每经记者｜林姿辰 每经编辑｜张海妮 陈忠华： "异种移植研究的唯一动力是器官短缺。" "在器官捐献初级阶段，我们面临的主要挑战是建立法治框架下的器官捐献体系和倡导公民逝世后自愿无偿器官捐献。" "在不远的将来，产业化医用器官，包括异种器官和人工器官，必将成为除人体捐献器官以外的源源不断的补充性来源。我满怀信心地迎接这个新时代的到 来。" 移植猪器官后"会不会变成猪"？不可能！ 种牛痘是英国医生爱德华·琴纳于18世纪末发明的天花预防方法，通过接种牛痘病毒使人体获得对天花的免疫力。当时很多人怀疑接种了牛痘以后是不是会 变成牛。于是漫画家就非常生动形象地画出了当时人们的担忧：身上长出牛头、牛角之类的特征。 图片来源：受访者提供 猪器官在活体人体内存活时间最长的案例已诞生。 当地时间9月8日，据《自然》新闻（Nature News）报道，67岁的美国男子蒂姆·安德鲁斯（Tim Andrews）在接受基因编辑猪肾脏移植后，已存活接近8个 月。就在两周前，中国研究团队刚在国际学术期刊《自然·医学》（Nature Medicine）在线发表论文，报告了世界首例将基因编辑猪肺移植到脑死亡人体内的 成功案例。 陈忠华是论文的共 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the successful transplantation of genetically edited pig lungs into a brain-dead human, marking a significant advancement in xenotransplantation, which aims to address the global organ shortage crisis [1][5][18]. Group 1: Background and Importance of Xenotransplantation - Approximately 2 million people worldwide require organ transplants each year, but only about 10% receive suitable organs, highlighting the critical shortage of transplantable organs [5]. - Xenotransplantation, particularly using pig organs, is considered a promising solution to the organ shortage problem [5][9]. Group 2: Research and Development - The research team led by Professor He Jianxing from Guangzhou Medical University successfully transplanted a genetically edited Bama pig's left lung into a brain-dead patient, maintaining ventilation and gas exchange for 9 days [5][18]. - Since 2021, several cases of pig-to-human organ transplants have been reported globally, involving various organs such as hearts, kidneys, and livers [7]. Group 3: Advantages of Using Pigs - Pigs are preferred over primates for organ donation due to their abundant resources, smaller size, high survival rates, and genetic stability, along with significant anatomical and physiological similarities to humans [9][10]. - The evolutionary distance between pigs and humans reduces the risk of zoonotic diseases and ethical concerns associated with using primates [9]. Group 4: Challenges in Xenotransplantation - Despite the advantages, xenotransplantation faces challenges such as cross-species rejection and the risk of infections, which have historically hindered research progress [10][18]. - Recent advancements in gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, have enabled the development of genetically modified pigs that minimize immune rejection and viral infection risks [10][12]. Group 5: Clinical Trials and Future Prospects - Currently, xenotransplantation trials are primarily conducted in China and the United States, with significant milestones achieved in heart and kidney transplants [14][16]. - The recent lung transplant case represents a critical step towards clinical applications, although experts emphasize the need for cautious progression through further trials and research [18][19].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses significant advancements in xenotransplantation, particularly focusing on the successful transplantation of genetically edited pig organs into human patients, highlighting the potential to alleviate organ shortages in humans [3][4][5]. Summary by Sections Breakthroughs in Xenotransplantation - In October 2021, NYU Langone Medical Center performed the first transplantation of a genetically edited pig kidney into a brain-dead woman [3]. - In January 2022, the University of Maryland conducted the first live transplantation of a genetically edited pig heart, with the patient surviving for approximately two months [3]. Recent Research on Pig Lung Transplantation - In March 2025, a team from Xijing Hospital published a paper in Nature, reporting the first successful transplantation of a genetically edited pig liver into a brain-dead patient, with the organ functioning for 10 days [4]. - In August 2025, a study published in Nature Medicine documented the world's first successful transplantation of a genetically edited pig lung into a brain-dead human, with the lung surviving for 9 days and functioning properly [5][4]. Genetic Modifications and Challenges - The pig lung used in the transplantation was genetically modified by deleting three "dangerous" genes (GTKO, CMAH, B4GALNT2) and adding three protective human genes (hCD46, hCD55, hTBM) to mitigate immune rejection [7][9]. - During a 216-hour monitoring period, the transplanted pig lung maintained vitality and function without signs of hyperacute rejection or infection, although complications such as severe edema and antibody-mediated rejection were observed [9][10]. Future Directions and Considerations - The study indicates that further genetic modifications may be necessary to improve outcomes, particularly in addressing coagulation disorders and enhancing graft survival [11][12]. - The complexity of lung transplantation poses greater challenges compared to other organs, necessitating ongoing preclinical research to overcome these barriers [12]. China's Leadership in Xenotransplantation - Chinese scientists are at the forefront of xenotransplantation research, having completed the world's first human transplant of genetically edited pig liver and lung, as well as a kidney transplant with a patient surviving for nearly six months [12].