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Yang H, Wang D, Sun X, Wang H, Lan Y, Wei L. Diagnostic performance of GcfDNA in kidney allograft rejection: a meta-analysis. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1293402. [PMID: 38264334 PMCID: PMC10803602 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1293402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In this comprehensive meta-analysis, our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of graft-derived cell-free DNA (GcfDNA) in kidney allograft rejection and explore associated factors. We conducted a thorough search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases, spanning from their inception to September 2022. Statistical analysis was executed utilizing Stata 15, Meta-DiSc 1.4, and Review Manager 5.4 software. The combined pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and the area under the summary receiver operating characteristics (SROC) curve from the synthesis of findings across ten studies were as follows: 0.75 (0.67-0.81), 0.78 (0.72-0.83), 3.36 (2.89-4.35), 0.32 (0.24-0.44), 8.77 (4.34-17.74), and 0.83 (0.80-0.86), respectively. Among the ten studies primarily focused on GcfDNA's diagnostic potential for antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), the optimal cut-off threshold demonstrated substantial diagnostic efficacy, with pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, DOR, and area under the summary receiver operating characteristics curve values of 0.83 (0.74-0.89), 0.75 (0.70-0.80), 3.37 (2.64-4.30), 0.23 (0.15-0.36), 14.65 (7.94-27.03), and 0.85 (0.82-0.88), respectively. These results underscore the high diagnostic accuracy of GcfDNA in detecting rejection. Furthermore, the optimal cut-off threshold proves effective in diagnosing ABMR, while a 1% threshold remains a robust diagnostic criterion for rejection. Notably, for ABMR diagnosis, droplet digital PCR digital droplet polymerase chain reaction emerges as a superior method in terms of accuracy when compared to other techniques. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to substantiate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongji Yang
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Transplantation Center, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Duo Wang
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Sun
- Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center and Chinese Cochrane Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hailian Wang
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Transplantation Center, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Lan
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Wei
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Transplantation Center, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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Park S, Sellares J, Tinel C, Anglicheau D, Bestard O, Friedewald JJ. European Society of Organ Transplantation Consensus Statement on Testing for Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Kidney Allograft Rejection. Transpl Int 2024; 36:12115. [PMID: 38239762 PMCID: PMC10794444 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.12115] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
To address the need for improved biomarkers for kidney transplant rejection, European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) convened a dedicated working group comprised of experts in kidney transplant biomarkers to review literature pertaining to clinical and subclinical acute rejection to develop guidelines in the screening and diagnosis of acute rejection that were subsequently discussed and voted on during the Consensus Conference that took place in person in Prague. The findings and recommendations of the Working Group on Molecular Biomarkers of Kidney Transplant Rejection are presented in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sookhyeon Park
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Claire Tinel
- Dijon University Hospital, INSERM UMR 1098 Right, UBFC, Dijon, France
| | - Dany Anglicheau
- Necker Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris, INSERM U1151, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - John J. Friedewald
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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3
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Cucchiari D, Cuadrado-Payan E, Gonzalez-Roca E, Revuelta I, Argudo M, Ramirez-Bajo MJ, Ventura-Aguiar P, Rovira J, Bañon-Maneus E, Montagud-Marrahi E, Rodriguez-Espinosa D, Cacho J, Arana C, Torregrosa V, Esforzado N, Cofàn F, Oppenheimer F, Musquera M, Peri L, Casas S, Dholakia S, Palou E, Campistol JM, Bayés B, Puig JA, Diekmann F. Early kinetics of donor-derived cell-free DNA after transplantation predicts renal graft recovery and long-term function. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2023; 39:114-121. [PMID: 37715343 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfad120] [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: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) upon transplantation is one of the most impactful events that the kidney graft suffers during its life. Its clinical manifestation in the recipient, delayed graft function (DGF), has serious prognostic consequences. However, the different definitions of DGF are subject to physicians' choices and centers' policies, and a more objective tool to quantify IRI is needed. Here, we propose the use of donor-derived cell-free DNA (ddcfDNA) for this scope. METHODS ddcfDNA was assessed in 61 kidney transplant recipients of either living or deceased donors at 24 h, and 7, 14 and 30 days after transplantation using the AlloSeq cfDNA Kit (CareDx, San Francisco, CA, USA). Patients were followed-up for 6 months and 7-year graft survival was estimated through the complete and functional iBox tool. RESULTS Twenty-four-hour ddcfDNA was associated with functional DGF [7.20% (2.35%-15.50%) in patients with functional DGF versus 2.70% (1.55%-4.05%) in patients without it, P = .023] and 6-month estimated glomerular filtration rate (r = -0.311, P = .023). At Day 7 after transplantation, ddcfDNA was associated with dialysis duration in DGF patients (r = 0.612, P = .005) and worse 7-year iBox-estimated graft survival probability (β -0.42, P = .001) at multivariable analysis. Patients with early normalization of ddcfDNA (<0.5% at 1 week) had improved functional iBox-estimated probability of graft survival (79.5 ± 16.8%) in comparison with patients with 7-day ddcfDNA ≥0.5% (67.7 ± 24.1%) (P = .047). CONCLUSIONS ddcfDNA early kinetics after transplantation reflect recovery from IRI and are associated with short-, medium- and long-term graft outcome. This may provide a more objective estimate of IRI severity in comparison with the clinical-based definitions of DGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cucchiari
