1
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Cox DRA, Low N, Goh SK, Lee E, Vago A, Jackett L, Lokan J, Braat S, Jones R, Testro A, Dobrovic A, Muralidharan V. Low Levels of Hepatocyte-Specific Methylation in Cell-Free DNA Are a Strong Negative Predictor for Acute T Cell-Mediated Rejection Requiring Treatment Following Liver Transplantation. Liver Transpl 2022; 28:1024-1038. [PMID: 34919754 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Graft-derived cell-free DNA (gdcfDNA) quantification is a promising, minimally invasive tool for detecting acute T cell-mediated rejection (ATCMR) following liver transplantation (LT). We investigated the utility of measuring hepatocyte-specific methylation in cfDNA (HS-cfDNA) to quantify gdcfDNA, examining its accuracy in detecting ATCMR in a prospective, cross-sectional study. Blood was collected from LT recipients immediately prior to graft biopsy for suspected rejection. HS-cfDNA was quantified using droplet-digital polymerase chain reaction. Prebiopsy liver function tests (LFTs) and HS-cfDNA levels were correlated with biopsy results and the primary outcome of treated biopsy-proven acute rejection (tBPAR). A total of 51 patients were recruited; 37 had evidence of rejection on biopsy and 20 required treatment. As much as 11 patients needed inpatient treatment for rejection. HS-cfDNA significantly outperformed LFTs in identifying patients with tBPAR, particularly those needing inpatient treatment (area under the curve, 73.0%; 95% confidence interval, 55.4%-90.6%; P = 0.01). At a threshold of <33.5% of the total cfDNA fraction, HS-cfDNA had a specificity of 97%, correctly excluding tBPAR in 30/31 patients. Quantifying graft-specific methylation in cfDNA has a major advantage over previous gdcfDNA techniques: it does not require genotyping/sequencing, lending it greater feasibility for translation into transplantation care. Low levels of HS-cfDNA were a strong negative predictor for tBPAR (negative predictive value, 86%) and may have a future role in triaging patients prior to invasive graft biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R A Cox
- Department of Surgery - Austin Precinct, Austin Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,HPB & Transplant Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Translational Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas Low
- Department of Surgery - Austin Precinct, Austin Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,HPB & Transplant Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Su Kah Goh
- HPB & Transplant Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eunice Lee
- HPB & Transplant Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Angela Vago
- Liver Transplant Unit, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Louise Jackett
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie Lokan
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sabine Braat
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,MISCH (Methods and Implementation Support for Clinical Health Research Hub), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Robert Jones
- Department of Surgery - Austin Precinct, Austin Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,HPB & Transplant Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Liver Transplant Unit, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam Testro
- Liver Transplant Unit, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander Dobrovic
- Translational Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Vijayaragavan Muralidharan
- Department of Surgery - Austin Precinct, Austin Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,HPB & Transplant Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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2
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New insights on the monitoring of solid-organ allografts based on immune cell signatures. Transpl Immunol 2021; 70:101509. [PMID: 34843937 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2021.101509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Attaining a fair long-term allograft survival remains a challenge for allogeneic transplantation worldwide. Although the emergence of immunosuppressants has caused noticeable progress in the management of immunologic rejection, proper application of these therapeutics and dose adjustments require delicate and real-time monitoring of recipients. Nevertheless, the majority of conventional allograft monitoring approaches are based on organ damage or functional tests that render them unable to predict the rejection events in early time points before the establishment of a functional alloimmune response. On the other hand, biopsy-based methods include invasive practices and are accompanied by serious complications. In recent years, there have been a myriad of attempts on the discovery of reliable and non-invasive approaches for the monitoring of allografts that regarding a close relationship between allografts and hosts' immune system, most of the attempts have been devoted to the studies on the immune response-associated biomarkers. The discovery of gene and protein expression patterns in immune cells along with their phenotypic characterization and secretome analysis as well as tracking the immune responses in allograft tissues and clinical specimens are among the notable attempts taken to discover the non-invasive predictive markers with a proper coincidence to the pathologic condition. Collectively, these studies suggest a list of candidate biomarkers with ideal potentials for early and non-invasive prediction of allograft rejection and shed light on the way towards developing more standardized and reproducible approaches for monitoring the allograft rejection.
