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Ettenger RB, Seifert ME, Blydt-Hansen T, Briscoe DM, Holman J, Weng PL, Srivastava R, Fleming J, Malekzadeh M, Pearl M. Detection of Subclinical Rejection in Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: Current and Future Practices. Pediatr Transplant 2024; 28:e14836. [PMID: 39147695 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The successes in the field of pediatric kidney transplantation over the past 60 years have been extraordinary. Year over year, there have been significant improvements in short-term graft survival. However, improvements in longer-term outcomes have been much less apparent. One important contributor has been the phenomenon of low-level rejection in the absence of clinical manifestations-so-called subclinical rejection (SCR). METHODS Traditionally, rejection has been diagnosed by changes in clinical parameters, including but not limited to serum creatinine and proteinuria. This review examines the shortcomings of this approach, the effects of SCR on kidney allograft outcome, the benefits and drawbacks of surveillance biopsies to identify SCR, and new urine and blood biomarkers that define the presence or absence of SCR. RESULTS Serum creatinine is an unreliable index of SCR. Surveillance biopsies are the method most utilized to detect SCR. However, these have significant drawbacks. New biomarkers show promise. These biomarkers include blood gene expression profiles and donor derived-cell free DNA; urine gene expression profiles; urinary cytokines, chemokines, and metabolomics; and other promising blood and urine tests. CONCLUSION Specific emphasis is placed on studies carried out in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03719339.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B Ettenger
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Michael E Seifert
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Tom Blydt-Hansen
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David M Briscoe
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John Holman
- Transplant Genomics Inc., Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patricia L Weng
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rachana Srivastava
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - James Fleming
- Transplant Genomics Inc., Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mohammed Malekzadeh
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Meghan Pearl
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Koshy P, Furian L, Nickerson P, Zaza G, Haller M, de Vries APJ, Naesens M. European Survey on Clinical Practice of Detecting and Treating T-Cell Mediated Kidney Transplant Rejection. Transpl Int 2024; 37:12283. [PMID: 38699173 PMCID: PMC11063346 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2024.12283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The KDIGO guideline for acute rejection treatment recommends use of corticosteroids and suggests using lymphocyte-depleting agents as second line treatment. Aim of the study was to determine the current practices of detection and treatment of TCMR of kidney allografts amongst European kidney transplant centres. An invitation was sent through ESOT/EKITA newsletters and through social media to transplant professionals in Europe for taking part in the survey. A total of 129 transplant professionals responded to the survey. There was equal representation of small and large sized transplant centres. The majority of centres treat borderline changes (BL) and TCMR (Grade IA-B, IIA-B) in indication biopsies and protocol biopsies with corticosteroids as first line treatment. Thymoglobulin is used mainly as second line treatment for TCMR Grade IA-B (80%) and TCMR IIA-B (85%). Treatment success is most often evaluated within one month of therapy. There were no differences observed between the large and small centres for the management of TCMR. This survey highlights the common practices and diversity in clinics for the management of TCMR in Europe. Testing new therapies for TCMR should be in comparison to the current standard of care in Europe. Better consensus on treatment success is crucial for robust study designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Koshy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lucrezia Furian
- Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgical Gastroenterological and Oncological Sciences, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Peter Nickerson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Gianluigi Zaza
- Renal, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Haller
- Section for Clinical Biometrics, Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems (CeMSIIS), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Nephrology, Ordensklinikum Linz, Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Aiko P. J. de Vries
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Leiden Transplant Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maarten Naesens
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Harmacek D, Weidmann L, Castrezana Lopez K, Schmid N, Korach R, Bortel N, von Moos S, Rho E, Helmchen B, Gaspert A, Schachtner T. Molecular diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection: Evaluating biopsy-based transcript diagnostics in the presence of donor-specific antibodies but without microvascular inflammation, a single-center descriptive analysis. Am J Transplant 2024:S1600-6135(24)00244-2. [PMID: 38548057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2024.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Biopsy-based transcript diagnostics may identify molecular antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) when microvascular inflammation (MVI) is absent. In this single-center cohort, biopsy-based transcript diagnostics were validated in 326 kidney allograft biopsies. A total of 71 histological AMR and 35 T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) cases were identified as molecular AMR and TCMR in 55% and 63%, respectively. Among 121 cases without MVI (glomerulitis + peritubular capillaritis = 0), 45 (37%) donor-specific antibody (DSA)-positive and 76 (63%) DSA-negative cases were analyzed. Twenty-one out of the 121 (17%) cases showed borderline changes, or TCMR, while BK nephropathy was excluded. None of the 45 DSA-positive patients showed molecular AMR. Among 76 DSA-negative patients, 2 had mixed molecular AMR/TCMR. All-AMR phenotype scores (sum of R4-R6) exhibited median values of 0.13 and 0.12 for DSA-positive and DSA-negative patients, respectively (P = .84). A total of 13% (6/45) DSA-positive and 11% (8/76) DSA-negative patients showed an all-AMR phenotype score > 0.30 (P = .77). Patients with a higher all-AMR phenotype score showed 33% more histologic TCMR (P = .005). The median all-AMR phenotype scores of glomerular basement membrane double contours = 0 and glomerular basement membrane double contours > 0 biopsies were 0.12 and 0.10, respectively (P = .35). Biopsy-based transcript diagnostics did not identify molecular AMR in cases without MVI. Follow-up biopsies and outcome data should evaluate the clinical relevance of subthreshold molecular alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dusan Harmacek
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Weidmann
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Nicolas Schmid
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Raphael Korach
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Bortel
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Seraina von Moos
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Rho
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Birgit Helmchen
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ariana Gaspert
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Schachtner
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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4
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Koo BJ, Huh H, Ye BM, Kim Y, Choi BH, Lee HJ, Kang MS, Lee DW, Lee SB, Kim YH, Kim IY, Kim T, Kim SR. Impact of nonspecific allograft biopsy findings in symptomatic kidney transplant recipients. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4002. [PMID: 38369626 PMCID: PMC10874932 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54596-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