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Cuadrado-Payan
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Gonzalez-Roca
- CORE Molecular Biology Laboratory, Biomedical Diagnostic Center (CBD), Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Revuelta
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Argudo
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria José Ramirez-Bajo
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Ventura-Aguiar
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Rovira
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisenda Bañon-Maneus
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Judit Cacho
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolt Arana
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicens Torregrosa
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Esforzado
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Frederic Cofàn
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Frederic Oppenheimer
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Lluís Peri
- Department of Urology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Eduard Palou
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Campistol
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriu Bayés
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Anton Puig
- CORE Molecular Biology Laboratory, Biomedical Diagnostic Center (CBD), Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fritz Diekmann
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia I Trasplantament (LENIT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
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López Del Moral C, Wu K, Naik M, Osmanodja B, Akifova A, Lachmann N, Stauch D, Hergovits S, Choi M, Bachmann F, Halleck F, Schrezenmeier E, Schmidt D, Budde K. Predictors of graft failure after first detection of de novo donor-specific HLA antibodies in kidney transplant recipients. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2023; 39:84-94. [PMID: 37410616 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfad149] [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: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND De novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSAs) may cause antibody-mediated rejection and graft dysfunction. Little is known about the clinical course after first detection of dnDSAs during screening in asymptomatic patients. We aimed to assess the value of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria to predict graft failure in patients with dnDSAs and their potential utility as surrogate endpoints. METHODS All 400 kidney transplant recipients with dnDSAs at our centre (1 March 2000-31 May 2021) were included in this retrospective study. The dates of graft loss, rejection, doubling of creatinine, ≥30% eGFR decline, proteinuria ≥500 mg/g and ≥1000 mg/g were registered from the first dnDSA appearance. RESULTS During 8.3 years of follow-up, graft failure occurred in 33.3% of patients. Baseline eGFR and proteinuria correlated with 5-year graft loss (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.75 and 0.80, P < .001). Creatinine doubled after a median of 2.8 years [interquartile range (IQR) 1.5-5.0] from dnDSA and the time from doubling creatinine to graft failure was 1.0 year (IQR 0.4-2.9). Analysing eGFR reduction ≥30% as a surrogate endpoint (148/400), the time from dnDSA to this event was 2.0 years (IQR 0.6-4.2), with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 45.9% to predict graft loss, which occurred after 2.0 years (IQR 0.8-3.2). The median time from proteinuria ≥500 mg/g and ≥1000 mg/g to graft failure was identical, 1.8 years, with a PPV of 43.8% and 49.0%, respectively. Composite endpoints did not improve PPV. Multivariable analysis showed that rejection was the most important independent risk factor for all renal endpoints and graft loss. CONCLUSIONS Renal function, proteinuria and rejection are strongly associated with graft failure in patients with dnDSA and may serve as surrogate endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Covadonga López Del Moral
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Nephrology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Kaiyin Wu
- Department of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcel Naik
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bilgin Osmanodja
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aylin Akifova
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nils Lachmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, HLA-Laboratory, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Diana Stauch
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, HLA-Laboratory, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Hergovits
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, HLA-Laboratory, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mira Choi
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friederike Bachmann
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Halleck
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Schrezenmeier
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Academy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Danilo Schmidt
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klemens Budde
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Mantios E, Filiopoulos V, Constantoulakis P, Liapis G, Vittoraki A, Casas S, Marinaki S, Boletis JN. Assessment of Donor Derived Cell Free DNA (dd-cfDNA) at Surveillance and at Clinical Suspicion of Acute Rejection in Renal Transplantation. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11507. [PMID: 37901296 PMCID: PMC10603235 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
