or cells do take to the new host
they do not last long, for unknown reasons.
10. PRIMATES
Been most commonly used throughout history for
xenotransplantation attempts.
FDA banned use in of non-human primates in 1999.
Becoming less common due to costs of raising, length
of aging period and chance of transmitting HIV virus.
11. BOVINE
Being used for experimental procedures.
Are created transgenic.
Fetal cells are being tested for use instead of human
stem cells.
12. ANSWER FOR SOME YUMMY
COOKIES
What do researchers need to overcome before pig
hearts can be successfully transplanted into humans?
What does transgenic mean?
What is Xenotransplantation?
Why are pigs a better candidate for organs then non-
human primates?