A for-cause biopsy is performed to diagnose the cause of allograft dysfunction in kidney transplantation. We occasionally encounter ambiguous biopsy results in symptomatic kidney transplant recipients. Yet, the allograft survival outcome in symptomatic recipients with nonspecific allograft biopsy findings remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of nonspecific for-cause biopsy findings in symptomatic kidney transplant recipients. We retrospectively collected records from 773 kidney transplant recipients between January 2008 and October 2021. The characteristics of transplant recipients with nonspecific findings in the first for-cause biopsy were analyzed. Nonspecific allograft biopsy findings were defined as other biopsy findings excluding rejection, borderline rejection, calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, infection, glomerulonephritis, and diabetic nephropathy. The graft outcome was compared between recipients who had never undergone a for-cause biopsy and those who had a first for-cause biopsy with nonspecific findings. The graft survival in recipients with nonspecific for-cause biopsy findings was comparable to that in recipients who did not require the for-cause biopsy before and after propensity score matching. Even in symptomatic kidney transplant recipients, nonspecific allograft biopsy findings might not be a poor prognostic factor for allograft survival compared to recipients who did not require the for-cause biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bon Jin Koo
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Hyuk Huh
- Department of Internal Medicine-Nephrology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, South Korea
| | - Byung Min Ye
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Yunmi Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine-Nephrology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, South Korea
| | - Byung Hyun Choi
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea
- Department of Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Hyun Jeong Lee
- Department of Pathology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Mi Seon Kang
- Department of Pathology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, South Korea
| | - Dong Won Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Soo Bong Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Yeong Hoon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine-Nephrology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, South Korea
| | - Il Young Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Taehee Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine-Nephrology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, South Korea
| | - Seo Rin Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea.
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea.
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5
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Rodrigo E, Quintana LF, Vázquez-Sánchez T, Sánchez-Fructuoso A, Buxeda A, Gavela E, Cazorla JM, Cabello S, Beneyto I, López-Oliva MO, Diekmann F, Gómez-Ortega JM, Calvo Romero N, Pérez-Sáez MJ, Sancho A, Mazuecos A, Espí-Reig J, Jiménez C, Hernández D. Tubulo-interstitial inflammation increases the risk of graft loss after the recurrence of IgA nephropathy. Clin Kidney J 2024; 17:sfad259. [PMID: 38186867 PMCID: PMC10768752 DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfad259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most frequent recurrent disease in kidney transplant recipients and its recurrence contributes to reducing graft survival. Several variables at the time of recurrence have been associated with a higher risk of graft loss. The presence of clinical or subclinical inflammation has been associated with a higher risk of kidney graft loss, but it is not precisely known how it influences the outcome of patients with recurrent IgAN. Methods We performed a multicentre retrospective study including kidney transplant recipients with biopsy-proven recurrence of IgAN in which Banff and Oxford classification scores were available. 'Tubulo-interstitial inflammation' (TII) was defined when 't' or 'i' were ≥2. The main endpoint was progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 or to death censored-graft loss (CKD5/DCGL). Results A total of 119 kidney transplant recipients with IgAN recurrence were included and 23 of them showed TII. Median follow-up was 102.9 months and 39 (32.8%) patients reached CKD5/DCGL. TII related to a higher risk of CKD5/DCGL (3 years 18.0% vs 45.3%, log-rank 7.588, P = .006). After multivariate analysis, TII remained related to the risk of CKD5/DCGL (HR 2.344, 95% CI 1.119-4.910, P = .024) independently of other histologic and clinical variables. Conclusions In kidney transplant recipients with IgAN recurrence, TII contributes to increasing the risk of CKD5/DCGL independently of previously well-known variables. We suggest adding TII along with the Oxford classification to the clinical variables to identify recurrent IgAN patients at increased risk of graft loss who might benefit from intensified immunosuppression or specific IgAN therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Rodrigo
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla/IDIVAL, Santander, SpainRD21/0005/0010 (ISCIII RICORS2040)
| | - Luis F Quintana
- Nephrology and Renal Transplantation Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Vázquez-Sánchez
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, Málaga, SpainRD21/0005/0010 (ISCIII RICORS2040)
| | - Ana Sánchez-Fructuoso
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Facultad de Medicina Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Buxeda
- Nephrology Department, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Gavela
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitari Dr Peset, FISABIO, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan M Cazorla
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Sheila Cabello
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Mallorca, Spain
| | - Isabel Beneyto
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Fritz Diekmann
- Nephrology and Renal Transplantation Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José M Gómez-Ortega
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla/IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Natividad Calvo Romero
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Facultad de Medicina Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Asunción Sancho
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitari Dr Peset, FISABIO, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Jordi Espí-Reig
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Jiménez
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Domingo Hernández
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, Málaga, SpainRD21/0005/0010 (ISCIII RICORS2040)
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6
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Sarwal MM, Naesens M. Urine trumps the protocol biopsy for subclinical rejection surveillance. Kidney Int 2023; 104:432-439. [PMID: 37599018 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Minnie M Sarwal
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
| | - Maarten Naesens
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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7