In our prospective, unicenter cohort study, we collected blood samples from 30 newly kidney transplanted patients, at month 1, 2, 3, and 5 for dd-cfDNA analysis, along with creatinine/eGFR and DSA monitoring, and from 32 patients who underwent an indication biopsy and whose dd-cfDNA levels were measured at the time of biopsy and 1 month afterwards. Fourteen of 32 (43.8%) patients in the biopsy group were diagnosed with TCMR and 5 of 32 (15.6%) with ABMR. Dd-cfDNA proved to be better than creatinine in diagnosing rejection from non-rejection in patients who were biopsied. When a dd-cfDNA threshold of 0.5% was chosen, sensitivity was 73.7% and specificity was 92.3% (AUC: 0.804, 0.646-0.961). In rejection patients, levels of dd-cfDNA prior to biopsy (0.94%, 0.3-2.0) decreased substantially after initiation of treatment with median returning to baseline already at 1 month (0.33%, 0.21-0.51, p = 0.0036). In the surveillance group, high levels of dd-cfDNA (>0.5%) from second month post-transplantation were correlated with non-increasing eGFR 1 year post-transplantation. The study used AlloSeq kit for kidney transplant surveillance for first time and confirmed dd-cfDNA's ability to detect rejection and monitor treatment, as well as to predict worse long-term outcomes regarding eGFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Mantios
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, School of Medicine, General Hospital of Athens Laiko, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis Filiopoulos
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, School of Medicine, General Hospital of Athens Laiko, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - George Liapis
- Pathology Department, School of Medicine, General Hospital of Athens Laiko, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angeliki Vittoraki
- Immunology Department, National Tissue Typing Center, General Hospital of Athens “G. Gennimatas”, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Smaragdi Marinaki
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, School of Medicine, General Hospital of Athens Laiko, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - John N Boletis
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, School of Medicine, General Hospital of Athens Laiko, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Abdulhadi T, Alrata L, Dubrawka C, Amurao G, Kalipatnapu SM, Isaac C, Rodrigues S, Flores KM, Alsabbagh DY, Alomar O, Alhamad T. Donor-derived cell free DNA as a biomarker in kidney transplantation. Pharmacogenomics 2023; 24:771-780. [PMID: 37732393 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2023-0138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The early detection of acute rejection in the allograft is important as it provides an opportunity for timely therapeutic intervention in order to preserve graft function and achieve longer graft survival. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) has emerged as a new biomarker in the field of kidney transplantation. In this review, we used data from various studies to examine the role of dd-cfDNA in comparison to creatinine and donor-specific antibodies in the early detection of transplant rejection. We also reviewed the use of dd-cfDNA in other organ transplants as well as the challenges and potential future direction for dd-cfDNA as a diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Abdulhadi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Louai Alrata
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Casey Dubrawka
- Department of Pharmacy, Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gwendolyn Amurao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sri Mahathi Kalipatnapu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Che Isaac
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shelden Rodrigues
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Karen Marie Flores
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Dema Yaseen Alsabbagh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Omar Alomar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tarek Alhamad
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Transplant Epidemiology Research Collaboration (TERC), Institute of Public Health, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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7
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Berezina TA, Berezin AE. Cell-free DNA as a plausible biomarker of chronic kidney disease. Epigenomics 2023; 15:879-890. [PMID: 37791402 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) is released from dead and/or apoptotic leukocytes and due to neutrophil extracellular traps contributing to an inflammatory response. Previous clinical studies have reported that the peak concentrations and dynamic changes of cf-DNA may be used as a noninvasive biomarker of worsening kidney function as well as a guide to the management of kidney allograft rejection. We hypothesized that the pattern and dynamic changes of cf-DNA might be a plausible predictive biomarker for patients at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), including individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart failure, cardiovascular disease and established CKD. Along with it, pre- and posthemodialysis levels of serum cf-DNA appear to be a independent predictor for all-cause mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetiana A Berezina
- VitaCenter, Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Zaporozhye, 69000, Ukraine
| | - Alexander E Berezin
- Paracelsus Medical University, Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
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8
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Chancharoenthana W, Traitanon O, Leelahavanichkul A, Tasanarong A. Molecular immune monitoring in kidney transplant rejection: a state-of-the-art review. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1206929. [PMID: 37675106 PMCID: PMC10477600 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1206929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although current regimens of immunosuppressive drugs are effective in renal transplant recipients, long-term renal allograft outcomes remain suboptimal. For many years, the diagnosis of renal allograft rejection and of several causes of renal allograft dysfunction, such as chronic subclinical inflammation and infection, was mostly based on renal allograft biopsy, which is not only invasive but also possibly performed too late for proper management. In addition, certain allograft dysfunctions are difficult to differentiate from renal histology due to their similar pathogenesis and immune responses. As such, non-invasive assays and biomarkers may be more beneficial than conventional renal biopsy for enhancing graft survival and optimizing immunosuppressive drug regimens during long-term care. This paper discusses recent biomarker candidates, including donor-derived cell-free DNA, transcriptomics, microRNAs, exosomes (or other extracellular vesicles), urine chemokines, and nucleosomes, that show high potential for clinical use in determining the prognosis of long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation, along with their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiwat Chancharoenthana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Tropical Immunology and Translational Research Unit (TITRU), Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Thammasat Multi-Organ Transplant Center, Thammasat University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Opas Traitanon
