Researchers Successfully Transplant Kidney with "Universal" Blood Type into Human Recipient

Breakthrough in Organ Transplantation: First Human Kidney Modified to Have 'Universal' Blood Type In a groundbreaking medical procedure, researchers from Canada and China have successfully transplanted a kidney with a modified blood type into a 68-year-old brain-dead man. The donor kidney was converted from type-A to type-O using an enzyme, making it compatible for transplantation regardless of the recipient's blood type. According to Dr. Stephen Withers, a chemist at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and lead author of the study, "The enzyme we used converts type-A blood into type-O by removing the A antigens." This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize organ transplantation by increasing the availability of donor organs. The procedure was performed on January 10, 2023, at a hospital in Chongqing, China. The recipient's immune system initially accepted the transplanted kidney, but it showed signs of rejection after two days. Despite this setback, the researchers remain optimistic about the prospects of this technology. Currently, organ transplantation is limited by the need for blood type compatibility between donors and recipients. Organs with type-O blood are considered "universal" because they do not have A or B antigens, making them suitable for anyone. However, the scarcity of available organs means that many patients die while waiting for a compatible match. Dr. Withers explained that the enzyme used in this procedure is a key breakthrough: "We've been working on developing an enzyme that can selectively remove A antigens from type-A blood. This has the potential to make more donor kidneys available for transplantation." The implications of this technology are far-reaching, with experts predicting a significant increase in organ availability and reduced waiting times for patients. According to Dr. Withers, "This could potentially save thousands of lives worldwide by increasing access to donor organs." While the procedure is still in its early stages, researchers are already exploring ways to improve the enzyme's effectiveness and reduce rejection rates. The next step will be to conduct further clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of this technology. As Dr. Withers noted, "This is a major breakthrough that could change the face of organ transplantation forever." *Reporting by Nature.*