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Jiménez-Coll V, El Kaaoui El Band J, Llorente S, González-López R, Fernández-González M, Martínez-Banaclocha H, Galián JA, Botella C, Moya-Quiles MR, Minguela A, Legaz I, Muro M. All That Glitters in cfDNA Analysis Is Not Gold or Its Utility Is Completely Established Due to Graft Damage: A Critical Review in the Field of Transplantation. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:1982. [PMID: 37370877 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13121982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In kidney transplantation, a biopsy is currently the gold standard for monitoring the transplanted organ. However, this is far from an ideal screening method given its invasive nature and the discomfort it can cause the patient. Large-scale studies in renal transplantation show that approximately 1% of biopsies generate major complications, with a risk of macroscopic hematuria greater than 3.5%. It would not be until 2011 that a method to detect donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) employing digital PCR was devised based on analyzing the differences in SNPs between the donor and recipient. In addition, since the initial validation studies were carried out at the specific moments in which rejection was suspected, there is still not a good understanding of how dd-cfDNA levels naturally evolve post-transplant. In addition, various factors, both in the recipient and the donor, can influence dd-cfDNA levels and cause increases in the levels of dd-cfDNA themselves without suspicion of rejection. All that glitters in this technology is not gold; therefore, in this article, we discuss the current state of clinical studies, the benefits, and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Jiménez-Coll
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Jaouad El Kaaoui El Band
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Santiago Llorente
- Nephrology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Rosana González-López
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Marina Fernández-González
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Helios Martínez-Banaclocha
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - José Antonio Galián
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Carmen Botella
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - María Rosa Moya-Quiles
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Alfredo Minguela
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Isabel Legaz
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), Faculty of Medicine, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Muro
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
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8
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Danger R, Le Berre L, Cadoux M, Kerleau C, Papuchon E, Mai HL, Nguyen TVH, Guérif P, Morelon E, Thaunat O, Legendre C, Anglicheau D, Lefaucheur C, Couzi L, Del Bello A, Kamar N, Le Quintrec M, Goutaudier V, Renaudin K, Giral M, Brouard S. Subclinical rejection-free diagnostic after kidney transplantation using blood gene expression. Kidney Int 2023; 103:1167-1179. [PMID: 36990211 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
We previously established a six-gene-based blood score associated with operational tolerance in kidney transplantation which was decreased in patients developing anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies (DSA). Herein, we aimed to confirm that this score is associated with immunological events and risk of rejection. We measured this using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and NanoString methods from an independent multicenter cohort of 588 kidney transplant recipients with paired blood samples and biopsies at one year after transplantation validating its association with pre-existing and de novo DSA. From 441 patients with protocol biopsy, there was a significant decrease of the score of tolerance in 45 patients with biopsy-proven subclinical rejection (SCR), a major threat associated with pejorative allograft outcomes that prompted an SCR score refinement. This refinement used only two genes, AKR1C3 and TCL1A, and four clinical parameters (previous experience of rejection, previous transplantation, sex of recipient and tacrolimus uptake). This refined SCR score was able to identify patients unlikely to develop SCR with a C-statistic of 0.864 and a negative predictive value of 98.3%. The SCR score was validated in an external laboratory, with two methods (qPCR and NanoString), and on 447 patients from an independent and multicenter cohort. Moreover, this score allowed reclassifying patients with discrepancies between the DSA presence and the histological diagnosis of antibody mediated rejection unlike kidney function. Thus, our refined SCR score could improve detection of SCR for closer and noninvasive monitoring, allowing early treatment of SCR lesions notably for patients DSA-positive and during lowering of immunosuppressive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Danger
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France.
| | - Ludmilla Le Berre
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Marion Cadoux
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Clarisse Kerleau
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Emmanuelle Papuchon
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France; Centre d'Investigation Clinique en Biothérapie, Centre de Ressources Biologiques (CRB), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Hoa Le Mai
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Thi-Van-Ha Nguyen
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Pierrick Guérif
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Emmanuel Morelon
- Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, INSERM Unit 1111, Lyon-Est Medical Faculty, Claude Bernard University (Lyon 1), Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Thaunat
- Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, INSERM Unit 1111, Lyon-Est Medical Faculty, Claude Bernard University (Lyon 1), Lyon, France
| | - Christophe Legendre
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Necker Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Necker-Enfants Malades Institute, INSERM, Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Dany Anglicheau
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Necker Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Necker-Enfants Malades Institute, INSERM, Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Carmen Lefaucheur
- Paris Translational Research Center for Organ Transplantation, INSERM UMR S970, Université Paris Cité, Kidney Transplant Department, Saint Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Lionel Couzi
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation, Dialysis, and Apheresis, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Arnaud Del Bello
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, INSERM UMR1291 - Université Toulouse III, Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (Infinity), Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Nassim Kamar
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, INSERM UMR1291 - Université Toulouse III, Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (Infinity), Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Moglie Le Quintrec
- Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Renal Transplantation, University Hospital of Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France
| | - Valentin Goutaudier
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Necker Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Necker-Enfants Malades Institute, INSERM, Paris University, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, INSERM U970, Paris Institute for Transplantation and Organ Regeneration, Paris, France
| | - Karine Renaudin
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France; CHU Nantes, Service d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, Nantes, France
| | - Magali Giral
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France; Centre d'Investigation Clinique en Biothérapie, Centre de Ressources Biologiques (CRB), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France; LabEx IGO "Immunotherapy, Graft, Oncology", Nantes Université, Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Brouard
- CHU Nantes, Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France; Centre d'Investigation Clinique en Biothérapie, Centre de Ressources Biologiques (CRB), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France; LabEx IGO "Immunotherapy, Graft, Oncology", Nantes Université, Nantes, France.