- Thammasat Multi-Organ Transplant Center, Thammasat University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Asada Leelahavanichkul
- Center of Excellence on Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Department of Microbiology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Adis Tasanarong
- Thammasat Multi-Organ Transplant Center, Thammasat University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
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9
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Graver AS, Lee D, Power DA, Whitlam JB. Understanding Donor-derived Cell-free DNA in Kidney Transplantation: An Overview and Case-based Guide for Clinicians. Transplantation 2023; 107:1675-1686. [PMID: 36579675 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Kidney transplant recipients undergo lifelong monitoring of allograft function and evaluation for transplant complications. The current monitoring paradigm utilizes blood, urine, and tissue markers that are insensitive, nonspecific, or invasive to obtain. As a result, problems are detected late, after significant damage has accrued, and often beyond the time at which complete resolution is possible. Indeed, most kidney transplants eventually fail, usually because of chronic rejection and other undetected injury. There is a clear need for a transplant-specific biomarker that enables a proactive approach to monitoring via early detection of reversible pathology. A biomarker that supports timely and personalized treatment would assist in achieving the ultimate goal of improving allograft survival and limiting therapeutic toxicity to the recipient. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (ddcfDNA) has been proposed as one such transplant biomarker. Although the test is presently utilized most in the United States, it is conceivable that its use will become more widespread. This review covers aspects of ddcfDNA that support informed use of the test by general nephrologists, including the basic biology of ddcfDNA, methodological nuances of testing, and general recommendations for use in the kidney transplant population. Clinical contexts are used to illustrate evidence-supported interpretation of ddcfDNA results and subsequent management. Finally, knowledge gaps and areas for further study are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison S Graver
- Kidney Transplant Service, Department of Nephrology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Darren Lee
- Kidney Transplant Service, Department of Nephrology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Department of Renal Medicine, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC, Australia
| | - David A Power
- Kidney Transplant Service, Department of Nephrology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John B Whitlam
- Kidney Transplant Service, Department of Nephrology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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10
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Rizvi A, Faiz S, Thakkar PH, Hussain S, Gamilla-Crudo AN, Kueht M, Mujtaba MA. Kidney Allograft Monitoring by Combining Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA and Molecular Gene Expression: A Clinical Management Perspective. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1205. [PMID: 37623456 PMCID: PMC10455393 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13081205] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) may safely assess kidney allograft rejection. Molecular Microscope (MMDx®) gene expression may offer increased precision to histology. This single-center retrospective study monitored kidney transplant recipients for rejection at specified time intervals by utilizing creatinine (SCr), proteinuria, donor-specific antibodies (DSAs), and dd-cfDNA. A clinically indicated biopsy sample was sent for histopathology and MMDx®. Patients were categorized into rejection (Rej) and non-rejection (NRej) groups, and further grouped according to antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) subtypes. Rej and NRej groups included 52 and 37 biopsies, respectively. Median follow-up duration was 506 days. DSAs were positive in 53% and 22% of patients in both groups, respectively (p = 0.01). Among these groups, pre- and post-intervention median SCr, proteinuria, and dd-cfDNA at 1 month, 2 months, and at the last follow-up revealed significant difference for dd-cfDNA (all p = 0.01), however, no difference was found for SCr and proteinuria (p > 0.05). The AUC was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.69-0.91), with an optimal dd-cfDNA criterion of 2.2%. Compared to histology, MMDx® was more likely to diagnose ABMR (79% vs. 100%) with either C4d positivity or negativity and/or DSA positivity or negativity. Hence, a pre- and post-intervention allograft monitoring protocol in combination with dd-cfDNA, MMDx®, and histology has aided in early diagnosis and timely individualized intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Rizvi
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplant Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (A.R.); (P.H.T.); (S.H.); (A.N.G.-C.)
| | - Sara Faiz
- Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Parin H. Thakkar
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplant Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (A.R.); (P.H.T.); (S.H.); (A.N.G.-C.)
| | - Syed Hussain
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplant Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (A.R.); (P.H.T.); (S.H.); (A.N.G.-C.)
| | - Ann N. Gamilla-Crudo
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplant Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (A.R.); (P.H.T.); (S.H.); (A.N.G.-C.)
| | - Michael Kueht
- Department of Transplant Surgery, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Muhammad A. Mujtaba
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplant Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (A.R.); (P.H.T.); (S.H.); (A.N.G.-C.)
