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Millán O, Ruiz P, Fortuna V, Navasa M, Brunet M. Nuclear factor of activated T cells as potential pharmacodynamic biomarker for the risk of acute and subclinical rejection in de novo liver recipients. Liver Int 2020; 40:931-946. [PMID: 31883422 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Nuclear factor of activated T cell-regulated gene expression (NFAT-RGE) has been proposed as a pharmacodynamic biomarker for tacrolimus (Tac) and cyclosporine (CsA). Our aim was to evaluate the role of NFAT-RGE in modulating intralymphocytary IL-2 and IFN-γ expression and its clinical utility as an early non-invasive predictive biomarker for the risk of acute rejection (AR) and infection in de novo liver transplant (LT) recipients. METHODS Fifty-six LT recipients treated with Tac or CsA [with and without mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)] were included: 30 free of rejection or infection, 11 rejectors (T cell-mediated acute rejection), 5 with subclinical rejection (SCR) and 10 with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Within the first 3 months after transplantation, NFAT-RGE of IL-2, IFN-γ and GM-CSF and intralymphocytary synthesis of IL-2 and IFN-γ were evaluated by real-time PCR and flow cytometry respectively. RESULTS A significant increase in NFAT-RGE was observed in patients who experienced TCMAR (75% [42-100%]) or SCR (41% [18-78%]) compared with patients without rejection or infection (14% [2-23%]). Positive correlations between the %NFAT-RGE-IFN and both the %CD8CD69IFN-γ and %CD4CD69IFN-γ and between the %NFAT-RGE-IL2 and the %CD8CD69IL2 were observed. NFAT-RGE was significantly lower in CMV+ patients than in non-infected patients. Finally, an inverse correlation between the Tac or CsA concentration and inhibition of NFAT-RGE were observed. CONCLUSIONS Sequential post-transplantation NFAT-RGE monitoring combined with intralymphocytary IL-2 and IFN-γ before transplantation and at the first and third month post-transplantation may be key predictive and diagnostic biomarkers for the risk of TCMAR and SCR and better guide CNi therapy in LT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Millán
- Biomedical Research Centre in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Ruiz
- Liver Transplant Unit, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Virginia Fortuna
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Navasa
- Biomedical Research Centre in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Liver Transplant Unit, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Brunet
- Biomedical Research Centre in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Bremer S, Vethe NT, Skauby M, Kasbo M, Johansson ED, Midtvedt K, Bergan S. NFAT-regulated cytokine gene expression during tacrolimus therapy early after renal transplantation. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2017; 83:2494-2502. [PMID: 28686294 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Despite pharmacokinetic monitoring of calcineurin inhibitors, the long-term outcome after transplantation (Tx) is still hampered by the side effects of these drugs. The aim of the present study was to characterize nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-regulated gene expression as a potential pharmacodynamic biomarker for further individualization of tacrolimus (Tac) therapy. METHODS In 29 renal allograft recipients, samples were drawn once pre-Tx, and before and 1.5 h after Tac dosing at approximately 1 week, 6 weeks and 1 year post-Tx. Tac concentrations were measured by immunoassay, while the expression of genes encoding NFAT-regulated cytokines [interleukin 2 (IL2), interferon gamma (IFNG), colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2)] and cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) genotyping were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The cytokine response after Tac dosing varied up to 46-fold between patients and changed significantly with time post-engraftment. Tac concentrations 1.5 h postdose (C1.5 ) >15 μg l-1 were associated with strong cytokine inhibition and residual gene expression (RGE) ≤10%, while lower Tac C1.5 resulted in more variable responses (RGE 2.5-68.7%). Patients with ongoing subclinical acute rejection (n = 5) demonstrated limited cytokine inhibition (RGE 39.7-72.6%), while patients with polyoma virus viraemia (n = 3) had relatively strong inhibition of cytokines (RGE 2.5-32.5%). By contrast, there was no association between Tac exposure and rejection or viraemia. CONCLUSIONS The findings of our study support the potential of NFAT-regulated gene expression measurements as a pharmacodynamic tool for additional monitoring of Tac therapy, especially in the context of overimmunosuppression and viraemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bremer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils T Vethe
- Deptartment of Pharmacology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten Skauby
- Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Margrete Kasbo
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elisabet D Johansson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karsten Midtvedt
- Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stein Bergan