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3
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Gardiner BJ, Lee SJ, Cristiano Y, Levvey BJ, Sullivan LC, Snell GI, Peleg AY, Westall GP. Evaluation of Quantiferon®-Monitor as a biomarker of immunosuppression and predictor of infection in lung transplant recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2021; 23:e13550. [PMID: 33351991 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimizing immunosuppression in lung transplant recipients (LTR) is crucially important in minimizing the risk of infection and rejection. Quantiferon®-Monitor (QFM) is a candidate immune function biomarker which has not yet been rigorously evaluated in the lung transplant setting. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to explore relationships between QFM results, immunosuppression, and infection/rejection in LTR. METHODS QFM, which measures interferon-γ after stimulation with innate and adaptive immune antigens, was tested before and at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 52 weeks post-transplant. Immunosuppression relationships were assessed with linear mixed effects models. Clinical outcomes were analyzed based on the preceding QFM result. RESULTS Eighty LTR were included. Median pre-transplant QFM levels were 171 IU/mL (IQR 45-461), decreasing to 3 IU/mL (IQR 1-8) at 2 weeks post-transplant then progressively recovering toward baseline with time from transplant. Prednisolone was strongly inversely associated with QFM level (0.1 mg/kg dose increase correlating with 88 IU/mL QFM decrease, 95% CI 61-114, P < .001). Patients with QFM values <10 and <60 IU/mL were more likely to develop a serious opportunistic infection between 3 and 6 months (HR 6.38, 95% CI 1.37-29.66, P = .02) and 6-12 months (HR 3.25, 95% CI 1.11-9.49, P = .03) post-transplant, respectively. CONCLUSIONS QFM values declined significantly post-transplant, with patients recovering at different rates. Prednisolone dose significantly impacted QFM results. Low levels were associated with infection beyond 3 months post-transplant, suggesting that QFM may be able to identify overly immunosuppressed patients who could be targeted for dose reduction. Larger prospective studies are needed to further evaluate this promising assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley J Gardiner
- Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sue J Lee
- Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yvonne Cristiano
- Department of Respiratory Medicine & Lung Transplantation, Alfred Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bronwyn J Levvey
- Department of Respiratory Medicine & Lung Transplantation, Alfred Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lucy C Sullivan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine & Lung Transplantation, Alfred Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Melbourne and Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gregory I Snell
- Department of Respiratory Medicine & Lung Transplantation, Alfred Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anton Y Peleg
- Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Glen P Westall
- Department of Respiratory Medicine & Lung Transplantation, Alfred Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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4
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McClure T, Goh SK, Cox D, Muralidharan V, Dobrovic A, Testro AG. Donor-specific cell-free DNA as a biomarker in liver transplantation: A review. World J Transplant 2020; 10:307-319. [PMID: 33312892 PMCID: PMC7708879 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v10.i11.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to advances in modern medicine, liver transplantation has revolutionised the prognosis of many previously incurable liver diseases. This progress has largely been due to advances in immunosuppressant therapy. However, despite the judicious use of immunosuppression, many liver transplant recipients still experience complications such as rejection, which necessitates diagnosis via invasive liver biopsy. There is a clear need for novel, minimally-invasive tests to optimise immunosuppression and improve patient outcomes. An emerging biomarker in this ''precision medicine'' liver transplantation field is that of donor-specific cell free DNA. In this review, we detail the background and methods of detecting this biomarker, examine its utility in liver transplantation and discuss future research directions that may be most impactful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess McClure
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg 3084, VIC, Australia
| | - Su Kah Goh
- Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Heidelberg 3084, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel Cox
- Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Heidelberg 3084, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Alexander Dobrovic
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg 3084, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam G Testro
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg 3084, VIC, Australia
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5
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Di Maira T, Little EC, Berenguer M. Immunosuppression in liver transplant. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2020; 46-47:101681. [PMID: 33158467 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2020.101681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The increasing potency of immunosuppression (IS) agents resulted in significantly decreased rates of steroid resistant rejection and rejection related graft loss in liver transplantation (LT). Currently, more than two thirds of late mortality after LT is unrelated to graft function. However, the increased benefit of more potent IS drugs, coupled with the prolonged survival of transplant recipients led to longer patients exposure to these drugs and their unwanted adverse effects, creating a double-edged sword. In this article the authors describe the mechanism of action and the adverse effects of the most commonly used immunosuppressed drugs, and the most commonly used IS regimens for both induction and maintenance regimens. The balance between the ideal IS regimen to prevent rejection and the need to minimize the dose of IS drugs in order to prevent the adverse effects related to its use requires the knowledge of the science and the experience with the art of medicine. The different protocols aimed at protecting renal function and preventing the development of de novo cancer and metabolic syndrome are discussed here. The main causes of mortality late after liver transplant are associated with prolonged use of IS medications, and clear evidence exists about over-immunosuppression of recipients of liver transplant. The current status of strategies of IS minimization and withdrawal are reviewed in this article, with evaluation of its benefits and pitfalls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Di Maira
- Liver Transplantation and Hepatology Unit, Hospital Universitari I Politècnic La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell, 106 (Torre F5), Valencia, 46026, Spain; CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain; ISS La Fe, Valencia, 46026, Spain.
