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Nature Studies Map Immune Triggers of Pig Kidney Rejection and Show Reversal in Human Decedent

Researchers say the multiomic datasets will guide clinical trial design by highlighting predictable stages of xenograft rejection.

Transplant surgeons Jeffrey Stern, MD, and Adam Griesemer, MD, work to surgically removethe genetically engineered pig kidney on the final day ofa 61-dayxenotransplant study at NYU LangoneHealth.
Vasishta Tatapudi, MD, transplant nephrologist for the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, performs a biopsy of a genetically engineered pig kidney on Day 61 of the latest xenotransplant study at NYU Langone Health.
The genetically engineered pig kidney, shown moments after it was removed following 61 days of observation.
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Overview

  • An NYU Langone team transplanted a gene‑edited pig kidney into a brain‑dead recipient and sampled tissue, blood, and body fluids over 61 days for intensive multiomic analysis.
  • Investigators found rejection was driven by specific antibodies and T cells, then reversed the episode using an FDA‑approved drug combination without lasting loss of kidney function.
  • Day‑by‑day profiling identified three immune response waves at postoperative days 21 (innate), 33 (macrophage‑driven), and 45 (T cell‑driven).
  • Blood biomarkers signaled emerging attacks up to five days before changes were visible in tissue, offering an earlier window for intervention.
  • A companion report measured about 5,100 expressed human and pig genes, cataloged every immune cell type in the graft, and will be mined to pinpoint molecular targets and inform future living‑patient trials.