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Jiang D, Ma X, Zhang X, Cheng B, Wang R, Liu Y, Zhang X. New techniques: a roadmap for the development of HCC immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1121162. [PMID: 37426674 PMCID: PMC10323423 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The absence of effective early diagnostic methods and the limitations of conventional therapies have led to a growing interest in immunotherapy as a novel treatment approach for HCC. The liver serves as an immune organ and a recipient of antigens from the digestive tract, creating a distinctive immune microenvironment. Key immune cells, including Kupffer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, play a crucial role in HCC development, thus offering ample research opportunities for HCC immunotherapy. The emergence of advanced technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and single-cell ribonucleic acid sequencing has introduced new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment of HCC. These advancements have not only propelled the progress of HCC immunotherapy based on existing studies but have also generated new ideas for clinical research on HCC therapy. Furthermore, this review analysed and summarised the combination of current therapies for HCC and the improvement of CRISPR technology for chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, instilling renewed hope for HCC treatment. This review comprehensively explores the advancements in immunotherapy for HCC, focusing on the use of new techniques.
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2
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McCaughan GW, Bowen DG, Bertolino PJ. Induction Phase of Spontaneous Liver Transplant Tolerance. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1908. [PMID: 33013840 PMCID: PMC7516030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver has long been known to possess tolerogenic properties. Early experiments in liver transplantation demonstrated that in animal models, hepatic allografts could be accepted across MHC-mismatch without the use of immunosuppression, and that transplantation of livers from the same donor was capable of inducing tolerance to other solid organs that would normally otherwise be rejected. Although this phenomenon is less pronounced in human liver transplantation, lower levels of immunosuppression are nevertheless required for graft acceptance than for other solid organs, and in a minority of individuals immunosuppression can be discontinued in the longer term. The mechanisms underlying this unique hepatic property have not yet been fully delineated, however it is clear that immunological events in the early period post-liver transplant are key to generation of hepatic allograft tolerance. Both the hepatic parenchyma and the large number of donor passenger leukocytes contained within the liver allograft have been demonstrated to contribute to the generation of donor-specific tolerance in the early post-transplant phase. In particular, the unique nature of hepatic-leukocyte interactions appears to play a crucial role in the ability of the liver to silence the recipient alloimmune response. In this review, we will summarize the evidence regarding the potential mechanisms that mediate the critical early phase in the generation of hepatic allograft tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey W McCaughan
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David G Bowen
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Liver Immunology Program, The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Patrick J Bertolino
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Liver Immunology Program, The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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3
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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: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [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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4
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Why some organ allografts are tolerated better than others: new insights for an old question. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2020; 24:49-57. [PMID: 30516578 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is great variability in how different organ allografts respond to the same tolerance induction protocol. Well known examples of this phenomenon include the protolerogenic nature of kidney and liver allografts as opposed to the tolerance-resistance of heart and lung allografts. This suggests there are organ-specific factors which differentially drive the immune response following transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS The specific cells or cell products that make one organ allograft more likely to be accepted off immunosuppression than another are largely unknown. However, new insights have been made in this area recently. SUMMARY The current review will focus on the organ-intrinsic factors that contribute to the organ-specific differences observed in tolerance induction with a view to developing therapeutic strategies to better prevent organ rejection and promote tolerance induction of all organs.
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5
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Chan-On C, Liberto JM, Sarwal MM. Mechanisms and biomarkers of immune quiescence in kidney transplantation. Hum Immunol 2018; 79:356-361. [PMID: 29408630 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2018.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses the current understanding of biomarkers of immune quiescence based on reviews of published literature in kidney transplant operational tolerance and mechanistic studies based on a better characterization of the stable, well-functioning renal allograft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitranon Chan-On
- Division of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Juliane M Liberto
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Minnie M Sarwal
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.
