1
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Fernando JJ, Biswas R, Biswas L. Non-invasive molecular biomarkers for monitoring solid organ transplantation: A comprehensive overview. Int J Immunogenet 2024; 51:47-62. [PMID: 38200592 DOI: 10.1111/iji.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Solid organ transplantation is a life-saving intervention for individuals with end-stage organ failure. Despite the effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy, the risk of graft rejection persists in all viable transplants between individuals. The risk of rejection may vary depending on the degree of compatibility between the donor and recipient for both human leucocyte antigen (HLA) and non-HLA gene-encoded products. Monitoring the status of the allograft is a critical aspect of post-transplant management, with invasive biopsies being the standard of care for detecting rejection. Non-invasive biomarkers are increasingly being recognized as valuable tools for aiding in the detection of graft rejection, monitoring graft status and evaluating the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy. Here, we focus on the importance of molecular biomarkers in solid organ transplantation and their potential role in clinical practice. Conventional molecular biomarkers used in transplantation include HLA typing, detection of anti-HLA antibodies, killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genotypes, and anti-MHC class 1-related chain A antibodies, which are important for assessing the compatibility of the donor and recipient. Emerging molecular biomarkers include the detection of donor-derived cell-free DNA, microRNAs (regulation of gene expression), exosomes (small vesicles secreted by cells), and kidney solid organ response test, in the recipient's blood for early signs of rejection. This review highlights the strengths and limitations of these molecular biomarkers and their potential role in improving transplant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffy J Fernando
- Amrita School of Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Raja Biswas
- Amrita School of Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Lalitha Biswas
- Amrita School of Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India
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2
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Cheung J, Zahorowska B, Suranyi M, Wong JKW, Diep J, Spicer ST, Verma ND, Hodgkinson SJ, Hall BM. CD4 +CD25 + T regulatory cells in renal transplantation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1017683. [PMID: 36426347 PMCID: PMC9681496 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1017683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune response to an allograft activates lymphocytes with the capacity to cause rejection. Activation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T regulatory cells (Treg) can down-regulate allograft rejection and can induce immune tolerance to the allograft. Treg represent <10% of peripheral CD4+T cells and do not markedly increase in tolerant hosts. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cells include both resting and activated Treg that can be distinguished by several markers, many of which are also expressed by effector T cells. More detailed characterization of Treg to identify increased activated antigen-specific Treg may allow reduction of non-specific immunosuppression. Natural thymus derived resting Treg (tTreg) are CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cells and only partially inhibit alloantigen presenting cell activation of effector cells. Cytokines produced by activated effector cells activate these tTreg to more potent alloantigen-activated Treg that may promote a state of operational tolerance. Activated Treg can be distinguished by several molecules they are induced to express, or whose expression they have suppressed. These include CD45RA/RO, cytokine receptors, chemokine receptors that alter pathways of migration and transcription factors, cytokines and suppression mediating molecules. As the total Treg population does not increase in operational tolerance, it is the activated Treg which may be the most informative to monitor. Here we review the methods used to monitor peripheral Treg, the effect of immunosuppressive regimens on Treg, and correlations with clinical outcomes such as graft survival and rejection. Experimental therapies involving ex vivo Treg expansion and administration in renal transplantation are not reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Cheung
- Renal Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Michael Suranyi
- Renal Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Jason Diep
- Renal Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen T. Spicer
- Renal Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nirupama D. Verma
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Immune Tolerance Laboratory, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Suzanne J. Hodgkinson
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Immune Tolerance Laboratory, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bruce M. Hall
- Renal Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Immune Tolerance Laboratory, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
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3