| | - Ester Coelho Little
- University of Arizona, College of Medicine, 3110 East Minnesona Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA.
| | - Marina Berenguer
- Liver Transplantation and Hepatology Unit, Hospital Universitari I Politècnic La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell, 106 (Torre F5), Valencia, 46026, Spain; CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain; ISS La Fe, Valencia, 46026, Spain; Universidad de Valencia, Facultad de Medicina, Valencia, 46010, Spain.
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6
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Margeta I, Mareković I, Pešut A, Zelenika M, Dorotić M, Mrnjec I, Knotek M. Evaluation of cell-mediated immune response by QuantiFERON Monitor Assay in kidney transplant recipients presenting with infective complications. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e21010. [PMID: 32629720 PMCID: PMC7337481 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000021010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The net level of immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients is difficult to assess. QuantiFERON Monitor (QFM) is an in vitro diagnostic test that detects interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release in peripheral blood. The aim of our study was to compare QFM testing results in stable kidney transplant recipients and kidney transplant recipients with infection, in a single-centre cohort.We enrolled 71 kidney transplant recipients from our transplantation centre. They were divided into 2 groups according to clinical presentation (Stable kidney transplant recipients or Infection).There were no significant differences in interferon-γ release between the 2 groups (Stable kidney transplant recipients 140.59 ± 215.28 IU/ml, Infection group 78.37 ± 197.03 IU/ml, P = .24). A further analysis revealed that kidney transplant recipients presenting with bacterial infection had significantly lower IFN-γ release when compared to stable kidney transplant recipients (26.52 ± 42.46 IU/ml vs 140.59 ± 215.28 IU/ml, P = .04).Kidney transplant recipients presenting with bacterial infection had lower IFN-γ release when compared to stable kidney transplant recipients. The QFM test may be useful as a tool to help guide immunosuppression dosing in kidney transplant recipients, but further studies are required to confirm its diagnostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Margeta
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital “Merkur”
| | - Ivana Mareković
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, University Hospital Center
- University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Pešut
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, University Hospital Center
| | | | | | - Ivana Mrnjec
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital “Merkur”
| | - Mladen Knotek
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital “Merkur”
- University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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7
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Marx S, Adam C, Mihm J, Weyrich M, Sester U, Sester M. A Polyclonal Immune Function Assay Allows Dose-Dependent Characterization of Immunosuppressive Drug Effects but Has Limited Clinical Utility for Predicting Infection on an Individual Basis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:916. [PMID: 32499781 PMCID: PMC7243819 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dosage of immunosuppressive drugs after transplantation critically determines rejection and infection episodes. In this study, a global immune function assay was characterized among controls, dialysis-patients, and transplant-recipients to evaluate its utility for pharmacodynamic monitoring of immunosuppressive drugs and for predicting infections. Whole-blood samples were stimulated with anti-CD3/toll-like-receptor (TLR7/8)-agonist in the presence or absence of drugs and IFN-γ secretion was measured by ELISA. Additional stimulation-induced cytokines were characterized among T-, B-, and NK-cells using flow-cytometry. Cytokine-secretion was dominated by IFN-γ, and mainly observed in CD4, CD8, and NK-cells. Intra-assay variability was low (CV = 10.4 ± 6.2%), whereas variability over time was high, even in the absence of clinical events (CV = 65.0 ± 35.7%). Cyclosporine A, tacrolimus and steroids dose-dependently inhibited IFN-γ secretion, and reactivity was further reduced when calcineurin inhibitors were combined with steroids. Moreover, IFN-γ levels significantly differed between controls, dialysis-patients, and transplant-recipients, with lowest IFN-γ levels early after transplantation (p < 0.001). However, a single test had limited ability to predict infectious episodes. In conclusion, the assay may have potential for basic pharmacodynamic characterization of immunosuppressive drugs and their combinations, and for assessing loss of global immunocompetence after transplantation, but its application to guide drug-dosing and to predict infectious on an individual basis is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Marx
- Department of Transplant and Infection Immunology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Adam
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Janine Mihm
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Michael Weyrich
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Urban Sester
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Martina Sester
- Department of Transplant and Infection Immunology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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8
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Kurabekova R, Tsirulnikova O, Pashkova I, Gichkun O, Mozheyko N, Gautier S, Shevchenko O. Transforming growth factor beta 1 levels in the blood of pediatric liver recipients: Clinical and biochemical correlations. Pediatr Transplant 2020; 24:e13693. [PMID: 32196884 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
