China achieves world's first gene-edited pig lung transplant

A Chinese research team has successfully transplanted a gene-edited pig lung into a human body, marking a world's first that could help ease the severe shortage of donor organs worldwide.

The study of the case, led by Professor He Jianxing from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, was published on Monday in the Nature Medicine journal. 

The operation involved transplanting the left lung of a gene-edited Bama miniature pig into a brain-dead recipient, simulating a standard clinical single-lung transplant. 

The donor pig underwent six gene modifications to reduce the risk of immune rejection. Post-surgery monitoring showed the transplanted lung maintained ventilation and gas exchange for nine days without signs of hyperacute rejection or infection.

"As global demand for organ transplantation continues to grow, xenotransplantation offers a potential solution to donor shortages," He said. "This result marks a key step forward in lung xenotransplantation."

The research team plans to further optimize genetic editing and anti-rejection treatments to extend organ survival. In conventional lung transplants, patients typically rely on mechanical ventilation through intubation, which can strain the donor lung. To address this, the team is also exploring the use of its independently developed "tubeless" technology, designed to reduce ventilation-related damage and improve outcomes in future xenotransplant trials.

According to the team, the trial strictly followed national laws, regulations and ethical standards, with approval from multiple institutional review boards. The recipient, who had been declared brain-dead after a severe brain injury, was included in the study with full consent from the family. The trial was concluded on the ninth day at the family's request.

Xenotransplantation – the use of animal organs in humans – is considered one of the most challenging frontiers in global medical research. While previous efforts have focused on kidneys, hearts, and livers, lungs present unique difficulties due to their delicate structure, high blood flow, and constant exposure to the outside air.

In recent years, China has been at the forefront of xenotransplantation research. Last year, a Chinese team performed the world's first gene-edited pig liver transplant into a living person, further cementing the country's pioneering role in this emerging field.

Read more: World first! Chinese surgeons ace living-person pig liver transplant