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Feyaerts D, Gillard J, van Cranenbroek B, Rigodanzo Marins L, Baghdady MMS, Comitini G, Lely AT, van Hamersvelt HW, van der Heijden OWH, Joosten I, van der Molen RG. Maternal, Decidual, and Neonatal Lymphocyte Composition Is Affected in Pregnant Kidney Transplant Recipients. Front Immunol 2021; 12:735564. [PMID: 34777345 PMCID: PMC8585145 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.735564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy after renal transplantation is associated with an increased risk of complications. While a delicately balanced uterine immune system is essential for a successful pregnancy, little is known about the uterine immune environment of pregnant kidney transplant recipients. Moreover, children born to kidney transplant recipients are exposed in utero to immunosuppressive drugs, with possible consequences for neonatal outcomes. Here, we defined the effects of kidney transplantation on the immune cell composition during pregnancy with a cohort of kidney transplant recipients as well as healthy controls with uncomplicated pregnancies. Maternal immune cells from peripheral blood were collected during pregnancy as well as from decidua and cord blood obtained after delivery. Multiparameter flow cytometry was used to identify and characterize populations of cells. While systemic immune cell frequencies were altered in kidney transplant patients, immune cell dynamics over the course of pregnancy were largely similar to healthy women. In the decidua of women with a kidney transplant, we observed a decreased frequency of HLA-DR+ Treg, particularly in those treated with tacrolimus versus those that were treated with azathioprine next to tacrolimus, or with azathioprine alone. In addition, both the innate and adaptive neonatal immune system of children born to kidney transplant recipients was significantly altered compared to neonates born from uncomplicated pregnancies. Overall, our findings indicate a significant and distinct impact on the maternal systemic, uterine, and neonatal immune cell composition in pregnant kidney transplant recipients, which could have important consequences for the incidence of pregnancy complications, treatment decisions, and the offspring's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Feyaerts
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Joshua Gillard
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Section Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Bram van Cranenbroek
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Lina Rigodanzo Marins
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Mariam M S Baghdady
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Gaia Comitini
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - A Titia Lely
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Irma Joosten
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Renate G van der Molen
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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4
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Fu Q, Liao M, Feng C, Tang J, Liao R, Wei L, Yang H, Markmann JF, Chen K, Deng S. Profiling of mRNA of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy with subclinical inflammation in recipients after kidney transplantation. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 11:5215-5231. [PMID: 31343413 PMCID: PMC6682514 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) with inflammation (IFTA-I) is strongly correlated with kidney allograft failure. Diagnosis of IFTA-I accurately and early is critical to prevent graft failure and improve graft survival. In the current study, through analyzing the renal allograft biopsy in patients with stable function after kidney transplantation (STA), IFTA and IFTA-I group with semi-supervised principal components methods, we found that CD2, IL7R, CCL5 based signature could not only distinguish STA and IFTA-I well, but predict IFTA-I with a high degree of accuracy with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 (P = 0.00023). Additionally, IRF8 demonstrated significant differences among STA, IFTA and IFTA-I groups, suggesting that IRF8 had the capacity to discriminate the different classifications of graft biopsies well. Also, with Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods, we found that IRF8 could serve as the prognostic marker for renal graft failure in those biopsies without rejection (AUC = 0.75) and the recipients expressing high had a higher risk for renal graft loss (P < 0.0001). This research may provide new targets for therapeutic prevention and intervention for post-transplantation IFTA with or with inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Fu
- Organ Transplantation Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital and School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,Transplant Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02148, USA.,Organ Transplantation Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - Minxue Liao
- Organ Transplantation Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital and School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,Organ Transplantation Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637100, Sichuan, China
| | - Cheng Feng
- Organ Transplantation Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jichao Tang
- Organ Transplantation Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Liao
- Organ Transplantation Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Wei