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11
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Fernando E, Sanathkumar HT, Ramanathan A, Srinivasaprasad ND, Thirumalvalavan K, Annadurai P, Sujith S. Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA and Active Rejection in Renal Allografts. Indian J Nephrol 2023; 33:247-253. [PMID: 37781552 PMCID: PMC10503575 DOI: 10.4103/ijn.ijn_152_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Renal allograft rejection contributes to significant morbidity and graft loss. In this setting, early detection of rejection is of paramount importance, which currently relies on histopathology. A reliable non-invasive marker to predict rejection would make surveillance and decision-making easier. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-Cf-DNA) has recently been reported as an emerging tool to predict rejection noninvasively. The utility of cell-free DNA in clinical practice has so far not been studied in an Indian setting. As it offers direct clinical application, we have chosen to investigate this biomarker as a tool to predict rejection. Materials and Methods A pilot study with convenient sample size was designed, as this is the first of its kind study so far reported from India. Patients being evaluated with a graft biopsy for graft dysfunction were included. Patients with stable graft function, defined as creatinine within 10% of their best creatinine and no proteinuria for the preceding 12 months, were also included. Ten milliliters of whole blood from each of the recipients was collected in DNA isolation tubes. Two milliliters of donor blood was also obtained in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes. All recipients also provided a buccal swab. Total cell-free DNA was extracted from 2 ml of recipient plasma using circulating DNA isolation kit. Upon identification of the donor-specific DNA marker for each of the patients from the paired donor sample, presence of the cell-free DNA fraction in the recipient's plasma was detected and quantified. Renal biopsy reports and clinical details were also recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also performed. Results A total of 31 patients were recruited. Twenty patients underwent graft biopsies for graft dysfunction, of which 12 patients had features of active rejection and eight had nonrejection causes of graft dysfunction. Eleven patients with stable graft were included in the study. In our study, dd-Cf-DNA performed best in predicting antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) and higher grades of T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) (1B). It did not detect TCMR 1A accurately. It serves as a good marker to rule out rejection. It gave a NPV of 100% for TCMR 1B or ABMR, 100% for ABMR alone, and 81% for any rejection. dd-Cf-DNA percentages outperform absolute concentrations in their discriminatory ability. Conclusion We have demonstrated the diagnostic accuracy of dd-Cf-DNA in predicting active rejection of the renal allograft. It performs well in ABMR and higher grades of TCMR. This is the first of its kind study reported from India, to the best of our knowledge. This tool serves as a good rule out test for ABMR and higher grades of TCMR. It performs poorly in TCMR 1A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Fernando
- Department of Nephrology Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Aravind Ramanathan
- Department of Nephrology Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - ND Srinivasaprasad
- Department of Nephrology Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - K Thirumalvalavan
- Department of Nephrology Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Poongodi Annadurai
- Department of Nephrology Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Sujith
- Department of Nephrology Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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12
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Jimenez-Coll V, Llorente S, Boix F, Alfaro R, Galián JA, Martinez-Banaclocha H, Botella C, Moya-Quiles MR, Muro-Pérez M, Minguela A, Legaz I, Muro M. Monitoring of Serological, Cellular and Genomic Biomarkers in Transplantation, Computational Prediction Models and Role of Cell-Free DNA in Transplant Outcome. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043908. [PMID: 36835314 PMCID: PMC9963702 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043908] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The process and evolution of an organ transplant procedure has evolved in terms of the prevention of immunological rejection with the improvement in the determination of immune response genes. These techniques include considering more important genes, more polymorphism detection, more refinement of the response motifs, as well as the analysis of epitopes and eplets, its capacity to fix complement, the PIRCHE algorithm and post-transplant monitoring with promising new biomarkers that surpass the classic serum markers such as creatine and other similar parameters of renal function. Among these new biomarkers, we analyze new serological, urine, cellular, genomic and transcriptomic biomarkers and computational prediction, with particular attention to the analysis of donor free circulating DNA as an optimal marker of kidney damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Jimenez-Coll
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Santiago Llorente
- Nephrology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco Boix
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Rafael Alfaro
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - José Antonio Galián
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Helios Martinez-Banaclocha
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Carmen Botella
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - María R. Moya-Quiles
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Muro-Pérez
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Alfredo Minguela
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Isabel Legaz
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Correspondence: (I.L.); (M.M.); Tel.: +34-699986674 (M.M.); Fax: +34-868834307 (M.M.)
| | - Manuel Muro
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Correspondence: (I.L.); (M.M.); Tel.: +34-699986674 (M.M.); Fax: +34-868834307 (M.M.)