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6
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Behnam Sani K, Sawitzki B. Immune monitoring as prerequisite for transplantation tolerance trials. Clin Exp Immunol 2017; 189:158-170. [PMID: 28518214 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ever since its first application in clinical medicine, scientists have been urged to induce tolerance towards foreign allogeneic transplants and thus avoid rejection by the recipient's immune system. This would circumvent chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs (IS) and thus avoid development of IS-induced side effects, which are contributing to the still unsatisfactory long-term graft and patient survival after solid organ transplantation. Although manifold strategies of tolerance induction have been described in preclinical models, only three therapeutic approaches have been utilized successfully in a still small number of patients. These approaches are based on (i) IS withdrawal in spontaneous operational tolerant (SOT) patients, (ii) induction of a mixed chimerism and (iii) adoptive transfer of regulatory cells. Results of clinical trials utilizing these approaches show that tolerance induction does not work in all patients. Thus, there is a need for reliable biomarkers, which can be used for patient selection and post-therapeutic immune monitoring of safety, success and failure. In this review, we summarize recent achievements in the identification and validation of such immunological assays and biomarkers, focusing mainly on kidney and liver transplantation. From the published findings so far, it has become clear that indicative biomarkers may vary between different therapeutic approaches applied and organs transplanted. Also, patient numbers studied so far are very small. This is the main reason why nearly all described parameters lack validation and reproducibility testing in large clinical trials, and are therefore not yet suitable for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Behnam Sani
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - B Sawitzki
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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7
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Hepatic stroma-educated regulatory DCs suppress CD8 + T cell proliferation in mice. Oncotarget 2017; 8:93414-93425. [PMID: 29212160 PMCID: PMC5706806 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver dendritic cells (DCs) display immunosuppressive activities and inhibit the CD4+ T cell response. The present study assessed whether and how liver DCs suppress CD8+ T cells. We found that bone marrow-derived mature DCs incubated with liver stromal cells were characterized by a longer life span, reduced CD11c, IA/IE, CD80, CD86, and CD40 expression, and increased CD11b expression. These unique liver stromal cell-educated mature DCs (LSed-DCs) stimulated CD8+ T cells to express CD25 and CD69, but inhibited their proliferation. CD8+ T cell suppression depended on soluble factors released by LSed-DCs, but not cell-cell contact. Compared with mature DCs, LSed-DCs produced more nitric oxide and IL-10. Addition of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, PBIT, but not an IL-10-blocking mAb, reversed LSed-DC inhibition of CD8+ T cell proliferation. We also found that LSed-DCs reduced CD8+ T cell-mediated liver damage in a mouse model of autoimmune hepatitis. These results demonstrate that the liver stroma induces mature DCs to differentiate into regulatory DCs that suppress CD8+ T cell proliferation, and thus contribute to liver tolerance.
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8
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da Silva MB, da Cunha FF, Terra FF, Camara NOS. Old game, new players: Linking classical theories to new trends in transplant immunology. World J Transplant 2017; 7:1-25. [PMID: 28280691 PMCID: PMC5324024 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v7.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary emergence of an efficient immune system has a fundamental role in our survival against pathogenic attacks. Nevertheless, this same protective mechanism may also establish a negative consequence in the setting of disorders such as autoimmunity and transplant rejection. In light of the latter, although research has long uncovered main concepts of allogeneic recognition, immune rejection is still the main obstacle to long-term graft survival. Therefore, in order to define effective therapies that prolong graft viability, it is essential that we understand the underlying mediators and mechanisms that participate in transplant rejection. This multifaceted process is characterized by diverse cellular and humoral participants with innate and adaptive functions that can determine the type of rejection or promote graft acceptance. Although a number of mediators of graft recognition have been described in traditional immunology, recent studies indicate that defining rigid roles for certain immune cells and factors may be more complicated than originally conceived. Current research has also targeted specific cells and drugs that regulate immune activation and induce tolerance. This review will give a broad view of the most recent understanding of the allogeneic inflammatory/tolerogenic response and current insights into cellular and drug therapies that modulate immune activation that may prove to be useful in the induction of tolerance in the clinical setting.
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9
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The CD8 T-cell response during tolerance induction in liver transplantation. Clin Transl Immunology 2016; 5:e102. [PMID: 27867515 PMCID: PMC5099425 DOI: 10.1038/cti.2016.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Both experimental and clinical studies have shown that the liver possesses unique tolerogenic properties. Liver allografts can be spontaneously accepted across complete major histocompatibility mismatch in some animal models. In addition, some liver transplant patients can be successfully withdrawn from immunosuppressive medications, developing ‘operational tolerance'. Multiple mechanisms have been shown to be involved in inducing and maintaining alloimmune tolerance associated with liver transplantation. Here, we focus on CD8 T-cell tolerance in this setting. We first discuss how alloreactive cytotoxic T-cell responses are generated against allografts, before reviewing how the liver parenchyma, donor passenger leucocytes and the host immune system function together to attenuate alloreactive CD8 T-cell responses to promote the long-term survival of liver transplants.
