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| Animal tissue rejection advance | Animal tissue rejection advance |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Scientists have found a way to overcome the problem of the human body rejecting animal parts used in transplants. | Scientists have found a way to overcome the problem of the human body rejecting animal parts used in transplants. |
| The work, by the University of Leeds, means the use of animal tissue such as blood vessels, tendons and bladders may become common in surgery. | The work, by the University of Leeds, means the use of animal tissue such as blood vessels, tendons and bladders may become common in surgery. |
| Human organs for transplant are constantly in short supply, meaning long waits for many patients. | Human organs for transplant are constantly in short supply, meaning long waits for many patients. |
| Currently, the use of animal tissue for human transplant is restricted, and of limited effectiveness. | Currently, the use of animal tissue for human transplant is restricted, and of limited effectiveness. |
| If we have a means of stripping away the first, and most major cause of rejection that is certainly something that requires further investigation Mr John ForsytheEdinburgh Royal Infirmary | If we have a means of stripping away the first, and most major cause of rejection that is certainly something that requires further investigation Mr John ForsytheEdinburgh Royal Infirmary |
| For instance, chemically treated heart valves from pigs have been transplanted into patients for more than a decade, but have a limited life span as they are inert and cannot be populated by the patient's own cells, and ruling out any possibility of repair to damage. | For instance, chemically treated heart valves from pigs have been transplanted into patients for more than a decade, but have a limited life span as they are inert and cannot be populated by the patient's own cells, and ruling out any possibility of repair to damage. |
| This poses a particular problem for young patients, as the valves do not grow with the child, and must be replaced frequently. | This poses a particular problem for young patients, as the valves do not grow with the child, and must be replaced frequently. |
| The Leeds team used a combination of freezing, chemical baths and ultrasound to strip the animal tissue of the cells and biological molecules that trigger a response from the immune system. | The Leeds team used a combination of freezing, chemical baths and ultrasound to strip the animal tissue of the cells and biological molecules that trigger a response from the immune system. |
| This left a biological scaffold which could then be populated by cells from a patient's own body, creating a tissue which carries no risk of rejection, which can be repaired, and which can grow with the body. | This left a biological scaffold which could then be populated by cells from a patient's own body, creating a tissue which carries no risk of rejection, which can be repaired, and which can grow with the body. |
| So far tests have only been carried out on animals, but researcher Professor John Fisher said it was hoped to begin clinical trials on humans next year. | So far tests have only been carried out on animals, but researcher Professor John Fisher said it was hoped to begin clinical trials on humans next year. |
| Better alternative | Better alternative |
| Professor Fisher said: "We are talking about relatively simple tissues, such as blood vessels, heart valves, ligaments, tendons, surgical patches for internal repair. | Professor Fisher said: "We are talking about relatively simple tissues, such as blood vessels, heart valves, ligaments, tendons, surgical patches for internal repair. |
| "At the present time the surgeon has only got two choices, either sacrifice some tissue from somewhere else in the patient's body, or wait for a donor tissue from another human being, and clearly they are in short supply. | "At the present time the surgeon has only got two choices, either sacrifice some tissue from somewhere else in the patient's body, or wait for a donor tissue from another human being, and clearly they are in short supply. |
| "This is a very attractive alternative, because it can be available off the shelf for the surgeon to use." | "This is a very attractive alternative, because it can be available off the shelf for the surgeon to use." |
| The scientists have formed a company, Tissue Regenix, and are working with the NHS Blood and Transplant Service to develop the technique so they can create new heart valves for children. | The scientists have formed a company, Tissue Regenix, and are working with the NHS Blood and Transplant Service to develop the technique so they can create new heart valves for children. |
| However, transplant expert John Forsythe, based at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, said much work was needed before the use of animal parts was routine in transplant surgery. | However, transplant expert John Forsythe, based at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, said much work was needed before the use of animal parts was routine in transplant surgery. |
| He said it was possible that the biological scaffold left behind after cells had been stripped away could still provoke a longer-term immune reaction, as it would still be different to that found in humans. | He said it was possible that the biological scaffold left behind after cells had been stripped away could still provoke a longer-term immune reaction, as it would still be different to that found in humans. |
| In addition, using tissue which was not inert carried a potential risk of infection. | |
| However, he added: "If we have a means of stripping away the first, and most major cause of rejection that is certainly something that requires further investigation." | However, he added: "If we have a means of stripping away the first, and most major cause of rejection that is certainly something that requires further investigation." |