- Deptartment of Pharmacology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells-Regulated Gene Expression as Predictive Biomarker of Personal Response to Calcineurin Inhibitors. Ther Drug Monit 2016; 38 Suppl 1:S50-6. [PMID: 26418701 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) represent the most widely used immunosuppressive agents in kidney transplantation. Both CNIs show a narrow therapeutic window; thus, monitoring is necessary to balance efficacy and toxicity. Several approaches have been undertaken to measure the biological effects of CNI-based immunosuppression. METHODS A quantitative analysis of gene expression was established to calculate the functional effects of calcineurin inhibition, the assessment of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-regulated gene expression. This assay is based on the quantitative analysis of interleukin-2, interferon-γ, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene expression in whole blood samples collected at the time cyclosporine A/tacrolimus troughs (C0) and 2 hours after oral uptake (C2). RESULTS In this comprehensive review, analytical aspects of the assay and also clinical benefits and limitations are presented and discussed. Several observational studies underline the beneficial effect of NFAT-regulated gene expression as biomarker of personal response on CNI therapy, especially in infectious complications, malignancies, and acute rejection episodes. Data are more comprehensive in cyclosporine A compared with tacrolimus therapy. However, results on prospective interventional studies are sparse. A randomized controlled study evaluating the opportunity for NFAT-guided immunosuppression is ongoing. CONCLUSIONS NFAT-regulated gene expression is a promising biomarker in CNI therapy concerning infectious complications, malignancies, and acute rejection. Prospective interventional studies and randomized controlled studies are ongoing to confirm the encouraging results.
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O.Millán, Brunet M. Cytokine-based immune monitoring. Clin Biochem 2016; 49:338-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Bergan S, Bremer S, Vethe NT. Drug target molecules to guide immunosuppression. Clin Biochem 2015; 49:411-8. [PMID: 26453533 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The individual and interindividual variability of response to immunosuppressants combined with the prevailing concept of lifelong immunosuppression following any organ transplantation motivates the search for methods to further individualize such therapy. Traditional therapeutic drug monitoring, adapting dose according to concentrations in blood, targets the pharmacokinetic variability. It has been increasingly recognized, however, that there is also a considerable variability in the response to a given concentration. Attempts to overcome this variability in response include the efforts to identify relevant targets and methods for pharmacodynamic monitoring. For several of the currently used immunosuppressants there is experimental data suggesting markers that are relevant as indicators for individual monitoring of the effects of these drugs. There are also some clinical data to support these approaches; however what is generally missing, are studies that in a prospective manner demonstrates the benefits and effects on outcome. The monitoring of antithymocyte globulin by lymphocyte subset counts is actually the only well established example of pharmacodynamic monitoring. For drugs such as MPA and mTOR inhibitors, there are candidates such as IMPDH activity expression and p70SK6 phosphorylation status, respectively. The monitoring of CNIs using assays for NFAT RGE, either alone or combined with concentration measurements, is already well documented. Even here, some further investigations relating to the categories of organ transplant, combination of immunosuppressants etc. will be requested. Although some further standardization of the assay is warranted and there is a need for specific recommendations of target levels and how to adjust dose, the NFAT RGE approach to pharmacodynamic monitoring of CNIs may be close to implementation in clinical routine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stein Bergan
- Oslo University Hospital, Department of Pharmacology, Oslo, Norway; University of Oslo, School of Pharmacy, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Sara Bremer
- Oslo University Hospital, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils Tore Vethe
- Oslo University Hospital, Department of Pharmacology, Oslo, Norway
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Roos K, Gotthardt D, Giese T, Schnitzler P, Stremmel W, Czock D, Eisenbach C. Pharmacodynamic monitoring of immunosuppressive effects indicates reduced cyclosporine activity during telaprevir therapy. Liver Transpl 2014; 20:1106-17. [PMID: 24890314 DOI: 10.1002/lt.23925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Drug interactions with immunosuppressive drugs are a major problem associated with protease inhibitor-based antiviral triple therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection after liver transplantation. