Chinese Scientists Grow Fully Humanized Kidneys in Pig Embryos

Beijing: Chinese scientists have successfully grown fully humanized kidneys in pig embryos, a major breakthrough that could one day help address organ transplantation shortages.

The research team, led by Liangxue Lai from the Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Wuyi University, used CRISPR gene editing technology to genetically engineer single-cell pig embryos to eliminate two genes crucial for kidney development. They then injected human pluripotent stem cells into the embryos, which were then implanted into surrogate sows.

After 25 or 28 days of gestation, the embryos were assessed. Five of the embryos were found to have developed structurally normal kidneys composed of 50-60% human cells. These kidneys had reached the mesonephros stage, forming tubules and cell buds that would eventually connect to the bladder.

The researchers say that this is the first time that fully humanized kidneys have been grown in another species. The achievement is a significant step towards developing a new source of organs for transplantation, which could help to save the lives of millions of people around the world.

The research team is now working to extend the development of these kidneys and to generate other human organs in pigs, such as the heart and pancreas. They also plan to study the long-term safety of these organs in animal models.

The findings of this study have been published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.