- Organ Transplantation Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital and School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,Organ Transplantation Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - Hongji Yang
- Organ Transplantation Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital and School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,Organ Transplantation Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637100, Sichuan, China.,Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - James F Markmann
- Transplant Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02148, USA
| | - Kai Chen
- Organ Transplantation Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital and School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,Organ Transplantation Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaoping Deng
- Organ Transplantation Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital and School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,Transplant Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02148, USA.,Organ Transplantation Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, China.,North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637100, Sichuan, China.,Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
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5
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Landwehr-Kenzel S, Zobel A, Hoffmann H, Landwehr N, Schmueck-Henneresse M, Schachtner T, Roemhild A, Reinke P. Ex vivo expanded natural regulatory T cells from patients with end-stage renal disease or kidney transplantation are useful for autologous cell therapy. Kidney Int 2018; 93:1452-1464. [PMID: 29792274 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2018.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Novel concepts employing autologous, ex vivo expanded natural regulatory T cells (nTreg) for adoptive transfer has potential to prevent organ rejection after kidney transplantation. However, the impact of dialysis and maintenance immunosuppression on the nTreg phenotype and peripheral survival is not well understood, but essential when assessing patient eligibility. The current study investigates regulatory T-cells in dialysis and kidney transplanted patients and the feasibility of generating a clinically useful nTreg product from these patients. Heparinized blood from 200 individuals including healthy controls, dialysis patients with end stage renal disease and patients 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 years after kidney transplantation were analyzed. Differentiation and maturation of nTregs were studied by flow cytometry in order to compare dialysis patients and kidney transplanted patients under maintenance immunosuppression to healthy controls. CD127 expressing CD4+CD25highFoxP3+ nTregs were detectable at increased frequencies in dialysis patients with no negative impact on the nTreg end product quality and therapeutic usefulness of the ex vivo expanded nTregs. Further, despite that immunosuppression mildly altered nTreg maturation, neither dialysis nor pharmacological immunosuppression or previous acute rejection episodes impeded nTreg survival in vivo. Accordingly, the generation of autologous, highly pure nTreg products is feasible and qualifies patients awaiting or having received allogenic kidney transplantation for adoptive nTreg therapy. Thus, our novel treatment approach may enable us to reduce the incidence of organ rejection and reduce the need of long-term immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sybille Landwehr-Kenzel
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pneumonology and Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Anne Zobel
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Renal and Transplant Research Unit, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henrike Hoffmann
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Niels Landwehr
- Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Potsdam, Germany; University of Potsdam, Department for Computer Science, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Michael Schmueck-Henneresse
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Renal and Transplant Research Unit, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Schachtner
- Renal and Transplant Research Unit, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andy Roemhild
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Petra Reinke
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Renal and Transplant Research Unit, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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6
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Muczynski KA, Leca N, Anderson AE, Kieran N, Anderson SK. Multicolor Flow Cytometry and Cytokine Analysis Provides Enhanced Information on Kidney Transplant Biopsies. Kidney Int Rep 2018; 3:956-969. [PMID: 29989006 PMCID: PMC6035131 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2018.