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13
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Huang E, Mengel M, Clahsen-van Groningen MC, Jackson AM. Diagnostic Potential of Minimally Invasive Biomarkers: A Biopsy-centered Viewpoint From the Banff Minimally Invasive Diagnostics Working Group. Transplantation 2023; 107:45-52. [PMID: 36508645 PMCID: PMC9746335 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With recent advances and commercial implementation of minimally invasive biomarkers in kidney transplantation, new strategies for the surveillance of allograft health are emerging. Blood and urine-based biomarkers can be used to detect the presence of rejection, but their applicability as diagnostic tests has not been studied. A Banff working group was recently formed to consider the potential of minimally invasive biomarkers for integration into the Banff classification for kidney allograft pathology. We review the existing data on donor-derived cell-free DNA, blood and urine transcriptomics, urinary protein chemokines, and next-generation diagnostics and conclude that the available data do not support their use as stand-alone diagnostic tests at this point. Future studies assessing their ability to distinguish complex phenotypes, differentiate T cell-mediated rejection from antibody-mediated rejection, and function as an adjunct to histology are needed to elevate these minimally invasive biomarkers from surveillance tests to diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund Huang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michael Mengel
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Marian C. Clahsen-van Groningen
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Experimental and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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14
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Anti-interleukin-6 Antibody Clazakizumab in Antibody-mediated Kidney Transplant Rejection: Effect on Donor-derived Cell-free DNA and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 10. Transplant Direct 2022; 8:e1406. [PMID: 36382130 PMCID: PMC9649278 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Targeting interleukin-6 (IL-6) was shown to counteract donor-specific antibody production and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) activity. It is not known whether, or to what extent, IL-6 antagonism modulates biomarkers indicative of tissue damage (donor-derived cell-free DNA [dd-cfDNA]) and parenchymal inflammation (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand [CXCL] 10). METHODS We report a secondary endpoint analysis of a phase 2 trial of anti-IL-6 antibody clazakizumab in late AMR (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03444103). Twenty kidney transplant recipients were randomized to treatment with clazakizumab or placebo over 12 wk (part A), followed by an extension in which all recipients received clazakizumab through week 52 (part B). Biomarkers were evaluated at day 0 and after 12 and 52 wk, respectively. RESULTS Fractional dd-cfDNA (dd-cfDNA[%]) did not significantly change under clazakizumab, with no differences between study arms (clazakizumab versus placebo) at week 12 (1.65% [median; interquartile range: 0.91%-2.78%] versus 0.97% [0.56%-2.30%]; P = 0.25) and no significant decrease from weeks 12 to 52 (1.15% [0.70%-2.38%] versus 1.0% [0.61%-1.70%]; P = 0.25). Similarly, urine CXCL10 was not different between groups at week 12 (55.7 [41.0-91.4] versus 60.2 [48.8-208.7.0] pg/mg creatinine; P = 0.44) and did not change over part B (CXCL10 [pg/mg creatinine]: from 58 [46.3-93.1] to 67.4 [41.5-132.0] pg/mL creatinine; P = 0.95). Similar results were obtained for serum CXCL10. There was no association between biomarker levels and resolution of molecular and morphologic AMR activity. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that IL-6 blockade does not significantly affect levels of dd-cfDNA[%] and CXCL10. Subtle responses to this therapeutic principle may be overlooked by early biomarker surveillance.
