Long-term Challenges After Solid Organ Transplantation: Summary of Expert Presentations From the Sandoz 5th Standalone Transplantation Meeting, 2017

The value of extracorporeal photopheresis as an immunosuppression-modifying approach in solid organ transplantation: a potential solution to an unmet medical need

Allograft rejection is a critical issue following solid organ transplantation (SOT). Immunosuppressive therapies are crucial in reducing risk of rejection yet are accompanied by several significant side effects, including infection, malignancy, cardiovascular diseases, and nephrotoxicity. There is a current unmet medical need with a lack of effective minimization strategies for these side effects. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has shown potential as an immunosuppression (IS)-modifying technique in several SOT types, with improvements seen in acute and recurrent rejection, allograft survival, and associated side effects, and could fulfil this unmet need. Through a review of the available literature detailing key areas in which ECP may benefit patients, this review highlights the IS-modifying potential of ECP in the four most common SOT procedures (heart, lung, kidney, and liver transplantation) and highlights existing gaps in data. Current evidence supports the use of ECP for IS modification following SOT, however there is a need for further high-quality research, in particular randomized control trials, in this area.

Microvascular activation and exocytosis after exposure to the serum from mismatched recipients by using donor microvascular cultures

BACKGROUND

Microvascular injury resulting from activation and exocytosis are early signs of tissue damage caused by allografting. However, humoral anti-graft reactions are not easily detectable in transplant biopsies. The aim of this study was to establish a bioassay to recapitulate this process in a prospective approach.

METHODS

The study was executed by using our previously established protocol to isolate and freeze the donors' microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) at the transplantation (34 living-related donors and 26 cadaver donors); and to collect sera from the recipients before the transplantation, one-, three- and six-months after transplantation. The activation and exocytosis of the MVEC were determined by incubating the donors' cultures with the recipients' sera. We determined if there was any endothelial activation by quantifying the releases of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in supernatants and the expressions of membrane intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD54) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD106) by flow cytometry. Endothelial exocytosis was determined by quantifying soluble E-selectin (CD62E) and cytoplasmic von Willebrand Factor (vWF) in supernatants. Endothelial activation or exocytosis was considered positive when the fold change (≧1.5) of post-transplantation to pre-transplantation was reached. We also monitored serum PRA and cytokines using Luminex multiple-plex and cytometric bead-based assay respectively.

RESULTS

We found 41.2% recipients (14 out of 34, ranging from 1.5 to 5.2 folds, p < 0.05) exhibited positive MVEC activation in the first month after transplantation as determined by IL-8 levels; 26.5% recipients (9 out of 34, ranging from 1.5 to 11.8 folds, p < 0.05) by MCP-1 levels. In the group of three months post-transplantation, 70.6% patients were positive (12 out of 17, ranging from 1.8 to 87.1 folds, p < 0.05) by IL-8 increased levels; 24% recipients (4 out of 17, ranging from 1.8 to 50.5 folds, p < 0.05) measured by MCP-1 levels. However, these changes disappeared six months after transplantation. Flow cytometric data showed that a time-dependent of CD54+ and CD106+ expressions existed over the course of six months. Most CD54+ and CD106+ cells were CD31- (platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1), though CD31+/CD106+ (37.5%, 3 out of 8) and CD31+/CD106+ (25%. 2 out of 8) were seen. When comparing donor MVEC activation to their recipient's proinflammatory cytokine levels or PRA status, we could not draw a conclusion regarding the connections between them. The sera collected from recipients at either one- or three-months after allografting did not significantly induce the release of either soluble CD62E or vWF (p > 0.05), indicating exocytosis was not significantly involved in the acute phase of allografting.

CONCLUSIONS

This bioassay enables us to detect the activation and exocytosis of donor MVEC elicited by respective sera from mismatched kidney recipients.

Quality of life after liver transplantation

Liver transplantation (LT) enables rapid transition from critical illness and poor prognosis back to health. After LT, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) generally becomes comparable to that of the general population, although some deficits in mainly physical domains are frequent. However, recipients continue to have symptoms related to immunosuppression, complications, and other things, which impact HRQoL and the recipient's ability to regain independence and re-establish function in everyday life. Less than half of LT recipients return to work. Reportedly, HRQoL seems to deteriorate slightly over the long-term, but still remains satisfactory. Physical fatigue is common, but recent studies show that structured exercise programs improve both fatigue and HRQoL. Emerging evidence also suggests that continued patient information, structured psychosocial support systems, and caregiver involvement might further help improve long-term HRQoL. More research is needed to gain better understanding of the factors affecting long-term HRQoL, and how to best improve HRQoL.

Sport and Exercise in Improving Outcomes After Solid Organ Transplantation: Overview From a UK Meeting

Outcomes after solid organ transplantation continue to improve, but premature loss of life remains a major concern, with death from cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular disease accounting for around 20% late deaths. There are multiple contributory factors including preexisting, and the posttransplant development of, cardiometabolic conditions (such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and obesity). There is accumulating evidence that the regular engagement in exercise is an important factor affecting outcomes before, during, and after transplantation; yet most waitlist candidates and recipients have reduced levels of physical activity. The mechanisms whereby physical activity is associated with better outcomes and a reduction in risk factors for cardiovascular disease are incompletely understood. Attempts to increase physical activity in the transplant population, as in the general population, have had limited success. Use of concepts from Nudge theory provides an evidence-based approach that may help increase physical activity and so reduce premature mortality. Both National and International Transplant Games provide a vehicle for increasing physical activity in this population and may also help to reduce premature death by providing a forum for mutual support for recipients and their families as well as an excellent forum for highlighting the success and impact of organ donation.