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10
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11
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Sawitzki B. Liver Transplant Patients With Operational Tolerance: What Can the Graft Itself Tell Us? Am J Transplant 2016; 16:1049-50. [PMID: 26604079 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.13619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- B Sawitzki
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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12
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Taubert R, Danger R, Londoño MC, Christakoudi S, Martinez-Picola M, Rimola A, Manns MP, Sánchez-Fueyo A, Jaeckel E. Hepatic Infiltrates in Operational Tolerant Patients After Liver Transplantation Show Enrichment of Regulatory T Cells Before Proinflammatory Genes Are Downregulated. Am J Transplant 2016; 16:1285-93. [PMID: 26603835 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.13617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Immunosuppression can be discontinued from selected and stable patients after liver transplantation resulting in spontaneous operational tolerance (SOT), although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Thus, we analyzed serial liver biopsy specimens from adult liver recipients enrolled in a prospective multicenter immunosuppression withdrawal trial that used immunophenotyping and transcriptional profiling. Liver specimens were collected before the initiation of weaning, at the time of rejection, or at 1 and 3 years after complete drug discontinuation. Unexpectedly, the tolerated grafts developed portal tract expansion with increased T cell infiltration after immunosuppression withdrawal. This was associated with transient and preferential accumulation of CD4(+) FOXP3(+) cells and a trend toward upregulation of immune activation and regulatory genes, without signs of rejection. At the same time, no markers of endothelial damage or activation were noted. Portal infiltrates persisted at 3 years but were characterized by decreased expression of genes associated with chronic immunological damage. Further, SOT was not associated with a progressive liver fibrosis up to 5 years. These data suggest that SOT involves several mechanisms: a long-lasting local immune cell persistence with a transient regulatory T cells accumulation followed by a downregulation of immune-activated genes over years. These results have important implications for designs and follow-up of weaning trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Taubert
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation (IFB-Tx), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - R Danger
- Institute of Liver Studies, Liver Sciences Department, MRC Centre for Transplantation, School of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London University, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - M-C Londoño
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Christakoudi
- Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Experimental Immunobiology, MRC Centre for Transplantation, King's College London, London, UK
| | - M Martinez-Picola
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Rimola
- Institute of Liver Studies, Liver Sciences Department, MRC Centre for Transplantation, School of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London University, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - M P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - A Sánchez-Fueyo
- Institute of Liver Studies, Liver Sciences Department, MRC Centre for Transplantation, School of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London University, King's College Hospital, London, UK.,Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Jaeckel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation (IFB-Tx), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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13
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW When it comes to tolerance induction, kidney allografts behave differently from heart allografts that behave differently from lung allografts. Here, we examine how and why different organ allografts respond differently to the same tolerance induction protocol. RECENT FINDINGS Allograft tolerance has been achieved in experimental and clinical kidney transplantation. Inducing tolerance in experimental recipients of heart and lung allografts has, however, proven to be more challenging. New protocols being developed in nonhuman primates based on mixed chimerism and cotransplantation of tolerogenic organs may provide mechanistic insights to help overcome these challenges. SUMMARY Tolerance induction protocols that are successful in patients transplanted with 'tolerance-prone' organs such as kidneys and livers will most likely not succeed in recipients of 'tolerance-resistant' organs such as hearts and lungs. Separate clinical trials using more robust tolerance protocols will be required to achieve tolerance in heart and lung recipients.
