xenografts
Cross-species organ transfers
Xenografts are tissue or organ transplants between different species—a pig heart valve placed in a human patient, for instance.
The prefix xeno- means foreign or strange.
Medical research uses xenografts extensively, transplanting human tumor cells into mice to study cancer treatments.
The practice raises both immunological challenges and ethical questions about cross-species medicine.
Of or like swine
- bovineOf the cattle family
- donorOne who contributes freely
- recipientOne who receives something
- cornealOf the eye's outer layer
cartilage · cross-species · interspecies · chimeric · preservation · procurement · harvesting
Denial of acceptance
- hyperacuteExcessively sharp or keen
- acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
- chronicPersisting over time
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
antigens · T-cells · mismatch · sensitization · cytotoxicity · lymphocytes · immunosuppression · tolerance
Gene-editing molecular machinery
- humanizedMade more human-like
- bioprintingDepositing living cells mechanically
- scaffoldsTemporary elevated work platforms
- decellularizationRemoving cells from tissue
Moral philosophy for medicine
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- FDAU.S. health regulator
- zoonosisAnimal-to-human disease transmission
Before human trials
- mouseSmall gnawing mammal
- ratRodent or informer
- primateHigher mammal order member
- experimentalTesting new methods
PDX · biomedical · pharmacology · translational · laboratory
Drugs reducing body defenses
- cyclosporineImmunosuppressive transplant drug
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
porcine
Of or like swine
corneal · cartilage · cross-species · interspecies · chimeric · preservation · procurement · harvesting
rejection
Denial of acceptance
- hyperacuteExcessively sharp or keen
- acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
- chronicPersisting over time
antibodies · antigens · T-cells · mismatch · sensitization · cytotoxicity · lymphocytes · immunosuppression · tolerance · accommodation
CRISPR
Gene-editing molecular machinery
- humanizedMade more human-like
- bioprintingDepositing living cells mechanically
- scaffoldsTemporary elevated work platforms
decellularization · biomaterials · bioreactors · cloning · transgenic
bioethics
Moral philosophy for medicine
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- FDAU.S. health regulator
preclinical
Before human trials
experimental · PDX · biomedical · pharmacology · translational · laboratory
immunosuppressants
Drugs reducing body defenses
- cyclosporineImmunosuppressive transplant drug
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- monitoringOngoing observation of something