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9
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Harrington C, Krishnan S, Mack CL, Cravedi P, Assis DN, Levitsky J. Noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and management of autoimmune hepatitis. Hepatology 2022; 76:1862-1879. [PMID: 35611859 PMCID: PMC9796683 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare disease of unclear etiology characterized by loss of self-tolerance that can lead to liver injury, cirrhosis, and acute liver failure. First-line treatment consists of systemic corticosteroids, or budesonide, and azathioprine, to which most patients are initially responsive, although predictors of response are lacking. Relapses are very common, correlate with histological activity despite normal serum transaminases, and increase hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, current regimens lead to adverse effects and reduced quality of life, whereas medication titration is imprecise. Biomarkers that can predict the clinical course of disease, identify patients at elevated risk for relapse, and improve monitoring and medication dosing beyond current practice would have high clinical value. Herein, we review novel candidate biomarkers in adult and pediatric AIH based on prespecified criteria, including gene expression profiles, proteins, metabolites, and immune cell phenotypes in different stages of AIH. We also discuss biomarkers relevant to AIH from other immune diseases. We conclude with proposed future directions in which biomarker implementation into clinical practice could lead to advances in personalized therapeutic management of AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Harrington
- Division of Gastroenterology & HepatologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Swathi Krishnan
- Medicine DepartmentYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Cara L. Mack
- Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Children's Hospital ColoradoUniversity of Colorado School of MedicineAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Paolo Cravedi
- Division of NephrologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - David N. Assis
- Section of Digestive DiseasesYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Josh Levitsky
- Division of Gastroenterology & HepatologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
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10
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Hernández D, Vázquez-Sánchez T, Sola E, Lopez V, Ruiz-Esteban P, Caballero A, Salido E, Leon M, Rodriguez A, Serra N, Rodriguez C, Facundo C, Perello M, Silva I, Marrero-Miranda D, Cidraque I, Moreso F, Guirado L, Serón D, Torres A. Treatment of early borderline lesions in low immunological risk kidney transplant patients: a Spanish multicenter, randomized, controlled parallel-group study protocol: the TRAINING study. BMC Nephrol 2022; 23:357. [PMCID: PMC9639260 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-022-02989-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Subclinical inflammation, including borderline lesions (BL), is very common (30–40%) after kidney transplantation (KT), even in low immunological risk patients, and can lead to interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IFTA) and worsening of renal function with graft loss. Few controlled studies have analyzed the therapeutic benefit of treating these BL on renal function and graft histology. Furthermore, these studies have only used bolus steroids, which may be insufficient to slow the progression of these lesions. Klotho, a transmembrane protein produced mainly in the kidney with antifibrotic properties, plays a crucial role in the senescence-inflammation binomial of kidney tissue. Systemic and local inflammation decrease renal tissue expression and soluble levels of α-klotho. It is therefore important to determine whether treatment of BL prevents a decrease in α-klotho levels, progression of IFTA, and loss of kidney function.
Methods
The TRAINING study will randomize 80 patients with low immunological risk who will receive their first KT. The aim of the study is to determine whether the treatment of early BL (3rd month post-KT) with polyclonal rabbit antithymocyte globulin (Grafalon®) (6 mg/kg/day) prevents or decreases the progression of IFTA and the worsening of graft function compared to conventional therapy after two years post-KT, as well as to analyze whether treatment of BL with Grafalon® can modify the expression and levels of klotho, as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokines that regulate its expression.
Discussion
This phase IV investigator-driven, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial will examine the efficacy and safety of Grafalon® treatment in low-immunological-risk KT patients with early BL.
Trial registration
clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04936282. Registered June 23, 2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04936282?term=NCT04936282&draw=2&rank=1. Protocol Version 2 of 21 January 2022. Sponsor: Canary Isles Institute for Health Research Foundation, Canary Isles (FIISC). mgomez@fciisc.org.
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11
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Loupy A, Mengel M, Haas M. 30 years of the International Banff Classification for Allograft Pathology: The Past, Present and Future of Kidney Transplant Diagnostics. Kidney Int 2021; 101:678-691. [DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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12
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Urinary CXCL10 specifically relates to HLA-DQ eplet mismatch load in kidney transplant recipients. Transpl Immunol 2021; 70:101494. [PMID: 34774739 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2021.101494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urinary CXCL10 (uCXCL10) is associated with graft inflammation and graft survival, but the factors related to its excretion are not well known. HLA molecular matching at epitope level allow estimating the "dissimilarity" between donor and recipient HLA more precisely, being better related to further transplant outcomes. The relationship between uCXCL10 and HLA molecular mismatch has not been previously explored. METHODS HLA class I and class II typing of some 65 recipients and their donors was retrospectively performed by high resolution sequence-specific-primer (Life Technologies, Brown Deer, WI). The HLA-Matchmaker 3.1 software was used to assess eplet matching. Urine samples collected on the day of the 1-year surveillance biopsy were available of these 65 patients. uCXCL10 was measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay kit. RESULTS 1-year uCXCL10 was independently associated with HLA-DQB1 eplet mismatch load (β 0.300, 95%CI 0.010-0.058, p = 0.006). Kidney transplant recipients with a HLA-DQB1 eplet mismatch load >3 showed higher values of uCXCL10 at 1-year (p = 0.018) than those with ≤3. Patients with a HLA-DQB1 eplet mismatch load >3 with subclinical AbMR had significantly higher levels of the logarithm of 1-year uCXCL10 (No AbMR 0.88, IQR 0.37; AbMR 1.38, IQR 0.34, p = 0.002) than those without AbMR. CONCLUSIONS uCXCL10 specifically relates to HLA-DQ eplet mismatch load. This relationship can partly explain the previously reported association between uCXCL10 excretion and graft inflammation. An adequate evaluation of any potential non-invasive biomarker, such as uCXCL10, must take into account the HLA molecular mismatch.
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13
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Abstract
Defined as histologic evidence of rejection on a protocol biopsy in the absence of kidney dysfunction, subclinical rejection has garnered attention since the 1990s. The major focus of much of this research, however, has been subclinical T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR). Herein, we review the literature on subclinical antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), which may occur with either preexisting donor-specific antibodies (DSA) or upon the development of de novo DSA (dnDSA). In both situations, subsequent kidney function and graft survival are compromised. Thus, we recommend protocol biopsy routinely within the first year with preexisting DSA and at the initial detection of dnDSA. In those with positive biopsies, baseline immunosuppression should be maximized, any associated TCMR treated, and adherence stressed, but it remains uncertain if antibody-reduction treatment should be initiated. Less invasive testing of blood for donor DNA or gene profiling may have a role in follow-up of those with negative initial biopsies. If a protocol biopsy is positive in the absence of detectable HLA-DSA, it also remains to be determined whether non-HLA-DSA should be screened for either in particular or on a genome-wide basis and how these patients should be treated. Randomized controlled trials are clearly needed.
