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Nieuwenhuis LM, Li Y, Loza BL, Lambeck AJ, Hu S, Gacesa R, Voskuil MD, Hepkema BG, Jansen BH, Blokzijl H, Verkade HJ, van den Heuvel MC, TransplantLines Investigators, Asrani S, Testa G, Klintmalm G, Trotter J, Olthoff KM, Shaked A, Keating BJ, Weersma RK, Festen EA, de Meijer VE. Genome-wide meta-analysis associates donor-recipient non-HLA genetic mismatch with acute cellular rejection post-liver transplantation. Hepatol Commun 2025; 9:e0601. [PMID: 39670865 PMCID: PMC11637756 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 12/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute cellular rejection (ACR) remains a common complication causing significant morbidity post-liver transplantation. Non-human leukocyte antigen (non-HLA) mismatches were associated with an increased risk of ACR in kidney transplantation. Therefore, we hypothesized that donor-recipient non-HLA genetic mismatch is associated with increased ACR incidence post-liver transplantation. METHODS We conducted an international multicenter case-control genome-wide association study of donor-recipient liver transplant pairs in 3 independent cohorts, totaling 1846 pairs. To assess genetic mismatch burden, we calculated sum scores for single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mismatch based on all non-HLA functional SNPs, specifically SNPs coding for transmembrane or secreted proteins as they more likely affect the immune system. We analyzed the association between the non-HLA mismatch scores and ACR in a multivariable Cox regression model per cohort, followed by a weighted meta-analysis. RESULTS During the first year post-transplantation, 90 of 689 (13%), 161 of 720 (22%), and 48 of 437 (11%) recipients experienced ACR in cohorts 1-3, respectively. Weighted meta-analyses showed that higher mismatch in functional non-HLA SNPs was associated with an increased incidence of ACR (HR 5.99; 95% CI: 1.39-20.08; p=0.011). Moreover, we found a larger effect of mismatch in SNPs coding for transmembrane or secreted proteins on ACR (HR 7.54; 95% CI 1.95-28.79; p=0.003). Sensitivity analyses showed that imputed HLA mismatch did not affect the associations between both non-HLA mismatch scores and ACR. CONCLUSIONS Donor-recipient mismatch of functional non-HLA SNPs overall and, especially, of SNPs encoding transmembrane or secreted proteins correlated with 1-year ACR post-liver transplantation. Identifying high-risk immunological burdens between pairs may prevent early graft rejection and aid in personalizing immunosuppressive therapy. Future studies are, however, needed to validate our findings using a genotyped HLA cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianne M. Nieuwenhuis
- Department of Surgery, Section of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yanni Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bao-Li Loza
- Department of Surgery, Penn Transplant Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Annechien J.A. Lambeck
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Shixian Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ranko Gacesa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel D. Voskuil
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bouke G. Hepkema
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bernadien H. Jansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Blokzijl
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Verkade
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marius C. van den Heuvel
- Department of Pathology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Sumeet Asrani
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - James Trotter
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kim M. Olthoff
- Department of Surgery, Penn Transplant Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Abraham Shaked
- Department of Surgery, Penn Transplant Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brendan J. Keating
- Department of Surgery, Penn Transplant Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rinse K. Weersma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora A.M. Festen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent E. de Meijer
- Department of Surgery, Section of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Zhang X, Lichvar A, Chan C, Choi D. Evaluating the Incidence and Risk Factors for Acute Cellular Rejection in a Steroid Sparing Liver Transplant Center. Ann Pharmacother 2022; 57:553-559. [PMID: 36004388 DOI: 10.1177/10600280221120059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corticosteroids has been the mainstay of immunosuppression (IMS) following liver transplant (LT). With the advent of more potent IMS, complete steroid withdrawal has become possible after LT. However, there is limited data regarding the incidence and risk factors for acute cellular rejection (ACR) in LT recipients on steroid sparing regimens. OBJECTIVE To identify the incidence and risk factors of ACR in LT recipients at an urban LT center utilizing a steroid-sparing IMS regimen. METHODS This was a single center retrospective study