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Stampf S, Mueller NJ, van Delden C, Pascual M, Manuel O, Banz V, Binet I, De Geest S, Bochud PY, Leichtle A, Schaub S, Steiger J, Koller M. Cohort profile: The Swiss Transplant Cohort Study (STCS): A nationwide longitudinal cohort study of all solid organ recipients in Switzerland. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e051176. [PMID: 34911712 PMCID: PMC8679072 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The Swiss Transplant Cohort Study (STCS) is a prospective multicentre cohort study which started to actively enrol study participants in May 2008. It takes advantage of combining data from all transplant programmes in one unique system to perform comprehensive nationwide reporting and to promote translational and clinical post-transplant outcome research in the framework of Swiss transplantation medicine. PARTICIPANTS Over 5500 solid organ transplant recipients have been enrolled in all six Swiss transplant centres by end of 2019, around three-quarter of them for kidney and liver transplants. Ninety-three per cent of all transplanted recipients have consented to study participation, almost all of them (99%) contributed to bio-sampling. The STCS genomic data set includes around 3000 patients. FINDINGS TO DATE Detailed clinical and laboratory data in high granularity as well as patient-reported outcomes from transplant recipients and activities in Switzerland are available in the last decade. Interdisciplinary contributions in diverse fields of transplantation medicine such as infectious diseases, genomics, oncology, immunology and psychosocial science have resulted in approximately 70 scientific papers getting published in peer-review journals so far. FUTURE PLANS The STCS will deepen its efforts in personalised medicine and digital epidemiology, and will also focus on allocation research and the use of causal inference methods to make complex matters in transplant medicine more understandable and transparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Stampf
- Clinic for Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas J Mueller
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian van Delden
- Transplant Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospitals Geneva and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Pascual
- Transplantation Center, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Oriol Manuel
- Transplantation Center, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Service of Infectious Diseases, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa Banz
- Department for Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern and Bern University, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Binet
- Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Kantonsspital St Gallen, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Sabina De Geest
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Yves Bochud
- Service of Infectious Diseases, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Leichtle
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, University Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Schaub
- Clinic for Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Steiger
- Clinic for Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Koller
- Clinic for Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Dębska-Zielkowska J, Moszkowska G, Zieliński M, Zielińska H, Dukat-Mazurek A, Trzonkowski P, Stefańska K. KIR Receptors as Key Regulators of NK Cells Activity in Health and Disease. Cells 2021; 10:1777. [PMID: 34359951 PMCID: PMC8303609 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the cellular immune response. They target mainly cancer and virally infected cells. To a high extent cytotoxic activity of NK cells is regulated inter alia by signals from killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules are important ligands for KIR receptors. Binding of ligands (such as MHC I) to the KIR receptors has the important role in solid organ or hematopoietic cell transplantation. Of note, the understanding of the relationship between KIR and MHC receptors may contribute to the improvement of transplant results. Donor-recipient matching, which also includes the KIR typing, may improve monitoring, individualize the treatment and allow for predicting possible effects after transplantation, such as the graft-versus-leukemia effect (GvL) or viral re-infection. There are also less evident implications of KIR/MHC matching, such as with pregnancy and cancer. In this review, we present the most relevant literature reports on the importance of the KIR/MHC relationship on NK cell activity and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)/solid organ transplantation (SOT) effects, the risk of allograft rejection, protection against post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, pregnancy complications, cancer and adoptive therapy with NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Dębska-Zielkowska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Grażyna Moszkowska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Maciej Zieliński
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Hanna Zielińska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Anna Dukat-Mazurek
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Piotr Trzonkowski
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (G.M.); (M.Z.); (H.Z.); (A.D.-M.); (P.T.)
