Kayumov, M., Song, Z., Martin, F., Tsou, S., Xiao, Y., Zhou, H., & Tullius, S. G. (2025). The promise of organ rejuvenation to overcome the shortage in organ transplantation.. Nature Communications, 16(1), 11259.
Abstract
Organ shortage remains a major barrier in treating end-stage organ failure, with many patients dying while waiting or becoming medically unfit by the time an organ is offered. A substantial number of organs, particularly from older donors, remain unused due to concerns over age-related decline in quality. This review highlights emerging strategies to rejuvenate and optimize such organs by mitigating ischemia-reperfusion injury and reducing age-related immunogenicity. Advances in organ preservation, perfusion technologies, and novel therapies - including senotherapeutics, anti-inflammatory agents, and stem cell treatments - show promise in improving graft viability and bridging the gap between organ supply and demand.