Donated Livers Made Biologically Younger With Perfusion

Scientists have discovered that donated livers can be made biologically younger at a molecular level when placed on perfusion machines. This breakthrough research, shared with MIT Technology Review, offers molecular insights into why organs from younger donors typically have higher transplant success rates and may explain the reduced failure rates observed in transplanted organs that have undergone perfusion. The study's authors aim to develop new methods for assessing the health of donated organs and create tools to repair organs that might otherwise be discarded.

Jesse Poganik, a researcher specializing in aging at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and a co-author of the study, stated that improving the utilization of donated organs beyond current capabilities would be a significant achievement. The research team, which included transplant surgeons Heidi Yeh and Alban Longchamp from Mass General Brigham, employed "aging clocks" to evaluate donated livers. These "aging clocks" are scientific instruments designed to measure biological age, providing a more accurate reflection of an organ's or individual's health status than chronological age.

In an initial experimental phase, the researchers utilized an aging clock to analyze patterns of chemical modifications on DNA. These analyses were conducted on 37 samples obtained from 19 donated livers. The standard procedure for donated organs involves flushing them with a preservative solution, packaging them on ice, and transporting them to a recipient, with a limited window of a few hours before degradation begins. An alternative approach gaining traction involves placing donated organs on machines that circulate nutrients and remove waste products for approximately six to 12 hours, mimicking a biological environment. This perfusion process allows for organ assessment and, according to some recent studies, can enhance post-transplant performance.

The implications of this research are substantial. By demonstrating that organs can be rejuvenated at a molecular level, the study opens avenues for increasing the number of viable organs for transplantation. This could potentially reduce organ wastage and shorten transplant waiting lists. Further development of these aging clock technologies could also lead to more precise diagnostics for organ health, enabling surgeons to make more informed decisions and potentially intervene to improve organ function before transplantation. The study's findings contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of ex vivo machine perfusion in improving organ quality and transplant outcomes.