Jessi J. White

Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 3   
Received: 11 May, 2024    Accepted: 13 Jun., 2024    Published: 24 Jun., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Xenotransplantation has emerged as a promising solution to the severe shortage of human donor organs. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology, with its unprecedented precision and efficiency in gene editing, has revolutionized this field, making it possible to genetically modify donor animals to enhance compatibility and reduce immunogenicity. This study explores the current applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in xenotransplantation, highlighting significant advancements such as the knockout of genes producing xenogeneic antigens and the elimination of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) to prevent zoonotic disease transmission. Despite these achievements, challenges such as off-target effects, genetic mosaicism, and long-term organ survival rates still exist. The research also discusses emerging technologies and the integration of CRISPR/Cas9 with other biotechnological approaches, which have the potential to address these challenges and further advance the field. This study hopes to promote a broader understanding and acceptance of xenotransplantation as a life-saving medical intervention driven by innovations in CRISPR/Cas9 technology.

CRISPR/Cas9; Xenotransplantation; Genetic modification; Immunological rejection; Gene editing