(Press-News.org) (Monday 30 June 2025, London, United Kingdom) A pioneering study has provided unprecedented insights into the immune response following pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation.1
The findings, presented today at the ESOT Congress 2025, mark a significant step forward in overcoming the biggest challenge in xenotransplantation: rejection by the human immune system.
Using cutting-edge spatial molecular imaging, researchers mapped how human immune cells interact with pig kidney tissue in transplanted organs, revealing critical early markers of rejection and potential intervention strategies. The study, led by Dr. Valentin Goutaudier and a collaborative international research team (Paris Institute for Transplantation and Organ Regeneration & NYU Langone Transplant Institute), highlights key molecular mechanisms that could shape the future of xenotransplantation.
One of the most striking discoveries was that human immune cells were found in every part of the pig kidney's filtering system after the transplant. Researchers observed early molecular signs of antibody-mediated rejection as soon as Day 10 and peaking at Day 33, reinforcing previous findings that rejection begins rapidly but progresses over time.2 By tracking these immune responses for up to 61 days, the team identified a crucial window for targeted therapeutic intervention.
“Our study provides the most detailed molecular map to date of how the human immune system engages with a transplanted pig kidney,” explained Dr. Goutaudier. “By pinpointing specific immune cell behaviours and gene expressions, we can refine anti-rejection treatments and improve transplant viability.”
The study’s innovative approach used a bioinformatic pipeline to distinguish human immune cells from pig structural cells, allowing for precise mapping of immune infiltration patterns. Notably, macrophages and myeloid cells were the most prevalent immune cell types across all time points, further confirming their role as key mediators in xenograft rejection.
When targeted therapeutic interventions were introduced, immune-mediated signs of rejection were successfully weakened. Combined with novel spatial insights into how immune cells interact with pig kidney tissue, this marks a major breakthrough — paving the way for more refined anti-rejection strategies. These advances come at a pivotal time as the first US-based clinical trials of pig kidney transplantation into living human recipients begin in 2025.
With xenotransplantation poised to address the global organ shortage crisis, these findings bring researchers one step closer to making genetically modified pig kidneys a viable long-term solution. The next phase will focus on optimising anti-rejection treatments, refining genetic modifications in donor pigs, and developing early detection protocols to monitor and manage rejection responses.
“Understanding the specific immune interactions at a molecular level allows us to develop targeted interventions that can prevent rejection before it escalates,” explained Dr. Goutaudier. “This research lays the groundwork for safer and more effective pig-to-human transplants in the near future.”
As scientific progress accelerates, researchers remain cautiously optimistic that genetically modified pig kidneys could become a routine transplant option within the next decade. However, regulatory approvals will require consistent demonstration of safety and efficacy in diverse patient populations.
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Note to editors:
A reference to the ESOT Congress 2025 must be included in all coverage and/or articles associated with this study.
For more information or to arrange an expert interview, please contact Luke Paskins on press@esot.org.
About the study author:
Dr. Valentin Goutaudier is a researcher in transplant immunology and xenotransplantation, affiliated with the Paris Institute for Transplantation and Organ Regeneration (PITOR) and Inserm U970. His work focuses on understanding immune responses in allo- and xenotransplantation, utilising advanced molecular imaging and bioinformatics to develop targeted anti-rejection therapies. The PITOR work on kidney xenotransplantation is performed in collaboration with the NYU Langone Transplant Institute led by Prof. Robert A. Montgomery.
About ESOT:
The European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) was founded 40 years ago and is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in organ transplantation. Facilitating a wealth of international clinical trials and research collaborations over the years, ESOT remains committed to its primary aim of improving patient outcomes in transplantation. With a community of over 8000 members from around the world, ESOT is an influential international organisation and the facilitator of the biennial congress which hosts approximately 3500 experts who come to meet to explore and discuss the latest scientific research.
References:
Goutaudier V., Williams, C., Morgand, E., et al. Application of a Novel Spatial Transcriptomic 6000-Plex Panel in Pig-to-Human Xenotransplantation. Presented at ESOT Congress 2025; 30th June 2025; London, United Kingdom.
Loupy, A., Goutaudier, V., Giarraputo, A. et al. (2023). Immune response after pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation: A multimodal phenotyping study. The Lancet, 402(10408), 1158–1169. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01855-3
Montgomery RA, Stern JM, Lonze BE, Tatapudi VS, Mangiola M, Wu M, Weldon E, Lawson N, Deterville C, Dieter RA, Sullivan B, Boulton G, Parent B, Piper G, Sommer P, Cawthon S, Duggan E, Ayares D, Dandro A, Fazio-Kroll A, Kokkinaki M, Burdorf L, Lorber M, Boeke JD, Pass H, Keating B, Griesemer A, Ali NM, Mehta SA, Stewart ZA. Results of Two Cases of Pig-to-Human Kidney Xenotransplantation. N Engl J Med. 2022 May 19;386(20):1889-1898. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2120238. PMID: 35584156. END
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