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed biomarkers of the immunosuppressive effects of cyclosporine A (CSA) by quantifying nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-regulated gene expression during telaprevir (TVR) therapy in 5 liver transplant patients. Furthermore, dose adjustments and blood concentrations of CSA as well as the clinical course were analyzed. We observed a clear impact of TVR not only on doses and blood concentrations but also on the immunosuppressive effects of CSA. Despite apparently adequate CSA trough concentrations, the CSA peak concentration decreased to 68% (range = 44%-90%). This was associated with a 1.9-fold (1.6- to 4.1-fold) increase in the residual gene activity of NFAT-regulated genes, which indicated reduced immunosuppressive activity of CSA with TVR co-medication. The median dose of CSA was reduced to 25% (range = 16%-48%) and 31% (range = 22%-64%) after 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. The CSA drug clearance was reduced to 38.7% (range = 31.0%-49.4%). We report excellent antiviral efficacy. At the end of the observation period, all patients were HCV RNA-negative (1 patient at 18 weeks, 1 patient at 12 weeks, and 3 patients at 4 weeks after the end of therapy). Safety was acceptable, with mild acute rejection and reactivation of cytomegalovirus being the most serious adverse events. One patient with histologically proven recurrent cholestatic hepatitis before therapy underwent retransplantation during the course of antiviral therapy. In conclusion, the immunomonitoring of NFAT-regulated gene expression indicated reduced immunosuppressive activity of CSA during antiviral therapy with TVR in our cohort of liver transplant patients. Thus, the immunosuppressive effects of CSA may be overestimated if one is looking only at trough concentrations during co-medication with protease inhibitors or other strong cytochrome P450 3A inhibitors. Immunomonitoring of NFAT-regulated gene expression could, therefore, help to prevent overimmunosuppression or underimmunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Roos
- Departments of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Tremoulet AH, Pancoast P, Franco A, Bujold M, Shimizu C, Onouchi Y, Tamamoto A, Erdem G, Dodd D, Burns JC. Calcineurin inhibitor treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin-resistant Kawasaki disease. J Pediatr 2012; 161:506-512.e1. [PMID: 22484354 PMCID: PMC3613150 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2012.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2011] [Revised: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical course and outcome of 10 patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) treated with a calcineurin inhibitor after failing to respond to multiple therapies. STUDY DESIGN Demographic and clinical data were prospectively collected using standardized case report forms. T-cell phenotypes were determined by flow cytometry, and KD risk alleles in ITPKC (rs28493229), CASP3 (rs72689236), and FCGR2A (rs1801274) were genotyped. RESULTS Intravenous followed by oral therapy with cyclosporine (CSA) or oral tacrolimus was well tolerated and resulted in defervescence and resolution of inflammation in all 10 patients. There were no serious adverse events, and a standardized treatment protocol was developed based on our experiences with this patient population. Analysis of T-cell phenotype by flow cytometry in 2 subjects showed a decrease in circulating activated CD8(+) and CD4(+) T effector memory cells after treatment with CSA. However, suppression of regulatory T-cells was not seen, suggesting targeting of specific, proinflammatory T-cell compartments by CSA. CONCLUSION Treatment of refractory KD with a calcineurin inhibitor appears to be a safe and effective approach that achieves rapid control of inflammation associated with clinical improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana H Tremoulet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego and Rady Children's Hospital, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Calcineurin inhibitors and NFAT-regulated gene expression. Clin Chim Acta 2012; 413:1379-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2011.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Revised: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Billing H, Breil T, Schmidt J, Tönshoff B, Schmitt CP, Giese T, Engelmann G. Pharmacodynamic monitoring by residual NFAT-regulated gene expression in stable pediatric liver transplant recipients. Pediatr Transplant 2012; 16:187-94. [PMID: 22360403 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2012.01660.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacokinetic monitoring of CNI is unsatisfactory, because at comparable CNI blood concentrations frequency and severity of adverse effects vary considerably among individual patients. Determining the RGE of NFAT-regulated genes in leukocytes is a new pharmacodynamic approach to measure directly the functional consequences of calcineurin inhibition in T-lymphocytes. We compared clinical outcome parameters and RGE of activated T-cells after pLtx. We measured prospectively RGE of NFAT regulated genes in 33 pLTX recipients in the maintenance period after pLTX. CsA-treated patients with recurrent infections had significantly lower RGE rates (27%) than children without recurrent infections (50%; p = 0.04), whereas pharmacokinetic parameters of CsA and the concomitant immunosuppressive therapy were comparable between both groups. In patients on tacrolimus-based IS therapy NFAT RGE was only slightly reduced (90%). Pharmacodynamic monitoring of CsA by measurement of RGE in T-lymphocytes has the potential to identify over-immunosuppressed pediatric liver transplant recipients on a CsA-based IS therapy, while in children on low-dose tacrolimus therapy, RGE measurement does not provide additional clinically useful information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Billing
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children's Hospital Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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