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Current processing of renal biopsy samples provides limited information about immune mechanisms causing kidney injury and disease activity. We used flow cytometry with transplanted kidney biopsy samples to provide more information on the immune status of the kidney. Methods To enhance the information available from a biopsy, we developed a technique for reducing a fraction of a renal biopsy sample to single cells for multicolor flow cytometry and quantitation of secreted cytokines present within the biopsy sample. As proof of concept, we used our technique with transplant kidney biopsy samples to provide examples of clinically relevant immune information obtainable with cytometry. Results A ratio of CD8+ to CD4+ lymphocytes greater than or equal to 1.2 in transplanted allografts is associated with rejection, even before it is apparent by microscopy. Elevated numbers of CD45 leukocytes and higher levels of interleukin (IL)−6, IL-8, and IL-10 indicate more severe injury. Antibody binding to renal microvascular endothelial cells can be measured and corresponds to antibody-mediated forms of allograft rejection. Eculizumab binding to endothelial cells suggests complement activation, which may be independent of bound antibody. We compared intrarenal leukocyte subsets and activation states to those of peripheral blood from the same donor at the time of biopsy and found significant differences; thus the need for new techniques to evaluate immune responses within the kidney. Conclusion Assessment of leukocyte subsets, renal microvascular endothelial properties, and measurement of cytokines within a renal biopsy by flow cytometry enhance understanding of pathogenesis, indicate disease activity, and identify potential targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolae Leca
- Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Arthur E Anderson
- Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Niamh Kieran
- Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Susan K Anderson
- Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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7
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Khan MA. T regulatory cell mediated immunotherapy for solid organ transplantation: A clinical perspective. Mol Med 2017; 22:892-904. [PMID: 27878210 PMCID: PMC5319206 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2016.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
T regulatory cells (Tregs) play a vital role in suppressing heightened immune responses, and thereby promote a state of immunological tolerance. Tregs modulate both innate and adaptive immunity, which make them a potential candidate for cell-based immunotherapy to suppress uncontrolled activation of graft specific inflammatory cells and their toxic mediators. These grafts specific inflammatory cells (T effector cells) and other inflammatory mediators (Immunoglobulins, active complement mediators) are mainly responsible for graft vascular deterioration followed by acute/chronic rejection. Treg mediated immunotherapy is under investigation to induce allospecific tolerance in various ongoing clinical trials in organ transplant recipients. Treg immunotherapy is showing promising results but the key issues regarding Treg immunotherapy are not yet fully resolved including their mechanism of action, and specific Treg cell phenotype responsible for a state of tolerance. This review highlights the involvement of various subsets of Tregs during immune suppression, novelty of Tregs functions, effects on angiogenesis, emerging technologies for effective Treg expansion, plasticity and safety associated with clinical applications. Altogether this information will assist in designing single/combined Treg mediated therapies for successful clinical trials in solid organ transplantations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Afzal Khan
- Comparative Medicine Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 11211
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8
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Analytical Aspects of the Implementation of Biomarkers in Clinical Transplantation. Ther Drug Monit 2016; 38 Suppl 1:S80-92. [PMID: 26418704 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In response to the urgent need for new reliable biomarkers to complement the guidance of the immunosuppressive therapy, a huge number of biomarker candidates to be implemented in clinical practice have been introduced to the transplant community. This includes a diverse range of molecules with very different molecular weights, chemical and physical properties, ex vivo stabilities, in vivo kinetic behaviors, and levels of similarity to other molecules, etc. In addition, a large body of different analytical techniques and assay protocols can be used to measure biomarkers. Sometimes, a complex software-based data evaluation is a prerequisite for appropriate interpretation of the results and for their reporting. Although some analytical procedures are of great value for research purposes, they may be too complex for implementation in a clinical setting. Whereas the proof of "fitness for purpose" is appropriate for validation of biomarker assays used in exploratory drug development studies, a higher level of analytical validation must be achieved and eventually advanced analytical performance might be necessary before diagnostic application in transplantation medicine. A high level of consistency of results between laboratories and between methods (if applicable) should be obtained and maintained to make biomarkers effective instruments in support of therapeutic decisions. This overview focuses on preanalytical and analytical aspects to be considered for the implementation of new biomarkers for adjusting immunosuppression in a clinical setting and highlights critical points to be addressed on the way to make them suitable as diagnostic tools. These include but are not limited to appropriate method validation, standardization, education, automation, and commercialization.