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15
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Mayer KA, Omic H, Weseslindtner L, Doberer K, Reindl-Schwaighofer R, Viard T, Tillgren A, Haindl S, Casas S, Eskandary F, Heinzel A, Kozakowski N, Kikić Ž, Böhmig GA, Eder M. Levels of donor-derived cell-free DNA and chemokines in BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy. Clin Transplant 2022; 36:e14785. [PMID: 35894263 PMCID: PMC10078585 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) carries a risk of irreversible allograft injury. While detection of BK viremia and biopsy assessment are the current diagnostic gold standard, the diagnostic value of biomarkers reflecting tissue injury (donor-derived cell-free DNA [dd-cfDNA]) or immune activation (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand [CXCL]9 and CXCL10) remains poorly defined. METHODS For this retrospective study, 19 cases of BKPyVAN were selected from the Vienna transplant cohort (biopsies performed between 2012 and 2019). Eight patients with T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), 17 with antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) and 10 patients without polyomavirus nephropathy or rejection served as controls. Fractions of dd-cfDNA were quantified using next-generation sequencing and CXCL9 and CXCL10 were detected using multiplex immunoassays. RESULTS BKPyVAN was associated with a slight increase in dd-cfDNA (median; interquartile range: .38% [.27%-1.2%] vs. .21% [.12%-.34%] in non-rejecting control patients; p = .005). Levels were far lower than in ABMR (1.2% [.82%-2.5%]; p = .004]), but not different from TCMR (.54% [.26%-3.56%]; p = .52). Within the BKPyVAN cohort, we found no relationship between dd-cfDNA levels and the extent of tubulo-interstitial infiltrates, BKPyVAN class and BK viremia/viruria, respectively. In some contrast to dd-cfDNA, concentrations of urinary CXCL9 and CXCL10 exceeded those detected in ABMR, but similar increases were also found in TCMR. CONCLUSION BKPyVAN can induce moderate increases in dd-cfDNA and concomitant high urinary excretion of chemokines, but this pattern may be indistinguishable from that of TCMR. Our results argue against a significant value of these biomarkers to reliably distinguish BKPyVAN from rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina A Mayer
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Haris Omic
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Konstantin Doberer
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roman Reindl-Schwaighofer
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thierry Viard
- CareDx Inc., Brisbane, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Susanne Haindl
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Silvia Casas
- CareDx Inc., Brisbane, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Farsad Eskandary
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Heinzel
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Željko Kikić
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg A Böhmig
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Eder
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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16
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The Current State of Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA Use in Allograft Monitoring in Kidney Transplantation. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12101700. [PMID: 36294839 PMCID: PMC9605518 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal transplantation is the definitive therapy for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. Though there have been significant advances in immunosuppression in these patients, there is still up to 30% acute and subclinical rejection. Current standards employ lab markers of renal function and biopsy results for accurate diagnosis. However, donor derived cell-free DNA has been identified as a measurable lab test that may be able to adequately diagnose rejection at early stages, precluding the need for invasive procedures like biopsy. We obtained published data directly from companies that offer ddcfDNA assay tests and additionally conducted a literature review using databases like PUBMED and NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine. We comprehensively compare the most used ddcfDNA assays, delineate their respective limitations, and further explore future directions in the utility of ddcfDNA in renal transplant patients.
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17
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Louis K, Lefaucheur C. DSA in solid organ transplantation: is it a matter of specificity, amount, or functional characteristics? Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2022; 27:392-398. [PMID: 35881421 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000001006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The present review describes the clinical relevance of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) donor-specific antibodies (HLA-DSAs) as biomarkers of alloimmunity and summarizes recent improvements in their characterization that provide insights into immune risk assessment, precision diagnosis, and prognostication in transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have addressed the clinical utility of HLA-DSAs as biomarkers for immune risk assessment in pretransplant and peritransplant, diagnosis and treatment evaluation of antibody-mediated rejection, immune monitoring posttransplant, and risk stratification. SUMMARY HLA-DSAs have proved to be the most advanced immune biomarkers in solid organ transplantation in terms of analytical validity, clinical validity and clinical utility. Recent studies are integrating multiple HLA-DSA characteristics including antibody specificity, HLA class, quantity, immunoglobulin G subclass, and complement-binding capacity to improve risk assessment peritransplant, diagnosis and treatment evaluation of antibody-mediated rejection, immune monitoring posttransplant, and transplant prognosis evaluation. In addition, integration of HLA-DSAs to clinical, functional and histological transplant parameters has further consolidated the utility of HLA-DSAs as robust biomarkers and allows to build new tools for monitoring, precision diagnosis, and risk stratification for individual patients. However, prospective and randomized-controlled studies addressing the clinical benefit and cost-effectiveness of HLA-DSA-based monitoring and patient management strategies are required to demonstrate that the use of HLA-DSAs as biomarkers can improve current clinical practice and transplant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Louis
- Kidney Transplant Department, Saint Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris
- Human Immunology and Immunopathology, Université de Paris
| | - Carmen Lefaucheur
- Kidney Transplant Department, Saint Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris
- Paris Translational Research Center for Organ Transplantation, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale UMR-S970, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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18
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Combining donor-derived cell-free DNA and donor specific antibody testing as non-invasive biomarkers for rejection in kidney transplantation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15061. [PMID: 36064740 PMCID: PMC9445050 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19017-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Donor specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) and donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) have lead to substantial progress in the non-invasive monitoring of the renal allograft by being able to detect or rule out subclinical rejection and guide immunosuppressive changes. In this study we sought to analyze the clinical, de novo DSA (dnDSA) and histological determinants of dd-cfDNA levels. The study included a cohort of stable renal function kidney transplant (KT) recipients who underwent anti-HLA dnDSA and dd-cfDNA testing between September 2017-December 2019. Statistical models were constructed to detect association with predictors of dd-cfDNA levels and other clinical characteristics. 171 renal allograft recipients were tested for dd-cfDNA and dnDSA at a median 1.06 years posttransplant (IQR: 0.37–4.63). Median dd-cfDNA was 0.25% (IQR: 0.19–0.51), 18.7% of patients having a dd-cfDNA ≥ 1%. In a multivariate linear regression model the presence of dnDSA MFI ≥ 2500 was the best independent determinant of dd-cfDNA level (p < 0.001). Among patients tested, 54 had concurrent dd-cfDNA determination at the time of an allograft biopsy. dd-cfDNA had an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI 0.69–0.91; p < 0.001) and of 0.96 (95% CI 0.87–0.99) to discriminate any rejection and ABMR, respectively. After multivariate adjustment, the models that included ABMR (R = 0.82, R2 = 0.67, p < 0.001), or ptc (R = 0.79, R2 = 0.63, p < 0.001) showed the best correlation with dd-cfDNA level. We are confirming a strong association of dd-cfDNA with dnDSA and underlying alloimmune-mediated injury in renal allograft recipients in a cohort of patients with unsuspecting clinical characteristics for rejection and excellent allograft function. Our findings support the need for noninvasive biomarker surveillance in KT recipients and we propose that dd-cfDNA may complement dnDSA screening.
