The growth of xenotransplanted hearts can be reduced with growth hormone receptor knockout pig donors.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Genetically engineered pigs are thought to be an alternative organ source for patients in end-stage heart failure unable to receive a timely allograft. However, cardiac xenografts exhibit growth and diastolic heart failure within 1 month after transplantation. Grafts function for up to 6 months, but only after administration of temsirolimus and afterload-reducing agents to reduce this growth. In this study we investigated the growth and hemodynamics of growth hormone receptor (GHR) knockout xenografts, without the use of adjuncts to prevent intrinsic graft growth after transplantation.

Methods

Genetically engineered pig hearts were transplanted orthotopically into weight-matched baboons between 15 and 30 kg, using continuous perfusion preservation before implantati

SUBMITTER: Goerlich CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8894505 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature