# Genetically-engineered pig kidney transplantation in baboons: reducing the adaptive immune response and monitoring graft function

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2021 · $664,334

## Abstract

GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED PIG ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION IN BABOONS:
IMMUNOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL STUDIES
PROJECT 1: Genetically-engineered pig kidney transplantation in baboons: reducing the
adaptive immune response and monitoring graft function (Project Lead: David K.C
Cooper)
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Considerable advances have been made in the results of life-supporting genetically-
engineered (GE) pig kidney transplantation (Tx) in nonhuman primates (NHPs), with graft and
recipient survival in months or even years. Since the barrier of the innate immune response has
largely been overcome, we will direct most of our attention to (i) reducing the adaptive immune
response, and (ii) investigating the potential physiological incompatibilities between pigs and
NHPs.
 We will first test kidney transplants from pigs with the most advanced genetic-
engineering to date, i.e., pigs with 8 genetic manipulations (8GE pigs), all aimed towards
protecting the kidney from the primate immune response. We will compare two
immunosuppressive regimens, in one using a novel costimulation blockade agent that has not
been tested in a xenotransplantation model previously. Using the preferred regimen, we will
then transplant kidneys from 8GE pigs additionally transgenic for expression of programmed
death ligand 1 (PG-L1), which should allow successful organ Tx with a reduced exogenous
immunosuppressive therapy. We predict that kidneys from these pigs, using the preferred
immunosuppressive regimen, will function for 6 months in the absence of immune-related injury,
thus allowing a comprehensive study of renal function to determine whether there are
physiological incompatibilities that might require attention.
 Offering patients with end-stage renal disease a timely pig kidney transplant without
excessive exogenous immunosuppressive therapy would allow many more patients to receive
kidney transplants, and reduce the need for chronic dialysis.
1

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242790
- **Project number:** 5U19AI090959-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID KC COOPER
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $664,334
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2010-08-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242790

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242790, Genetically-engineered pig kidney transplantation in baboons: reducing the adaptive immune response and monitoring graft function (5U19AI090959-13). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242790. Licensed CC0.

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