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14
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van Baren N, Van den Eynde BJ. Tumoral Immune Resistance Mediated by Enzymes That Degrade Tryptophan. Cancer Immunol Res 2015; 3:978-85. [PMID: 26269528 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-15-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer patients mount T-lymphocyte responses against antigens expressed selectively by their malignancy, but these responses often fail to control their disease, because tumors select mechanisms that allow them to resist immune destruction. Among the numerous resistance mechanisms that have been proposed, metabolic inhibition of T cells by tryptophan catabolism deserves particular attention, because of the frequent expression of tryptophan-degrading enzymes in human tumors, and because in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that their enzymatic activity can be readily blocked by pharmacologic inhibitors, thereby restoring T-cell-mediated tumor cell killing and paving the way to targeted therapeutic intervention. In view of recent observations, and taking into account the differences between human and mouse data that differ in several aspects, in this Cancer Immunology at the Crossroads article, we discuss the role of the three enzymes that have been proposed to control tryptophan catabolism in tumoral immune resistance: indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas van Baren
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels, Belgium. de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benoît J Van den Eynde
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels, Belgium. WELBIO (Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology), Brussels, Belgium. de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
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15
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Adams DH, Sanchez-Fueyo A, Samuel D. From immunosuppression to tolerance. J Hepatol 2015; 62:S170-85. [PMID: 25920086 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The past three decades have seen liver transplantation becoming a major therapeutic approach in the management of end-stage liver diseases. This is due to the dramatic improvement in survival after liver transplantation as a consequence of the improvement of surgical and anaesthetic techniques, of post-transplant medico-surgical management and of prevention of disease recurrence and other post-transplant complications. Improved use of post-transplant immunosuppression to prevent acute and chronic rejection is a major factor in these improved results. The liver has been shown to be more tolerogenic than other organs, and matching of donor and recipients is mainly limited to ABO blood group compatibility. However, long-term immunosuppression is required to avoid severe acute and chronic rejection and graft loss. With the current immunosuppression protocols, the risk of acute rejection requiring additional therapy is 10-40% and the risk of chronic rejection is below 5%. However, the development of histological lesions in the graft in long-term survivors suggest atypical forms of graft rejection may develop as a consequence of under-immunosuppression. The backbone of immunosuppression remains calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) mostly in association with steroids in the short-term and mycophenolate mofetil or mTOR inhibitors (everolimus). The occurrence of post-transplant complications related to the immunosuppressive therapy has led to the development of new protocols aimed at protecting renal function and preventing the development of de novo cancer and of dysmetabolic syndrome. However, there is no new class of immunosuppressive drugs in the pipeline able to replace current protocols in the near future. The aim of a full immune tolerance of the graft is rarely achieved since only 20% of selected patients can be weaned successfully off immunosuppression. In the future, immunosuppression will probably be more case oriented aiming to protect the graft from rejection and at reducing the risk of disease recurrence and complications related to immunosuppressive therapy. Such approaches will include strategies aiming to promote stable long-term immunological tolerance of the liver graft.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Adams
- Centre for Liver Research and NIHR Biomedical Research Unit in Liver Disease, University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston Birmingham B152TT, United Kingdom
| | - Alberto Sanchez-Fueyo
- Institute of Liver Studies, MRC Centre for Transplantation, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Didier Samuel
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul-Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire; Inserm, Research Unit 1193; Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif F-94800, France.
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16
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Liu YY, Li CP, Huai MS, Fu XM, Cui Z, Fan LL, Zhang S, Liu Y, Ma J, Li G, Shen ZY. Comprehensive comparison of three different immunosuppressive regimens for liver transplant patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: steroid-free immunosuppression, induction immunosuppression and standard immunosuppression. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120939. [PMID: 25816221 PMCID: PMC4376790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The different choices of immunosuppression (IS) regimens influenced the outcomes of liver transplantation. Steroid was applied as a standard IS to prevent and treat rejections. However, steroid-related complications were increasingly prominent. This study compared the efficacy and safety of standard IS regimens with the efficacy and safety of steroid-free IS regimen and induction IS regimen in Chinese liver transplantation recipients for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 329 patients who underwent liver transplantation from January 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Three different groups of patients received standard triple-drug IS regimen of steroid, tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (triple-drug regimen group; n=57), induction-contained IS regimen of basiliximab, steroid, TAC and MMF (BS group; n=241), and induction-contained and steroid-free regimen of basiliximab, TAC and MMF (SF group; n=31), respectively. There were no significant differences in terms of patient, tumor-free and graft survival rates. The acute rejection rate and rejection time were equivalent in different groups. But compared with BS group, higher incidences of biliary complications (11.52% vs. 30.77%, p=0.013) and graft dysfunction (0.48% vs. 13.64%, p=0.003) were observed in SF group. Furthermore, compared with the two groups, incidence of pleural effusion was also higher in SF group (15.79%, 11.96% vs. 45.45%, respectively, both p<0.01). And a trend towards less proportion of De novo diabetes was revealed in SF group. Although it was found that patient, tumor-free and graft survival rates were equivalent among three IS regimens, higher incidences of complications were demonstrated in steroid-free regimen in patients for HCC. These findings suggested that steroid-free IS regimen has no clear advantages in comparison with standard IS regimens for liver transplant recipients with HCC and the postoperative complications should be treated with concentrated attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Liu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi-Xiang-Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Chang-Ping Li
