Two Auburn University researchers are working on a new technique that may improve the success of organ transplants involving non-family donors. Biological rejection is the undoing of many transplants, and successful procedures often are those in which there is a biologic match where the recipient and donor are related. The technique involves a novel bone marrow transplant procedure developed by Clint Lothrop, a professor in the Scott-Ritchey Research Center.
Resistance is altered by subjecting the recipient animal to non-lethal, low doses of radiation.
Even in this early stage, the research is showing signs of success. A recipient dog has displayed no indication of rejecting the donor organ for more than two months, the scientists said. This project has the potential to open up a huge arena in not only animal transplantation, but in human medicine as well. If the experiments are successful, it will show that humans and animals will no longer need to have a family member donate an organ that is a perfect match to optimize success of the transplant.