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14
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Abstract
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) exists in plasma and can be measured by several techniques. It is now possible to differentiate donor-derived cfDNA (ddcfDNA) from recipient cfDNA in the plasma or urine of solid organ transplant recipients in the absence of donor and recipient genotyping. The assessment of ddcfDNA is being increasingly studied as a noninvasive means of identifying acute rejection (AR) in solid organ transplants, including subclinical AR. We herein review the literature on the correlation of ddcfDNA with AR in kidney transplantation. There have been at least 15 observational studies that have assessed ddcfDNA in urine or plasma using various methodologies with various thresholds for abnormality. Overall, elevated ddcfDNA indicates allograft injury as may occur with AR, infection, or acute tubular injury but may also be found in clinically stable patients with normal histology. Sensitivity is greater for antibody-mediated AR than for cell-mediated AR, and normal levels do not preclude significant cell-mediated rejection. Measurement of ddcfDNA is not a replacement for biopsy that remains the gold standard for diagnosing AR. Serial monitoring of stable patients may allow earlier detection of subclinical AR, but the efficacy of this approach remains to be established. Normal levels should not preclude planned protocol biopsies. There may be roles for following ddcfDNA levels to assess the adequacy of treatment of AR and to guide the intensity of immunosuppression in the individual patient. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to validate the benefit and cost-effectiveness for these various uses. No firm recommendations can be made at this time.
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15
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Millán O, Rovira J, Guirado L, Espinosa C, Budde K, Sommerer C, Piñeiro GJ, Diekmann F, Brunet M. Advantages of plasmatic CXCL-10 as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker for the risk of rejection and subclinical rejection in kidney transplantation. Clin Immunol 2021; 229:108792. [PMID: 34217849 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2021.108792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluate the potential of plasmatic CXCL-10 (pCXCL-10) as a pre&post transplantation prognostic and diagnostic biomarker of T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) and subclinical rejection (SCR) risk in adult kidney recipients considering BKV and CMV infections as possible clinical confounder factors. Twenty-eight of 100 patients included experienced rejection (TCMR:14; ABMR:14); 8 SCR; 13 and 16 were diagnosed with BKV and CMV infection, respectively. Pre-transplantation pCXCL-10 was significantly increased in TCMR and ABMR and post-transplantation in TCMR, ABMR and SCR compared with nonrejectors. All CMV+ patients showed pCXCL-10 levels above the cutoff values established for rejection whereas the 80% of BKV+ patients showed pCXCL-10 concentration < 100 pg/mL. pCXCL-10 could improve pre-transplantation patient stratification and immunosuppressive treatment selection according to rejection risk; and after kidney transplantation could be a potential early prognostic biomarker for rejection. Clinical confounding factor in BKV+ and particularly in CMV+ patients must be discarded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Millán
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, CDB, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, c/Villarroel, 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, c/Sinesio Delgado 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jordi Rovira
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia i Trasplantament (LENIT), IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain; Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Plaza de las Cortes, 11, 28014 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Lluis Guirado
- Renal Transplant Unit, Nephrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Carrer de Cartagena, 340, 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Cristina Espinosa
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, CDB, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, c/Villarroel, 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Klemens Budde
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Nephrologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte Luisenstraße 13, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Claudia Sommerer
- Department of Nephrology, University of Heidelberg, University Hospital of Heidelberg and Mannheim, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Gaston J Piñeiro
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, ICNU, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, c/Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fritz Diekmann
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia i Trasplantament (LENIT), IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain; Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Plaza de las Cortes, 11, 28014 Madrid, Spain; Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, ICNU, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, c/Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Mercè Brunet
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, CDB, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, c/Villarroel, 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, c/Sinesio Delgado 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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16
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Clinical Relevance of Corticosteroid Withdrawal on Graft Histological Lesions in Low-Immunological-Risk Kidney Transplant Patients. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10092005. [PMID: 34067039 PMCID: PMC8125434 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10092005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of corticosteroid withdrawal on medium-term graft histological changes in kidney transplant (KT) recipients under standard immunosuppression is uncertain. As part of an open-label, multicenter, prospective, phase IV, 24-month clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02284464) in low-immunological-risk KT recipients, 105 patients were randomized, after a protocol-biopsy at 3 months, to corticosteroid continuation (CSC, n = 52) or corticosteroid withdrawal (CSW, n = 53). Both groups received tacrolimus and MMF and had another protocol-biopsy at 24 months. The acute rejection rate, including subclinical inflammation (SCI), was comparable between groups (21.2 vs. 24.5%). No patients developed dnDSA. Inflammatory and chronicity scores increased from 3 to 24 months in patients with, at baseline, no inflammation (NI) or SCI, regardless of treatment. CSW patients with SCI at 3 months had a significantly increased chronicity score at 24 months. HbA1c levels were lower in CSW patients (6.4 ± 1.2 vs. 5.7 ± 0.6%; p = 0.013) at 24 months, as was systolic blood pressure (134.2 ± 14.9 vs. 125.7 ± 15.3 mmHg; p = 0.016). Allograft function was comparable between groups and no patients died or lost their graft. An increase in chronicity scores at 2-years post-transplantation was observed in low-immunological-risk KT recipients with initial NI or SCI, but CSW may accelerate chronicity changes, especially in patients with early SCI. This strategy did, however, improve the cardiovascular profiles of patients.
