Changing Kidney Donor Blood Type
Topic: Medical Research and News
Author: University of Cambridge
Published: 2022/08/17 - Updated: 2023/03/26 - Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Contents: Summary - Definition - Introduction - Main Item - Related Topics
Synopsis: Researchers change the blood type of deceased donor kidneys using molecular scissors, offering hope to ethnic minority patients who find it hard to find suitable transplants. A kidney from someone with an A blood type cannot be transplanted to someone with a B blood type, nor the other way around. But changing the blood type to the universal O will allow more transplants to occur as O can be used for people with any blood group. By taking B-type human kidneys and pumping the enzyme through the organ using our normothermic perfusion machine, we saw in a few hours that we had converted a B-type kidney into an O type.
Introduction
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have successfully altered the blood type of three deceased donor kidneys in a ground-breaking discovery that could have major implications for kidney patients. The project, funded by charity Kidney Research UK, could increase the supply of kidneys available for transplant, particularly within ethnic minority groups who are less likely to be a match for the majority of donated kidneys.
Main Item
Professor Mike Nicholson and Ph.D. student Serena MacMillan used a normothermic perfusion machine - a device that connects with a human kidney to pass oxygenated blood through the organ to preserve it for future use better - to flush blood infused with an enzyme through the deceased kidney.
The enzyme acted like "molecular scissors" to remove the blood type markers that line the blood vessels of the kidney resulting in the organ being converted to the most common O type.
A kidney from someone with an A blood type cannot be transplanted to someone with a B blood type, nor the other way around. But changing the blood type to the universal O will allow more transplants to occur as O can be used for people with any blood group.
"It's very exciting to think about how this could potentially impact so many lives" - Serena MacMillan.
"Our confidence was boosted after we applied the enzyme to a piece of human kidney tissue and saw very quickly that the antigens were removed," said MacMillan.
"After this, we knew that the process was feasible, and we just had to scale up the project to apply the enzyme to full-size human kidneys. By taking B-type human kidneys and pumping the enzyme through the organ using our normothermic perfusion machine, we saw in a few hours that we had converted a B-type kidney into an O type."
The discovery could be particularly impactful for people from ethnic minority groups who often wait a year longer for a transplant than Caucasian patients.
Labeled Cross-Section of a Human Kidney
Labeled structure of the human kidney: 1 Renal pyramid, 2 Interlobular artery, 3 Renal artery, 4 Renal vein, 5 Renal hilum, 6 Renal pelvis, 7 Ureter, 8 Minor calyx, 9 Renal capsule, 10 Inferior renal capsule, 11 Superior renal capsule, 12 Interlobar vein, 13 Nephron, 14 Minor calyx, 15 Major calyx, 16 Renal papilla, 17 Renal column.
People from minority communities are more likely to have B-type blood, and with current low donation rates from these populations, there are not enough kidneys to go around. In 2020/21, just over 9% of total organ donations came from black and minority ethnic donors, while black and minority ethnic patients make up 33% of the kidney transplant waiting list.
The Cambridge team now needs to see how the newly changed O-type kidney will react to a patient's usual blood type in their normal blood supply. The perfusion machine allows them to do this before testing people. They can take the kidneys which have been changed to the O type, use the machine to introduce different blood types, and monitor how the kidney might react, simulating the process of transplant into the body.
"We now need to look at whether our methods can be successful in a clinical setting" - Prof Mike Nicholson
"One of the biggest restrictions to who a donated kidney can be transplanted to is the fact that you have to be blood group compatible," said Nicholson, professor of transplant surgery.
"The reason for this is that you have antigens and markers on your cells that can be either A or B. Your body naturally produces antibodies against the ones you don't have."
"Blood group classification is also determined via ethnicity, and ethnic minority groups are more likely to have the rarer B type. After successfully shifting blood group to the universal O type, we now need to look at whether our methods can be successful in a clinical setting and ultimately carried through to transplantation."
Printable chart showing possible blood type of a child according to their parents blood group.
Dr. Aisling McMahon, executive director of research at Kidney Research UK, said:
"The research that Mike and Serena are undertaking is potentially game-changing. Seeing the team's progress in such a short time is imposing, and we are excited to see the next steps."
