Enzymatic blood group conversion of human kidneys during ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion

Br J Surg. 2023 Jan 10;110(2):133-137. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znac293.

Abstract

A major restriction to transplantation is the requirement for ABO blood group compatibility between donor and recipient. In this study, an α-galactosidase enzyme from Bacteroides fragilis was used successfully to remove type B blood group antigens enzymatically from human kidneys using ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion. This provides the first step for a strategy to overcome the ABO barrier in kidney transplantation.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Kidney*
  • Organ Preservation
  • Perfusion