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17
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Steffen HLM, Anderson JLC, Poot ML, Lei Y, Connelly MA, Bakker SJL, Öörni K, Tietge UJF. Proteoglycan binding as proatherogenic function metric of apoB-containing lipoproteins and chronic kidney graft failure. J Lipid Res 2021; 62:100083. [PMID: 33939983 PMCID: PMC8173310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2021.100083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipoprotein-proteoglycan binding is an early key event in atherosclerotic lesion formation and thus conceivably could play a major role in vasculopathy-driven chronic graft failure and cardiovascular mortality in renal transplant recipients. The present study investigated whether lipoprotein-proteoglycan binding susceptibility (LPBS) of apoB-containing lipoproteins and levels of the classical atherosclerosis biomarker LDL-C were associated with cardiovascular mortality (n = 130) and graft failure (n = 73) in 589 renal transplant recipients who were followed up from at least 1 year after transplantation for 9.5 years. At baseline, LPBS was significantly higher in patients who subsequently developed graft failure than in those with a surviving graft (1.68 ± 0.93 vs. 1.46 ± 0.49 nmol/mmol, P = 0.001). Cox regression analysis showed an association between LPBS and chronic graft failure in an age- and sex-adjusted model (hazard ratio: 1.45; 95% CI, 1.14-1.85; P = 0.002), but no association was observed with cardiovascular mortality. LDL-C levels were not associated with graft failure or cardiovascular mortality. This study shows that measurement of cholesterol retention outperformed the traditionally used quantitative parameter of LDL-C levels in predicting graft failure, suggesting a higher relevance of proatherogenic function than the quantity of apoB-containing lipoproteins in chronic kidney graft failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L M Steffen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Josephine L C Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Margot L Poot
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yu Lei
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margery A Connelly
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp), Morrisville, NC, USA
| | - Stephan J L Bakker
- Department of Nephrology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Katariina Öörni
- Atherosclerosis Research Laboratory, Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland; Molecular and Integrative Bioscience Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Uwe J F Tietge
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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18
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Impact of HLA Mismatching on Early Subclinical Inflammation in Low-Immunological-Risk Kidney Transplant Recipients. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10091934. [PMID: 33947168 PMCID: PMC8125522 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10091934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatching on the early appearance of subclinical inflammation (SCI) in low-immunological-risk kidney transplant (KT) recipients is undetermined. We aimed to assess whether HLA-mismatching (A-B-C-DR-DQ) is a risk factor for early SCI. As part of a clinical trial (Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT02284464), a total of 105 low-immunological-risk KT patients underwent a protocol biopsy on the third month post-KT. As a result, 54 presented SCI, showing a greater number of total HLA-mismatches (p = 0.008) and worse allograft function compared with the no inflammation group (48.5 ± 13.6 vs. 60 ± 23.4 mL/min; p = 0.003). Multiple logistic regression showed that the only risk factor associated with SCI was the total HLA-mismatch score (OR 1.32, 95%CI 1.06-1.64, p = 0.013) or class II HLA mismatching (OR 1.51; 95%CI 1.04-2.19, p = 0.032) after adjusting for confounder variables (recipient age, delayed graft function, transfusion prior KT, and tacrolimus levels). The ROC curve illustrated that the HLA mismatching of six antigens was the optimal value in terms of sensitivity and specificity for predicting the SCI. Finally, a significantly higher proportion of SCI was seen in patients with >6 vs. ≤6 HLA-mismatches (62.3 vs. 37.7%; p = 0.008). HLA compatibility is an independent risk factor associated with early SCI. Thus, transplant physicians should perhaps be more aware of HLA mismatching to reduce these early harmful lesions.
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19
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Blydt-Hansen TD, Sharma A, Gibson IW, Wiebe C, Sharma AP, Langlois V, Teoh CW, Rush D, Nickerson P, Wishart D, Ho J. Validity and utility of urinary CXCL10/Cr immune monitoring in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. Am J Transplant 2021; 21:1545-1555. [PMID: 33034126 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Individualized posttransplant immunosuppression is hampered by suboptimal monitoring strategies. To validate the utility of urinary CXCL10/Cr immune monitoring in children, we conducted a multicenter prospective observational study in children <21 years with serial and biopsy-associated urine samples (n = 97). Biopsies (n = 240) were categorized as normal (NOR), rejection (>i1t1; REJ), indeterminate (IND), BKV infection, and leukocyturia (LEU). An independent pediatric cohort of 180 urines was used for external validation. Ninety-seven patients aged 11.4 ± 5.5 years showed elevated urinary CXCL10/Cr in REJ (3.1, IQR 1.1, 16.4; P < .001) and BKV nephropathy (median = 5.6, IQR 1.3, 26.9; P < .001) vs. NOR (0.8, IQR 0.4, 1.5). The AUC for REJ vs. NOR was 0.76 (95% CI 0.66-0.86). Low (0.63) and high (4.08) CXCL10/Cr levels defined high sensitivity and specificity thresholds, respectively; validated against an independent sample set (AUC = 0.76, 95% CI 0.66-0.86). Serial urines anticipated REJ up to 4 weeks prior to biopsy and declined within 1 month following treatment. Elevated mean CXCL10/Cr was correlated with first-year eGFR decline (ρ = -0.37, P ≤ .001), particularly when persistently exceeding ≥4.08 (ratio = 0.81; P < .04). Useful thresholds for urinary CXCL10/Cr levels reproducibly define the risk of rejection, immune quiescence, and decline in allograft function for use in real-time clinical monitoring in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom D Blydt-Hansen
- Pediatric Nephrology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Atul Sharma
- Biostatistical Consulting Unit, George, Fay Yee Center for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Ian W Gibson
- Pathology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Chris Wiebe
- Nephrology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Transplant/Immunology Lab, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Ajay P Sharma
- Pediatric Nephrology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Valerie Langlois
- Pediatric Nephrology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chia W Teoh
- Pediatric Nephrology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Rush
- Nephrology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Peter Nickerson
- Nephrology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Transplant/Immunology Lab, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - David Wishart
- Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,The Metabolomics Innovation Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Julie Ho
- Nephrology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Manitoba Centre for Proteomics & Systems Biology, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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20
