For medical researchers, the biggest challenge to the effectiveness of stem cell therapy is that the host usually rejects the transplanted cells. Researchers at the University of Missouri now show that new genetically engineered pigs will not face the risk of rejection after receiving transplanted cells.
Host rejection of transplanted cells is the main obstacle. Michael Roberts said: By establishing a new type of genetically modified pigs, there will be no rejection after receiving transplanted cells, and we can continue research on stem cell therapy. A big step has been taken. In a published study, a team of researchers transplanted human pluripotent stem cells into a unique pig. Plaza specially modified the pig's immune system to accept all transplanted cells without rejection. When scientists transplanted these cells, the pig did not reject the stem cells, and the stem cells were able to reproduce. Player said the success of this goal is noteworthy because pigs are closer to humans than many other laboratory animals.
Many medical researchers prefer to use pigs for research. Because mice are more anatomically similar to humans than other animals (such as mice). Prather said: The pigs used in the study may show similar results to humans in many different tests and treatments.