Israeli scientists have succeeded in "cultivating" pig pancreas in diabetic monkeys . The researchers hope that this research will lead to new therapies applicable in humans.
The team led by immunologist Yair Reisner transplanted pancreas tissues from 42-day-old pig embryos into four primates of the species Macaca fascicularis , in which diabetes had previously been induced. Being embryonic pancreas, the monkey body developed its own vessels to irrigate the growing pig organs. This managed to stop the usual rejection reaction that a xenotransplantation generates. Thus, two of the four macaques survived without problems for a year, and about five months after the operation they did not need any more additional doses of insulin . The other two primates suffered complications from an overdose of the drugs used to prevent transplant rejection, Reisner and his team explain in the latest issue of the journal PNAS.
Reisner is also a scientific advisor and partner to the biotech company Tissera, which financially supported the work and has declared a financial interest in the project.