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Arnau A, Benito-Hernández A, Ramos-Barrón MA, García-Unzueta MT, Gómez-Román JJ, Gómez-Ortega JM, López-Hoyos M, San Segundo D, Ruiz JC, Rodrigo E. Urinary C-X-C Motif Chemokine 10 Is Related to Acute Graft Lesions Secondary to T Cell- and Antibody-Mediated Damage. Ann Transplant 2021; 26:e929491. [PMID: 33686050 PMCID: PMC7955576 DOI: 10.12659/aot.929491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-invasive biomarkers of graft rejection are needed to optimize the management and outcomes of kidney transplant recipients. Urinary excretion of IFN-γ-related chemokine CXCL10 is clearly associated with clinical and subclinical T cell-mediated graft inflammation, but its relationship with antibody-mediated damage has not been fully addressed. Further, the variables influencing levels of urinary CXCL10 excretion are unknown. Material/Methods A total of 151 kidney graft biopsies (92 surveillance and 59 indication biopsies) and 151 matched urine samples obtained before biopsy were prospectively analyzed. T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) and antibody-mediated rejection (AbMR) were defined according to the 2017 Banff classification criteria. Urinary CXCL10 levels were measured by ELISA and corrected by urinary creatinine. Results Banff scores ‘t’, ‘i’, ‘g’, and ‘ptc’ were significantly related to urinary CXCL10 levels. Multivariate analysis showed that ‘t’ (β=0.107, P=0.001) and ‘ptc’ (β=0.093, P=0.002) were significantly associated with urinary CXCL10. Donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) were related to the high excretion of urinary CXCL10 at 1 year after transplantation (odds ratio [OR] 17.817, P=0.003). Urinary CXCL10 showed good discrimination ability for AbMR (AUC-ROC 0.760, P=0.001). The third tertile of urinary CXCL10 remained significantly associated with AbMR (OR 4.577, 95% confidence interval 1.799–11.646, P=0.001) after multivariate regression analysis. Conclusions DSA was the only variable clearly related to high urinary CXCL10 levels. Urinary CXCL10 is a good non-invasive candidate biomarker of AbMR and TCMR, supplying information independent of renal function and other variables normally used to monitor kidney transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Arnau
- Nephrology Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Adalberto Benito-Hernández
- Nephrology Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - María Angeles Ramos-Barrón
- Nephrology Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - María Teresa García-Unzueta
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - José Javier Gómez-Román
- Pathology Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - José María Gómez-Ortega
- Pathology Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Marcos López-Hoyos
- Immunology Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - David San Segundo
- Immunology Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Ruiz
- Nephrology Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Emilio Rodrigo
- Nephrology Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
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21
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Hoffmann AJ, Gibson IW, Ho J, Nickerson P, Rush D, Sharma A, Wishart D, Blydt-Hansen TD. Early surveillance biopsy utilization and management of pediatric renal allograft acute T cell-mediated rejection in Canadian centers: Observations from the PROBE multicenter cohort study. Pediatr Transplant 2021; 25:e13870. [PMID: 33026135 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early TCMR surveillance with protocol kidney biopsy is used differentially among pediatric kidney transplant centers. Little has been reported about actual center-based differences, and this variability may influence TCMR ascertainment, treatment, and monitoring more broadly. METHODS Data from the PROBE multicenter study were used to identify patients from centers conducting ESB or LSIB. ESB was defined as >50% of patients having at least 1 surveillance biopsy in the first 9 months. Patients were compared for number of biopsies, rejection episodes, treatment, and follow-up monitoring. RESULTS A total of 261 biopsies were performed on 97 patients over 1-2 years of follow-up. A total of 228 (87%) of biopsies were performed in ESB centers. Compared to LSIB centers, ESB centers had 7-fold more episodes of TCMR diagnosed on any biopsy [0.8 ± 1.2 vs 0.1 ± 0.4; P < .001] and a 3-fold higher rate from indication biopsies [0.3 ± 0.9 vs 0.1 ± 0.3; P = .04]. The proportion of rejection treatment varied based on severity: Banff borderline i1t1 (40%);>i1t1 and < Banff 1A (86%); and ≥ Banff 1A (100%). Biopsies for follow-up were performed after treatment in 80% of cases (n = 28) of rejection almost exclusively at ESB centers, with 17 (61%) showing persistence of TCMR (≥i1t1). CONCLUSIONS Practice variation exists across Canadian pediatric renal transplant centers with ESB centers identifying more episodes of rejection. Additionally, treatment of Banff borderline is not universal and varies with severity regardless of center type. Lastly, follow-up biopsies are performed inconsistently and invariably show persistence of rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian W Gibson
- Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Julie Ho
- Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Peter Nickerson
- Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Shared Health Services Manitoba, Transplant/Immunology Lab, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - David Rush
- Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Atul Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - David Wishart
- The Metabolomics Innovation Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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22
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A Practical Guide to the Clinical Implementation of Biomarkers for Subclinical Rejection Following Kidney Transplantation. Transplantation 2020; 104:700-707. [PMID: 31815910 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Noninvasive biomarkers are needed to monitor stable patients following kidney transplantation (KT), as subclinical rejection, currently detectable only with invasive surveillance biopsies, can lead to chronic rejection and graft loss. Several biomarkers have recently been developed to detect rejection in KT recipients, using different technologies as well as varying clinical monitoring strategies defined as "context of use (COU)." The various metrics utilized to evaluate the performance of each biomarker can also vary, depending on their intended COU. As the use of molecular biomarkers in transplantation represents a new era in patient management, it is important for clinicians to better understand the process by which the incremental value of each biomarkers is evaluated to determine its potential role in clinical practice. This process includes but is not limited to an assessment of clinical validity and utility, but to define these, the clinician must first appreciate the trajectory of a biomarker from bench to bedside as well as the regulatory and other requirements needed to navigate this course successfully. This overview summarizes this process, providing a framework that can be used by clinicians as a practical guide in general, and more specifically in the context of subclinical rejection following KT. In addition, we have reviewed available as well as promising biomarkers for this purpose in terms of the clinical need, COU, assessment of biomarker performance relevant to both the need and COU, assessment of biomarker benefits and risks relevant to the COU, and the evidentiary criteria of the biomarker relevant to the COU compared with the current standard of care. We also provide an insight into the path required to make biomarkers commercially available once they have been developed and validated so that they used by clinicians outside the research context in every day clinical practice.