"As an organisation, we are committed to funding research that transforms treatments and tackles health inequalities. We know that people from minority ethnic groups can wait much longer for a transplant as they are less likely to be a blood-type match with the organs available. This research offers a glimmer of hope to over 1,000 people from minority ethnic groups who are waiting for a kidney," McMahon said.
After testing the reintroduction of other blood types, the team in Cambridge will look at how the approach might be used in a clinical setting. Having made great progress in such a short space of time, they are hopeful for the future.
The full paper on Mike and Serena's work is set to be published in the British Journal of Surgery in the coming months.
Printable chart showing compatible blood types for receiving blood transfusions.
"A transplant would give me a second chance at a healthy life" - Ayesha.
Ayesha was diagnosed with stage three chronic kidney disease in 1998 when she was pregnant with her first child. She didn't think much of it while she enjoyed her time being a mother, but her kidneys deteriorated rapidly during the pandemic.
She was told she would need a transplant, but she might have to wait double or even triple the time for a kidney than a Caucasian person. Consultants estimated that she might have to wait six to ten years to receive one.
Ayesha said:
"They explained that because of my ethnicity, my wait for a deceased donor would be longer than for a white person. The reason being my background - being the Muslim community and other faiths and cultures often don't agree to be organ donors."
"I feel sad at the thought of waiting so long for a transplant, I understand a transplant isn't a cure, but it would make my body a lot stronger and give me a second chance at a healthy life."
She has recently started volunteering for Kidney Research UK under the charity's peer educator scheme, a program that recruits trusted community members to talk openly about kidney disease.
"In the Muslim communities, kidney disease is common yet still a taboo subject at the same time," said Ayesha.
"People's religious beliefs play an imperative role in making life-changing decisions. Even after the law changed, so everyone was automatically made an organ donor, many decided to opt-out."
"The research will offer so much hope to minority groups still waiting for a transplant and could help to save many lives. Convincing communities that research such as this and organ donation is beneficial is so crucial to improving and saving lives."
Ayesha continues to hope for a donor and that through her education, more people will come forward and offer her and others like her the chance at a better life.
Related Information
- List of Kidney Diseases and Conditions
- Kidney GFR Chart by Age and CKD Stages Table
- Renal Failure: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
- Lifetime Risk of Developing Kidney Failure
- Increased Lifespan of Transplanted Kidney's
- Impaired Kidney Function Raises Risk of Heart Problems in Elderly
- Kidney Pain in Lower Back
- Kidney Cancer
Attribution/Source(s):
This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Cambridge, and published on 2022/08/17 (Edit Update: 2023/03/26), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, University of Cambridge can be contacted at cam.ac.uk. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.
Explore Related Topics
1 - Genetic Link Discovered: Down Syndrome and Increased Leukemia Risk in Children - Findings from the study underscore importance of understanding the relationship between genetics and cellular environment of blood cells in those with Down Syndrome.
2 - How $4 Billion Funded Covid-19 Treatments and Lifesaving Vaccines - The NIH is the largest public funder of biomedical research, so we believe it was vital to study how $4 billion of NIH funding was allocated and used during the pandemic.
3 - Unlocking the Secrets: Scientists Decode the Silent Conversation Between Your Eyes and Ears - Eye movements can be decoded by the sounds they generate in the ear, meaning your hearing may be affected by vision..
4 - Remote Learning Aids Medical Students With Disabilities During Pandemic - Despite an increase in medical students reporting a disability, requests for testing accommodations decreased during the pandemic.
5 - Proprioception Our Sixth Sense Genes - If we can better understand our sixth sense, our particular sensory neurons, it will be possible to develop novel therapies that effectively counteract these and other types of skeletal damage.
Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer
Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.
Cite This Page (APA): University of Cambridge. (2022, August 17 - Last revised: 2023, March 26). Changing Kidney Donor Blood Type. Disabled World. Retrieved October 15, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/kidney-blood-type.php
Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/medical/kidney-blood-type.php">Changing Kidney Donor Blood Type</a>: Researchers change the blood type of deceased donor kidneys using molecular scissors, offering hope to ethnic minority patients who find it hard to find suitable transplants.
Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.