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9
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Bestard O, Cravedi P. Monitoring alloimmune response in kidney transplantation. J Nephrol 2016; 30:187-200. [PMID: 27245689 DOI: 10.1007/s40620-016-0320-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Currently, immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant recipients is generally performed by protocols and adjusted according to functional or histological evaluation of the allograft and/or signs of drug toxicity or infection. As a result, a large fraction of patients are likely to receive too much or too little immunosuppression, exposing them to higher rates of infection, malignancy and drug toxicity, or increased risk of acute and chronic graft injury from rejection, respectively. Developing reliable biomarkers is crucial for individualizing therapy aimed at extending allograft survival. Emerging data indicate that many assays, likely used in panels rather than single assays, have potential to be diagnostic and predictive of short and also long-term outcome. While numerous cross-sectional studies have found associations between the results of these assays and the presence of clinically relevant post-transplantation outcomes, data from prospective studies are still scanty, thereby preventing widespread implementation in the clinic. Of note, some prospective, randomized, multicenter biomarker-driven studies are currently on-going aiming at confirming such preliminary data. These works as well as other future studies are highly warranted to test the hypothesis that tailoring immunosuppression on the basis of results offered by these biomarkers leads to better outcomes than current standard clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Bestard
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Nephrology Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona University, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paolo Cravedi
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, Annenberg Building, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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10
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Fadel FI, Elghoroury EA, Elshamaa MF, Bazaraa HM, Salah DM, Kassem NMA, Ibrahim MH, El-Saaid GS, Nasr SA, Koura HM. Lymphocyte Activation Markers in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE : IJBS 2015; 11:121-30. [PMID: 26508906 PMCID: PMC4614012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The role of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) in immune tolerance in experimental transplantation is very important but the clinical significance of circulating Tregs in the peripheral blood is undetermined. We evaluated the association between the frequency of T cell activation markers CD25 and CD71 and clinical parameters that may affect the level of these T cell markers. METHODS In 47peditric kidney transplant (KT) recipients and 20 healthy controls, the frequency of T cell activation markers, CD25 and CD71 was measured with flow cytometry after transplantation. Two clinical protocols of induction immunosuppression were used: (1) anti-thymocyte globulin (THYMO) group (n =29) and Basiliximab (BSX) group (n=10). RESULTS The percentage of circulating CD25 after KT was significantly lower than that in the controls. There is no significant difference between KT and the controls s regard to circulating CD71. The percentage of CD25 was significantly increased in children with acute rejection compared with those without acute rejection. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) decreased the frequency of CD25 but mammalian target rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor did not. The proportion of CD25 significantly decreased in THYMO group during the first year after transplantation. CONCLUSION The frequency of circulating T cell activation marker CD25 in pediatric KT recipients is strongly affected by CNIs, and a high frequency of CD25 is associated with acute rejection during the early posttransplant period. The measurement of T cell activation markers, may become a useful immune monitoring tool after kidney transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatina I. Fadel
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman A. Elghoroury
- Department of Clinical & Chemical Pathology, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Hafez M. Bazaraa
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Doaa M. Salah
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Mona H. Ibrahim
- Department of Clinical & Chemical Pathology, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Gamila S. El-Saaid
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Soha A. Nasr
- Department of Clinical & Chemical Pathology, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hala M. Koura
- Department of Pediatric, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
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11
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12
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Mehrotra A, Leventhal J, Purroy C, Cravedi P. Monitoring T cell alloreactivity. Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2014; 29:53-9. [PMID: 25475045 DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Revised: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Currently, immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant recipients is center-specific, protocol-driven, and adjusted according to functional or histological evaluation of the allograft and/or signs of drug toxicity or infection. As a result, a large fraction of patients receive too much or too little immunosuppression, exposing them to higher rates of infection, malignancy and drug toxicity, or increased risk of acute and chronic graft injury from rejection, respectively. The individualization of immunosuppression requires the development of assays able to reliably quantify and/or predict the magnitude of the recipient's immune response toward the allograft. As alloreactive T cells are central mediators of allograft rejection, monitoring T cell alloreactivity has become a priority for the transplant community. Among available assays, flow cytometry based phenotyping, T cell proliferation, T cell cytokine secretion, and ATP release (ImmuKnow), have been the most thoroughly tested. While numerous cross-sectional studies have found associations between the results of these assays and the presence of clinically relevant post-transplantation outcomes, data from prospective studies are still scanty, thereby preventing widespread implementation in the clinic. Future studies are required to test the hypothesis that tailoring immunosuppression on the basis of results offered by these biomarkers leads to better outcomes than current standard clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Mehrotra
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA
| | - Jeremy Leventhal
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA
| | - Carolina Purroy
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA
| | - Paolo Cravedi
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA.