TGF-β1 is a cytokine with profibrogenic and immunosuppressive activities, which suggest the clinical significance of TGF-β1 for the assessment of graft function after LT. We analyzed the dynamics of TGF-β1 levels in the blood after LDLT in 135 pediatric liver recipients and examined the relationship between the cytokine levels and the laboratory and clinical variables. We found that TGF-β1 levels in the blood of patients with ESLD were lower than that in healthy children of the same age, P = .001. Moreover, blood levels of TGF-β1 were associated with liver disease etiology (r = .23) and hepatic fibrosis severity (r = .33). Before LDLT, TGF-β1 levels were significantly higher in children with good outcomes than in recipients who developed graft dysfunction early in the post-transplant period, P = .047. One month after LDLT, TGF-β1 levels in blood plasma increased in pediatric recipients, P = .002. Cytokine levels were significantly correlated with gender (r = .21) and HLA (r = -.24) mismatches, as well as with TAC dosage (r = -.32) later in the post-transplant period. One year after LDLT, TGF-β1 plasma levels were higher (P = .01) than those before LDLT and did not correlate with most of the investigated biochemical and clinical variables. Conclusion: Blood levels of TGF-β1 are associated with hepatic fibrosis severity, graft dysfunction development, and TAC dosage and can be regarded as a potential prognostic biomarker for the assessment of graft function and the optimization of immunosuppressant dosage in pediatric recipients after LDLT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rivada Kurabekova
- V.I. Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Tsirulnikova
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Pashkova
- V.I. Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Gichkun
- V.I. Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Mozheyko
- V.I. Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Gautier
- V.I. Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Shevchenko
- V.I. Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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9
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Zarrinpar A, Kim UB, Boominathan V. Phenotypic Response and Personalized Medicine in Liver Cancer and Transplantation: Approaches to Complex Systems. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201900167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Zarrinpar
- Department of Surgery, College of MedicineUniversity of Florida Gainesville FL 32610 USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of MedicineUniversity of Florida Gainesville FL 32610 USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Herbert Wertheim College of EngineeringUniversity of Florida Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Un Bi Kim
- Department of Surgery, College of MedicineUniversity of Florida Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Vijay Boominathan
- Department of Surgery, College of MedicineUniversity of Florida Gainesville FL 32610 USA
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10
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Zhang AB, Peng YF, Jia JJ, Nie Y, Zhang SY, Xie HY, Zhou L, Zheng SS. Exosome-derived galectin-9 may be a novel predictor of rejection and prognosis after liver transplantation. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2020; 20:605-612. [PMID: 31168974 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1900051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Acute cellular rejection (ACR) remains a major concern after liver transplantation. Predicting and monitoring acute rejection by non-invasive methods are very important for guiding the use of immunosuppressive drugs. Many studies have shown that exosomes and their contents are potential biomarkers for various liver diseases. Here, we identify and validate the role of exosomes and galectin-9 in ACR after liver transplantation. Exosomes were isolated from three sets of paired patients, with and without ACR, and the proteins within the exosomes were isolated and identified. Candidate proteins were then validated using a tissue microarray containing resected liver samples from 73 ACR and 63 non-rejection patients. Finally, protein expression and clinical manifestations were included in Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses. Circulating exosomes were isolated from ACR and non-rejection patients and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and western blotting for CD63/CD81. Western blotting experiments revealed higher levels of galectin-9 protein in circulating exosomes from ACR recipients. Immunohistochemical analysis of the tissue microarray showed that the expression of galectin-9 in resected liver was significantly higher in the ACR group than in the non-rejection group (P<0.05). Higher levels of galectin-9 expression in resected livers were associated with poorer prognosis (P<0.05). Exosome-derived galectin-9 may be a novel predictor of rejection and prognosis after liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Bin Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Yi-Fan Peng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Jun-Jun Jia
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Yu Nie
- Organ Transplant Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shi-Yu Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Hai-Yang Xie
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Shu-Sen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.,NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
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11
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Hanson KE, Limaye AP. Prediction of Infection After Solid Organ Transplantation: Is Measuring Cell-Mediated Immunity the Answer? Clin Infect Dis 2019; 66:1398-1399. [PMID: 29281087 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix1009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly E Hanson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Ajit P Limaye
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
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12