evaluating incidence of ACR in adults (>18 years) who received a LT between 01/01/2008 and 6/30/2019 at a steroid-sparing liver transplant center. Data between patients who had ACR and patients who did not were compared and risk factors were identified by multivariate logistic linear regression. RESULTS A total of 266 patients were included in this analysis, of which 18.4% experienced ACR within the first year of LT. Median time to first ACR was 134 (interquartile range [IQR]: 34-246) days. Black race (odds ratio [OR]: 4.39, P < 0.001), continued need for prednisone (OR: 2.80, P = 0.015) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia (OR: 6.27, P < 0.001)) were independent risk factors for ACR. Tacrolimus use was associated with less ACR (OR: 0.33, P = 0.013). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Steroid sparing regimens for IMS post-LT were not associated with an increased incidence of ACR when compared to reported ACR rates in literature. Potential risk factors for ACR include Black race, the use of prednisone maintenance IMS therapy, and CMV viremia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunjie Zhang
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alicia Lichvar
- Center for Transplantation, University of California San Diego Health, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Christine Chan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David Choi
- Department of Pharmacy, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Kim DG, Kim SH, Hwang S, Hong SK, Ryu JH, Kim BW, You YK, Choi D, Kim DS, Nah YW, Cho JY, Kim TS, Hong G, Joo DJ, Kim MS, Kim JM, Lee JG, KOTRY Study Group. Safety of Tacrolimus Monotherapy within 12 Months after Liver Transplantation in the Era of Reduced Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate Mofetil: National Registry Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:2806. [PMID: 35628939 PMCID: PMC9145025 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11102806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tacrolimus monotherapy is accepted as a feasible option during early post-liver transplantation as per current international consensus guidelines. However, its effects in the recent era of reduced tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) remain unclear. Liver recipients who either received TAC monotherapy from the treatment onset or switched from TAC/MMF to TAC-mono within 12 months (TAC-mono group; n = 991) were chronologically matched to patients who continued to receive TAC/MMF (TAC/MMF group; n = 991) at the corresponding time points on time-conditional propensity scores. Outcomes within 12 months after matched time points were compared. Biopsy-proven rejection (TAC/MMF: 3.5% vs. TAC-mono: 2.6%; p = 0.381) and graft failure (0.2% vs. 0.7%; p = 0.082) were similar in both groups. However, the decline in eGFR was 3.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI: 0.8-5.3) greater at six months (p = 0.008) and 2.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI: -0.05-4.9) greater at 12 months (p = 0.048) after the matched time points in TAC-mono group than that in TAC/MMF group. TAC trough levels were also higher in the TAC-mono group throughout the study period. TAC-mono within 12 months after liver transplantation is immunologically safe. However, it can increase the required TAC dose and the decline in renal function than that in TAC/MMF combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deok Gie Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (D.G.K.); (D.J.J.); (M.S.K.)
| | - Sung Hwa Kim
- Department of Biostatistics, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Korea;
| | - Shin Hwang
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea;
| | - Suk Kyun Hong
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea;
| | - Je Ho Ryu
- Department of Surgery, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan 49241, Korea;
| | - Bong-Wan Kim
- Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea;
| | - Young Kyoung You
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea;
| | - Donglak Choi
- Department of Surgery, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu 42472, Korea;
| | - Dong-Sik Kim
- Department of Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea;
| | - Yang Won Nah
- Department of Surgery, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan 44033, Korea;
| | - Jai Young Cho
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Korea;
| | - Tae-Seok Kim
- Department of Surgery, Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu 42601, Korea;
| | - Geun Hong
- Department of Surgery, EWHA Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul 07804, Korea;
| | - Dong Jin Joo
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (D.G.K.); (D.J.J.); (M.S.K.)
| | - Myoung Soo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (D.G.K.); (D.J.J.); (M.S.K.)
| | - Jong Man Kim
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06531, Korea
| | - Jae Geun Lee
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (D.G.K.); (D.J.J.); (M.S.K.)
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