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi-Xiang-Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Ming-Sheng Huai
- Department of Transplantation, Tianjin First Center Hospital, 24 Fu-Kang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Xiao-Meng Fu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi-Xiang-Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Zhuang Cui
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi-Xiang-Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Lin-Lin Fan
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi-Xiang-Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi-Xiang-Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Follow-up Center, Department of Transplantation, Tianjin First Center Hospital, 24 Fu-Kang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi-Xiang-Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Guang Li
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi-Xiang-Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Zhong-Yang Shen
- Department of Transplantation, Tianjin First Center Hospital, 24 Fu-Kang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192, China
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17
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Yoshida O, Dou L, Kimura S, Yokota S, Isse K, Robson SC, Geller DA, Thomson AW. CD39 deficiency in murine liver allografts promotes inflammatory injury and immune-mediated rejection. Transpl Immunol 2015; 32:76-83. [PMID: 25661084 PMCID: PMC4368493 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an essential metabolic energy source, is released following cell apoptosis or necrosis. It acts as a damage-associated molecule pattern to stimulate innate immune cells. The ectonucleotidase CD39 regulates immune activation by hydrolysis of extracellular ATP. We have shown previously that CD39 expression by donor livers helps protect syngeneic grafts with extended (24 hr) cold preservation time from ischemia reperfusion injury. Given its immune regulatory properties, we hypothesized that CD39 expression in donor livers might modulate transplant tolerance that occurs following mouse allogeneic liver transplantation (LTx). Livers from C57BL/6 (B6) wild-type (WT) or CD39 KO mice were transplanted into normal C3H recipients with minimal (approximately 1 hr) cold ischemia. Serum alanine aminotransferase levels at day 4 post LTx were significantly higher in animals given CD39KO compared with WT livers. Moreover, IFN-γ production by liver-infiltrating CD8+ T cells at day 4 was significantly higher in CD39KO than in WT grafts. Furthermore, splenic T cells from CD39KO liver recipients exhibited greater proliferative responses to donor alloantigens than those from mice given WT grafts. By contrast, there was a concomitant significant reduction in the frequency of regulatory T cells (Treg) in CD39KO than in WT livers. Whereas WT liver allografts survived > 100 days, no CD39KO grafts survived beyond 40 days (median survival time [MST]: WT: >100 days vs CD39KO: 8 days; p<0.01). In addition, soluble CD39 administration significantly prolonged CD39KO liver allograft survival (MST: 27.5 days). These novel data suggest that CD39 expression in liver allografts modulates tissue injury, inflammation, anti-donor effector T cell responses and Treg infiltration and can suppress transplant rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Yoshida
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Lei Dou
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Shoko Kimura
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Shinichiro Yokota
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Kumiko Isse
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Simon C Robson
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David A Geller
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Liver Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Angus W Thomson
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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van Baren N, Van den Eynde BJ. Tryptophan-degrading enzymes in tumoral immune resistance. Front Immunol 2015; 6:34. [PMID: 25691885 PMCID: PMC4315104 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan is required for T lymphocyte effector functions. Its degradation is one of the mechanisms selected by tumors to resist immune destruction. Two enzymes, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, control tryptophan degradation through the kynurenine pathway. A third protein, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2, was identified more recently. All three enzymes were reported to be expressed in tumors, and are candidate targets for pharmacological inhibition aimed at restoring effective anti-tumoral immunity. In this review, we compare these three enzymes in terms of structure, activity, regulation, and expression in healthy and cancerous tissues, in order to appreciate their relevance to tumoral immune resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas van Baren
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology (WELBIO), Brussels, Belgium
- de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benoît J. Van den Eynde
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology (WELBIO), Brussels, Belgium
- de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Kamran Hejazi Kenari S, Mirzakhani H, Saidi RF. Pediatric transplantation and tolerance: past, present, and future. Pediatr Transplant 2014; 18:435-45. [PMID: 24931282 DOI: 10.1111/petr.12301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Solid organ transplantation is the treatment of choice in children with end-stage organ failure. With improving methods of transplant surgery and post-transplant care, transplantation is more frequently performed worldwide. However, lifelong and non-specific suppression of the recipient's immune system is a cause of significant morbidity in children, including infection, diabetes, and cancer. There is a great need to develop IS minimization/withdrawal and tolerance induction approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Kamran Hejazi Kenari
- Division of Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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20