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Zhou H, Zhan F, Zhang H, Gu J, Mu X, Gao J, Rao J, Ji G, Ni X, Lu L, Xia Y. The proportion of CD19 +CD24 hiCD27 + regulatory B cells predicts the occurrence of acute allograft rejection in liver transplantation. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:465. [PMID: 31700901 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.08.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background Regulatory B cells (Bregs) play an essential role in inflammation and transplant tolerance. Several studies have reported a decreased number of Bregs in renal transplant patients with graft rejection. However, little is known about their role in the liver alloresponse. Methods To investigate whether the circulating Bregs have been associated with acute allograft rejection (AR) in liver transplantation patients, 19 patients receiving liver allografts from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors were retrospectively studied. Results The postoperative proportions of circulating CD19+CD24hiCD38hi transitional Bregs (tBregs) and CD19+CD24hiCD27+ memory Bregs (mBregs) in patients diagnosed with AR (AR group) and other patients with stable allograft liver function (SF group) were evaluated using flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. Results showed that while no significant changes were found regarding both the tBreg and mBreg, proportions across all time points in the SF group, the AR group showed significantly decreased proportions of mBregs. All of the five AR patients responded fine to the treatments, and the proportions of mBregs increased significantly after anti-rejection therapies. In addition, AR was suspected in four recipients, but gradually they were diagnosed with hemolytic or obstructive jaundice and showed no decrease in the proportion of mBregs. Conclusions For the first time, our results suggested the potential role of a decreased proportion of circulating mBregs in predicting AR in patients with post liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoming Zhou
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Feng Zhan
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Laparoscopic Surgery, the Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing 214200, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jian Gu
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xiaoxin Mu
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Ji Gao
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jianhua Rao
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Guwei Ji
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xuhao Ni
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yongxiang Xia
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Affiliated Jiangning Hospital, Liver Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210029, China
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13
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Goh SK, Do H, Testro A, Pavlovic J, Vago A, Lokan J, Jones RM, Christophi C, Dobrovic A, Muralidharan V. The Measurement of Donor-Specific Cell-Free DNA Identifies Recipients With Biopsy-Proven Acute Rejection Requiring Treatment After Liver Transplantation. Transplant Direct 2019; 5:e462. [PMID: 31334336 PMCID: PMC6616138 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000000902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessment of donor-specific cell-free DNA (dscfDNA) in the recipient is emerging as a noninvasive biomarker of organ rejection after transplantation. We previously developed a digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach that readily measures dscfDNA within clinically relevant turnaround times. Using this approach, we characterized the dynamics and evaluated the clinical utility of dscfDNA after liver transplantation (LT). METHODS Deletion/insertion polymorphisms were used to distinguish donor-specific DNA from recipient-specific DNA. Posttransplant dscfDNA was measured in the plasma of the recipients. In the longitudinal cohort, dscfDNA was serially measured at days 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42 in 20 recipients. In the cross-sectional cohort, dscfDNA was measured in 4 clinically stable recipients (>1-y posttransplant) and 16 recipients (>1-mo posttransplant) who were undergoing liver biopsies. RESULTS Recipients who underwent LT without complications demonstrated an exponential decline in dscfDNA. Median levels at days 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42 were 1936, 1015, 247, 90, and 66 copies/mL, respectively. dscfDNA was higher in recipients with treated biopsy-proven acute rejection (tBPAR) when compared to those without. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of dscfDNA was higher than that of routine liver function tests for tBPAR (dscfDNA: 98.8% with 95% confidence interval, 95.8%-100%; alanine aminotransferase: 85.7%; alkaline phosphatase: 66.4%; gamma-glutamyl transferase: 80.1%; and bilirubin: 35.4%). CONCLUSIONS dscfDNA as measured by probe-free droplet digital PCR methodology was reflective of organ health after LT. Our findings demonstrate the potential utility of dscfDNA as a diagnostic tool of tBPAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Kah Goh
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Translational Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Hongdo Do
- Translational Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam Testro
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie Pavlovic
- Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Angela Vago
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie Lokan
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Robert M. Jones
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary & Transplant Surgery Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher Christophi
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary & Transplant Surgery Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander Dobrovic
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Translational Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Vijayaragavan Muralidharan
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary & Transplant Surgery Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
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14
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Mian M, Natori Y, Ferreira V, Selzner N, Husain S, Singer L, Kim SJ, Humar A, Kumar D. Evaluation of a Novel Global Immunity Assay to Predict Infection in Organ Transplant Recipients. Clin Infect Dis 2017; 66:1392-1397. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix1008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Muhtashim Mian
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yoichiro Natori
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Victor Ferreira
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nazia Selzner
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shahid Husain
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lianne Singer
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - S Joseph Kim
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Atul Humar
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deepali Kumar
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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