Contributions of Europeans to Xenotransplantation Research: 1. Pig Organ Xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation has a rich history, marked by European pioneers who laid the groundwork for many breakthroughs in the field. Pig organ xenotransplantation offers a solution to the global shortage of deceased human donor organs, whilst allowing the modification of the donor graft itself. The field has continued to garner interest, particularly with the recent advent of simpler and faster genetic-engineering technologies. This review highlights the contributions of European researchers to xenotransplantation, spanning pig kidney, heart, liver, and lung transplantation. Research has focused on (i) identifying and deleting key xenoantigens and modifying the source pig by expression of human “protective” proteins and (ii) testing novel immunosuppressive regimens. These contributions have played key roles in advancing xenotransplantation from the laboratory to early clinical experiments. Europeans have also addressed the potential risks of xenozoonotic infections and the regulatory challenges. The research endeavours of groups in Europe are summarized. Several European researchers moved either permanently or temporarily to US institutions, and their insight and innovations are also highlighted. While we aim to recognize the significant contributions of European physicians and scientists in this article, it is not an exhaustive list of all those who have influenced the field.