| | - Katarzyna Stefańska
- Department of Obstetrics, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland;
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Duygu B, Olieslagers TI, Groeneweg M, Voorter CEM, Wieten L. HLA Class I Molecules as Immune Checkpoints for NK Cell Alloreactivity and Anti-Viral Immunity in Kidney Transplantation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:680480. [PMID: 34295330 PMCID: PMC8290519 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.680480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that can kill diseased- or virally-infected cells, mediate antibody dependent cytotoxicity and produce type I immune-associated cytokines upon activation. NK cells also contribute to the allo-immune response upon kidney transplantation either by promoting allograft rejection through lysis of cells of the transplanted organ or by promoting alloreactive T cells. In addition, they protect against viral infections upon transplantation which may be especially relevant in patients receiving high dose immune suppression. NK cell activation is tightly regulated through the integrated balance of signaling via inhibitory- and activating receptors. HLA class I molecules are critical regulators of NK cell activation through the interaction with inhibitory- as well as activating NK cell receptors, hence, HLA molecules act as critical immune checkpoints for NK cells. In the current review, we evaluate how NK cell alloreactivity and anti-viral immunity are regulated by NK cell receptors belonging to the KIR family and interacting with classical HLA class I molecules, or by NKG2A/C and LILRB1/KIR2DL4 engaging non-classical HLA-E or -G. In addition, we provide an overview of the methods to determine genetic variation in these receptors and their HLA ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Duygu
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Timo I Olieslagers
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Mathijs Groeneweg
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Christina E M Voorter
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Lotte Wieten
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Burek Kamenaric M, Ivkovic V, Kovacevic Vojtusek I, Zunec R. The Role of HLA and KIR Immunogenetics in BK Virus Infection after Kidney Transplantation. Viruses 2020; 12:v12121417. [PMID: 33317205 PMCID: PMC7763146 DOI: 10.3390/v12121417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BK virus (BKV) is a polyomavirus with high seroprevalence in the general population with an unremarkable clinical presentation in healthy people, but a potential for causing serious complications in immunosuppressed transplanted patients. Reactivation or primary infection in kidney allograft recipients may lead to allograft dysfunction and subsequent loss. Currently, there is no widely accepted specific treatment for BKV infection and reduction of immunosuppressive therapy is the mainstay therapy. Given this and the sequential appearance of viruria-viremia-nephropathy, screening and early detection are of utmost importance. There are numerous risk factors associated with BKV infection including genetic factors, among them human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) alleles have been shown to be the strongest so far. Identification of patients at risk for BKV infection would be useful in prevention or early action to reduce morbidity and progression to frank nephropathy. Assessment of risk involving HLA ligands and KIR genotyping of recipients in the pre-transplant or early post-transplant period might be useful in clinical practice. This review summarizes current knowledge of the association between HLA, KIR and BKV infection and potential future directions of research, which might lead to optimal utilization of these genetic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Burek Kamenaric
- Tissue Typing Center, Clinical Department of Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Vanja Ivkovic
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.I.); (I.K.V.)
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, 51 000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ivana Kovacevic Vojtusek
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.I.); (I.K.V.)
| | - Renata Zunec
- Tissue Typing Center, Clinical Department of Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence:
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López-Botet M, Vilches C, Redondo-Pachón D, Muntasell A, Pupuleku A, Yélamos J, Pascual J, Crespo M. Dual Role of Natural Killer Cells on Graft Rejection and Control of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Renal Transplantation. Front Immunol 2017; 8:166. [PMID: 28261220 PMCID: PMC5311043 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Allograft rejection constitutes a major complication of solid organ transplantation requiring prophylactic/therapeutic immunosuppression, which increases susceptibility of patients to infections and cancer. Beyond the pivotal role of alloantigen-specific T cells and antibodies in the pathogenesis of rejection, natural killer (NK) cells may display alloreactive potential in case of mismatch between recipient inhibitory killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and graft HLA class I molecules. Several studies have addressed the impact of this variable in kidney transplant with conflicting conclusions; yet, increasing evidence supports that alloantibody-mediated NK cell activation via FcγRIIIA (CD16) contributes to rejection. On the other hand, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection constitutes a risk factor directly associated with the rate of graft loss and reduced host survival. The levels of HCMV-specific CD8+ T cells have been reported to predict the risk of posttransplant infection, and KIR-B haplotypes containing activating KIR genes have been related with protection. HCMV infection promotes to a variable extent an adaptive differentiation and expansion of a subset of mature NK cells, which display the CD94/NKG2C-activating receptor. Evidence supporting that adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells may contribute to control the viral infection in kidney transplant recipients has been recently obtained. The dual role of NK cells in the interrelation of HCMV infection with rejection deserves attention. Further phenotypic, functional, and genetic analyses of NK cells may provide additional insights on the pathogenesis of solid organ transplant complications, leading to the development of biomarkers with potential clinical value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel López-Botet
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Immunology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Univ. Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Vilches
- Immunogenetics-Histocompatibility, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro , Majadahonda , Spain
| | - Dolores Redondo-Pachón
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aura Muntasell
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM) , Barcelona , Spain
| | | | - José Yélamos
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Immunology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Pascual
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Crespo
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
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