Chronic Immune-Mediated Reaction Syndrome as the Cause of Late Graft Mortality in Living-Donor Liver Transplantation for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

The incidence and risk factors of chronic rejection in acutely rejected pediatric liver transplantation

Background. Chronic graft rejection (CR) represents an increasing concern in pediatric liver transplantation (LT). Risk factors of CR in this population are uncertain. In present study, we aimed to ascertain if clinical parameters could predict the occurrence of CR in LT children.

Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the results from 47 children who had experienced acute hepatic rejection in Namazee hospital, Shiraz, Iran during 2007–2017.

Results. Out of 47 children, 22 (46.8%) and 25 (53.2%) were boys and girls respectively. Ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were observed in 20 (44.4%), 14 (31.1%), and 4 (9.1%) respectively. Posttransplant vascular and biliary complications were observed in 3 (7%) and 4 (9.3%) cases respectively. The mean time from LT to normalization of liver enzymes was 14.2 ± 7.5 days. The mean of acute rejection episodes was 1.4 ± 0.6 (median = 1 (22, 46.8%), range of 1–3). Six (12.7%) patients experienced CR. The mean time from LT to CR was 75 ± 28.4 days. A significant association was found between CR and patients’ condition (being inpatient or outpatient) before surgery (P = 0.03). No significant relationship was found between CR and post-transplant parameters except for biliary complications (P = 0.01). Both biliary complication (RR = 33.7, 95% CI: 2.2–511, P = 0.01) and inpatient status (RR = 10.9, 95% CI: 1.1–102.5, P = 0.03) significantly increased the risk of CR.

Conclusion. Being hospitalized at the time of LT, and development of biliary complications might predict risk factors for development of CR in LT children.

Current Status of Liver Transplantation for Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune cholestatic liver disease diagnosed with elevated alkaline phosphatase in the presence of antimitochondrial antibody. With the introduction and widespread use of ursodeoxycholic acid the proportion of PBC patients undergoing liver transplant (LT) has decreased. However, up to 40% of patients are ursodeoxycholic acid nonresponders and require second-line treatment or progress to end-stage liver disease requiring LT. Several scoring systems have been developed and validated to assess treatment response and transplant-free survival in patients. Although PBC is a favorable indication for LT, recurrence of PBC may occur and requires biopsy for diagnosis.

Potential Roles for C1 Inhibitor in Transplantation

Complement is a major contributor to inflammation and graft injury. This system is especially important in ischemia-reperfusion injury/delayed graft function as well as in acute and chronic antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). The latter is increasingly recognized as a major cause of late graft loss, for which we have few effective therapies. C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) regulates several pathways which contribute to both acute and chronic graft injuries. However, C1-INH spares the alternative pathway and the membrane attack complex (C5–9) so innate antibacterial defenses remain intact. Plasma-derived C1-INH has been used to treat hereditary angioedema for more than 30 years with excellent safety. Studies with C1-INH in transplant recipients are limited, but have not revealed any unique toxicity or serious adverse events attributed to the protein. Extensive data from animal and ex vivo models suggest that C1-INH ameliorates ischemia-reperfusion injury. Initial clinical studies suggest this effect may allow transplantation of donor organs which are now discarded because the risk of primary graft dysfunction is considered too great. Although the incidence of severe early AMR is declining, accumulating evidence strongly suggests that complement is an important mediator of chronic AMR, a major cause of late graft loss. Thus, C1-INH may also be helpful in preserving function of established grafts. Early clinical studies in transplantation suggest significant beneficial effects of C1-INH with minimal toxicity. Recent results encourage continued investigation of this already-available therapeutic agent.

Cholestatic Liver Diseases After Liver Transplant

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are the most common cholestatic liver diseases (CLD) in adults. Liver transplant (LT) is desirable for those who progress to end-stage liver disease. CLD have become an uncommon indication for LT. PSC and PBC accounted for 7.1% of all adult LT in 2015. CLD have the best post-LT outcomes compared with other indications for LT. Disease recurrence of PSC and PBC after LT is reported in up to 37% and 43% of LT recipients, respectively. Although recurrent PBC does not affect post-LT outcomes, recurrent PSC is associated with worse post-LT survival.