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The effects of rapamycin on regulatory T cells: Its potential time-dependent role in inducing transplant tolerance. Immunol Lett 2014; 162:74-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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14
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B cells display an abnormal distribution and an impaired suppressive function in patients with chronic antibody-mediated rejection. Kidney Int 2013; 85:590-9. [PMID: 24284517 DOI: 10.1038/ki.2013.457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In kidney transplantation, the composition of the B-cell compartment is increasingly identified as an important determinant for graft outcome. Whereas naive and transitional B cells have been associated with long-term allograft survival and operational tolerance, memory B cells have been linked to graft rejection and graft loss. Chronic antibody-mediated rejection now represents a major complication in transplantation and is a challenge in current therapeutics. Here, we show that patients with chronic antibody-mediated rejection display a unique B-cell phenotype with a reduced ratio of activated to memory B cells associated with an impaired immunosuppressive activity. The regulatory functions of the B cells depended on their maturation status. Thus, phenotypic and functional analyses of the B-cell compartment may be indicated for appropriate follow-up after transplantation and drive therapy in the establishment of transplant tolerance processes.
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15
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Immunologic monitoring in kidney transplant recipients. Kidney Res Clin Pract 2013; 32:52-61. [PMID: 26877913 PMCID: PMC4713911 DOI: 10.1016/j.krcp.2013.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplant biopsy has always been the gold standard for assessing the immune response to a kidney allograft (Chandraker A: Diagnostic techniques in the work-up of renal allograft dysfunction-an update. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 8:723-728, 1999). A biopsy is not without risk and is unable to predict rejection and is only diagnostic once rejection has already occurred. However, in the past two decades, we have seen an expansion in assays that can potentially put an end to the "drug level" era, which until now has been one of the few tools available to clinicians for monitoring the immune response. A better understanding of the mechanisms of rejection and tolerance, and technological advances has led to the development of new noninvasive methods to monitor the immune response. In this article, we discuss these new methods and their potential uses in renal transplant recipients.
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van de Berg PJEJ, Hoevenaars EC, Yong SL, van Donselaar-van der Pant KAMI, van Tellingen A, Florquin S, van Lier RAW, Bemelman FJ, ten Berge IJM. Circulating lymphocyte subsets in different clinical situations after renal transplantation. Immunology 2012; 136:198-207. [PMID: 22321054 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2012.03570.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic characterization of T and B lymphocytes allows the discrimination of functionally different subsets. Here, we questioned whether changes in peripheral lymphocyte subset distribution reflect specific clinical and histopathological entities after renal transplantation. Sixty-five renal transplant recipients with either histologically proven (sub)clinical acute rejection or chronic allograft dysfunction, or without abnormalities were studied for their peripheral lymphocyte subset composition and compared with 15 healthy control individuals. Naive, memory and effector CD8(+) T-cell counts were measured by staining for CD27, CD28 and CD45RO/RA. In addition, we studied the CD25(+) CD4(+) T-cell population for its composition regarding regulatory Foxp3(+) CD45RO(+) CD127(-) cells and activated CD45RO(+) CD127(+) cells. Naive, non-switched and switched memory B cells were defined by staining for IgD and CD27. We found a severe decrease in circulating effector-type CD8(+) T cells in recipients with chronic allograft dysfunction at 5 years after transplantation. Percentages of circulating CD25(+) CD127(low) CD4(+) regulatory T cells after transplantation were reduced, but we could not detect any change in the percentage of CD127(+) CD45RO(+) CD4(+) activated T cells in patients at any time or condition after renal transplantation. Regardless of clinical events, all renal transplant recipients showed decreased total B-cell counts and a more differentiated circulating B-cell pool than healthy individuals. The changes in lymphocyte subset distribution probably reflect the chronic antigenic stimulation that occurs in these transplant recipients. To determine the usefulness of lymphocyte subset-typing in clinical practice, large cohort studies are necessary.
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