# The genetically engineered pig heart as a bridge to allotransplantation in infants

> **NIH NIH R33** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2023 · $501,283

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
There is a critical need for novel cardiac support techniques in infants with complex cardiac disease.
A recent analysis of UNOS database from 1987 to 2016 documented only 55% of infants placed on
cardiac transplant wait list survived to transplantation. The results of mechanical circulatory support
(MCS) in infants is suboptimal. Actuarial six month survival of infants placed on MCS is reported by
PEDIMACS to be 50% and most have adverse events. These results establish a pressing need for a
new treatment paradigm in this age group. The potential of a completely implantable biologic support
for infants on the cardiac transplant list would be transformative. Our preliminary data strongly
suggest that anti-pig antibodies will not be a barrier to GEPH transplantation in infants if hearts are
taken from `triple-knockout' (TKO) pigs. These pigs lack the 3 enzymes 1,3-galactosyltransferase
(produces galactose-1,3galactose [GaL], cytidine monophosphate-N-acetylneuraminic acid
hydroxylase (produces Neu5Gc), and 1,4-acetylgalactosaminyltrnsferase (adds Sda). (Table 1).
These pigs are referred to as triple knockouts (TKO). We documented a lack of pre-formed antibodies
to red blood cells (RBCs) of TKO pigs even after complex cardiac procedures. Binding of anti-pig IgM
and IgG is greatly reduced compared with that to wild-type (i.e., unmodified [WT] pigs).
This R33 application will allow us to target enabling technology to address a major translational
clinical deficiency in the management of infants with critical cardiac disease. If successful, it
establishes a transformative platform for the management of heart failure in the infant population. To
our knowledge, we are the only research group focused on the potential application of this rapidly
developing technology in this patient population. Access to the most advanced GEPHs available
(hearts that would be suitable for transplantation in human infants) indicates the potential for data
developed in this study to provide support for clinical application within five years.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10815486
- **Project number:** 7R33HL163718-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** John David Cleveland
- **Activity code:** R33 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $501,283
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2023-04-01 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10815486

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10815486, The genetically engineered pig heart as a bridge to allotransplantation in infants (7R33HL163718-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10815486. Licensed CC0.

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