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23
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Levitsky J, Asrani SK, Schiano T, Moss A, Chavin K, Miller C, Guo K, Zhao L, Kandpal M, Bridges N, Brown M, Armstrong B, Kurian S, Demetris AJ, Abecassis M. Discovery and validation of a novel blood-based molecular biomarker of rejection following liver transplantation. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:2173-2183. [PMID: 32356368 PMCID: PMC7496674 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasive biomarker profiles of acute rejection (AR) could affect the management of liver transplant (LT) recipients. Peripheral blood was collected following LT for discovery (Northwestern University [NU]) and validation (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation [CTOT]-14 study). Blood gene profiling was paired with biopsies showing AR or ADNR (acute dysfunction no rejection) as well as stable graft function samples (Transplant eXcellent-TX). CTOT-14 subjects had serial collections prior to AR, ADNR, TX, and after AR treatment. NU cohort gene expression (46 AR, 45 TX) was analyzed using random forest models to generate a classifier training set (36 gene probe) distinguishing AR vs TX (area under the curve 0.92). The algorithm and threshold were locked and tested on the CTOT-14 validation cohort (14 AR, 50 TX), yielding an accuracy of 0.77, sensitivity 0.57, specificity 0.82, positive predictive value (PPV) 0.47, and negative predictive value (NPV) 0.87 for AR vs TX. The probability score line slopes were positive preceding AR, and negative preceding TX and non-AR (TX + ADNR) (P ≤ .001) and following AR treatment. In conclusion, we have developed a blood biomarker diagnostic for AR that can be detected prior to AR-associated graft injury as well a normal graft function (non-AR). Further studies are needed to evaluate its utility in precision-guided immunosuppression optimization following LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Levitsky
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois,Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois
| | - Sumeet K. Asrani
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant InstituteBaylor University Medical CenterDallasTexas
| | | | | | | | | | - Kexin Guo
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois,Biostatistics Collaboration CenterDepartment of Preventive MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois
| | - Lihui Zhao
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois,Biostatistics Collaboration CenterDepartment of Preventive MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois
| | - Manoj Kandpal
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois,Biostatistics Collaboration CenterDepartment of Preventive MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois
| | - Nancy Bridges
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and TransplantationNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesBethesdaMaryland
| | - Merideth Brown
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and TransplantationNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesBethesdaMaryland
| | | | - Sunil Kurian
- The Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCalifornia
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24
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Mehta RB, Tandukar S, Jorgensen D, Randhawa P, Sood P, Puttarajappa C, Zeevi A, Tevar AD, Hariharan S. Early subclinical tubulitis and interstitial inflammation in kidney transplantation have adverse clinical implications. Kidney Int 2020; 98:436-447. [PMID: 32624181 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
This prospective observational cohort study compared the impact of subclinical tubulitis with or without interstitial inflammation to interstitial inflammation alone and to no inflammation in early post kidney transplant biopsies. A study cohort of 415 patients (living and deceased donor recipients) was divided into three groups on the basis of their three-month biopsy: 149 patients with No Inflammation (NI), 83 patients with Isolated Interstitial Inflammation (IIF), and 183 patients with Tubulitis [(with or without interstitial inflammation) (TIF) but not meeting criteria for Banff IA]. TIF was further divided into 56 patients with tubulitis without interstitial inflammation (TIF0) and 127 patients with tubulitis alongside interstitial inflammation (TIF1). TIF was significantly associated with higher incidence of subsequent T-cell mediated rejection (clinical or subclinical) at one year compared to IIF (31% vs 15%) and NI (31% vs 17%). Chronicity on one-year biopsy was significantly higher in TIF compared to IIF (22% vs 11%) and NI (22% vs 7%). De novo donor-specific antibody development was significantly higher in TIF compared to NI (6% vs 0.7%). Tubulitis subgroups (TIF0 and TIF1) revealed comparable effects on de novo donor-specific antibody and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy development. However, tubulitis with interstitial inflammation had a significantly higher incidence of subsequent rejection and posed an increased hazard for the composite end point (subsequent acute rejection and death censored graft loss) compared to other groups [adjusted hazard 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.2-3.5)]. Thus, subclinical tubulitis is a marker of adverse immunological events, but tubulitis with interstitial inflammation has a worse prognosis. Hence, the Banff 1997 (TIF1) and Banff 2005 classifications (TIF) for borderline change may have different implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajil B Mehta
- Division of Transplant Nephrology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Srijan Tandukar
- Division of Transplant Nephrology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dana Jorgensen
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Parmjeet Randhawa
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Puneet Sood
- Division of Transplant Nephrology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chethan Puttarajappa
- Division of Transplant Nephrology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Adriana Zeevi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amit D Tevar
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sundaram Hariharan
- Division of Transplant Nephrology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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