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Yu X, Wei B, Dai Y, Zhang M, Wu J, Xu X, Jiang G, Zheng S, Zhou L. Genetic polymorphism of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) correlates with allograft acute rejection of liver transplantation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94426. [PMID: 24788560 PMCID: PMC4005731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although liver transplantation is one of the most efficient curative therapies of end stage liver diseases, recipients may suffer liver graft loss opst-operation. IRF-5, a member of Interferon Regulatory Factors, functions as a key regulator in TLR4 cascade, and is capable of inducing inflammatory cytokines. Although TLR4 has been proved to contribute to acute allograft rejection, including after liver transplantation, the correlation between IRF5 gene and acute rejection has not been elucidated yet. METHODS The study enrolled a total of 289 recipients, including 39 females and 250 males, and 39 recipients developed acute allograft rejection within 6 months post-transplantation. The allograft rejections were diagnosed by liver biopsies. Genome DNA of recipients was extracted from pre-operative peripheral blood. Genotyping of IRF-5, including rs3757385, rs752637 and rs11761199, was performed, followed by SNP frequency and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analysis. RESULTS The genetic polymorphism of rs3757385 was found associated with acute rejection. G/G homozygous individuals were at higher risk of acute rejection, with a P value of 0.042 (OR = 2.34 (1.07-5.10)). CONCLUSIONS IRF5, which transcriptionally activates inflammatory cytokines, is genetically associated with acute rejection and might function as a risk factor for acute rejection of liver transplantations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Yu
- Key Lab of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bajin Wei
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yifan Dai
- Key Lab of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guoping Jiang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Key Lab of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- * E-mail:
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21
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Current strategies for immunosuppression following liver transplantation. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2014; 399:981-8. [PMID: 24748543 DOI: 10.1007/s00423-014-1191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New strategies for immunosuppression (IS) after liver transplantation (LTx) are in part responsible for the increased patient and graft survival seen over time. With a few basic exceptions-notably the continued use of steroids and calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs)-IS drugs and regimens being used today are different from those used 30 years ago. While graft loss due to acute or chronic rejection has become rare, the side effect burden of IS drugs exerts a significant toll on patients. CONCEPTS/TRENDS CNIs continue to form the backbone of IS regimens, although their use is hampered by nephrotoxicity and other adverse effects. Consequently, a variety of CNI reduction or withdrawal strategies have formed the basis of clinical trials or entered into clinical practice. These trials have included the use of everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, and anti-interleukin-2 receptor antibodies. Basiliximab, as well as other lymphocyte nondepleting and depleting agents, have shown benefit in induction regimens. SUMMARY Along with steroid reduction or elimination, current strategies for IS after LTx continue to explore novel combinations of agents, with an aim toward striking a balance between diminution of rejection and the need for avoiding adverse effects of the IS drugs. Long-term maintenance strategies are also discussed in this review, as is development of tolerance and antibody-mediated rejection.
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22
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Cunningham EC, Sharland AF, Bishop GA. Liver transplant tolerance and its application to the clinic: can we exploit the high dose effect? Clin Dev Immunol 2013; 2013:419692. [PMID: 24307909 PMCID: PMC3836300 DOI: 10.1155/2013/419692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The tolerogenic properties of the liver have long been recognised, especially in regard to transplantation. Spontaneous acceptance of liver grafts occurs in a number of experimental models and also in a proportion of clinical transplant recipients. Liver graft acceptance results from donor antigen-specific tolerance, demonstrated by the extension of tolerance to other grafts of donor origin. A number of factors have been proposed to be involved in liver transplant tolerance induction, including the release of soluble major histocompatibility (MHC) molecules from the liver, its complement of immunosuppressive donor leucocytes, and the ability of hepatocytes to directly interact with and destroy antigen-specific T cells. The large tissue mass of the liver has also been suggested to act as a cytokine sink, with the potential to exhaust the immune response. In this review, we outline the growing body of evidence, from experimental models and clinical transplantation, which supports a role for large tissue mass and high antigen dose in the induction of tolerance. We also discuss a novel gene therapy approach to exploit this dose effect and induce antigen-specific tolerance robust enough to overcome a primed T cell memory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eithne C. Cunningham
- Collaborative Transplantation Research Group, Bosch Institute, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alexandra F. Sharland
- Collaborative Transplantation Research Group, Bosch Institute, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - G. Alex Bishop
- Collaborative Transplantation Research Group, Bosch Institute, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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23
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Shin M, Song S, Moon H, Lee S, Kim T, Kim J, Park J, Kwon C, Kim SJ, Lee SK, Joh JW. Characteristics of Recipients Who Achieved Spontaneous Operational Tolerance in Adult Liver Transplantation. Transplant Proc 2013; 45:3024-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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24
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McCaughan GW, Bowen DG, Bertolino P. Operational tolerance in liver transplantation: shall we predict or promote? Liver Transpl 2013; 19:933-6. [PMID: 23913809 DOI: 10.1002/lt.23719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey W McCaughan
- A. W. Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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