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19
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Guo L, Shen J, Lei W, Yan P, Wang M, Zhou Q, Wang H, Wu J, Chen J, Wang R. Plasma Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA Levels Are Associated With the Inflammatory Burden and Macrophage Extracellular Trap Activity in Renal Allografts. Front Immunol 2022; 13:796326. [PMID: 35386710 PMCID: PMC8977515 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.796326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have confirmed the role of plasma donor-derived cell-free DNA (ddcfDNA) as a reliable non-invasive biomarker for allograft injury after kidney transplantation. Whereas the variability of plasma ddcfDNA levels among recipients has limited their clinical use. This study aimed to explore the intrinsic factors associated with plasma ddcfDNA elevation by investigating the impact of Banff lesions and inflammatory infiltrates on ddcfDNA levels in kidney transplant recipients. From March 2017 to September 2019, a total of 106 kidney transplant recipients with matched allograft biopsies were included, consisting of 13 recipients with normal/nonspecific changes, 13 recipients with borderline changes, 60 with T cell-mediated rejection, and 20 with antibody-mediated rejection. Histologic classification was performed according to the Banff 2017 criteria by two experienced pathologists. Plasma ddcfDNA fractions ranged from 0.12% to 10.22%, with a median level of 0.91%. Banff histology subelements including glomerulitis, intimal arteritis, and severe interstitial inflammation were correlated with increased plasma ddcfDNA levels. The inflammatory cell infiltrate in the allografts was phenotyped by immunochemistry and automatically counted by digital image recognition. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between macrophage infiltrations in allografts and plasma ddcfDNA levels. Additionally, macrophage extracellular trap (MET) activity was significantly associated with the rise in plasma ddcfDNA levels. Our findings demonstrated that plasma ddcfDNA could reflect the inflammatory state in renal allografts and suggested the potential role of METs in the pathogenesis of allograft injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luying Guo
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Hangzhou, China.,National Key Clinical Department of Kidney Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia Shen
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Hangzhou, China.,National Key Clinical Department of Kidney Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenhua Lei
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Hangzhou, China.,National Key Clinical Department of Kidney Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pengpeng Yan
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Hangzhou, China.,National Key Clinical Department of Kidney Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meifang Wang
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Hangzhou, China.,National Key Clinical Department of Kidney Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qin Zhou
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Hangzhou, China.,National Key Clinical Department of Kidney Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huiping Wang
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Hangzhou, China.,National Key Clinical Department of Kidney Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianyong Wu
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Hangzhou, China.,National Key Clinical Department of Kidney Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianghua Chen
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Hangzhou, China.,National Key Clinical Department of Kidney Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rending Wang
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Hangzhou, China.,National Key Clinical Department of Kidney Diseases, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urinary System Disease, Hangzhou, China
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20
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Early Experience Using Donor-derived Cell-free DNA for Surveillance of Rejection Following Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation. Transplant Direct 2022; 8:e1321. [PMID: 35415217 PMCID: PMC8989777 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Allograft biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing graft rejection following simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant. Intraperitoneal biopsies are technically challenging and can be burdensome to patients and the healthcare system. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is well-studied in kidney transplant recipients; however, it has not yet been studied in the SPK population. Methods. We hypothesized that dd-cfDNA could be utilized for rejection surveillance following SPK transplant. We prospectively collected dd-cfDNA in 46 SPK patients at a single institution. Results. There were 10 rejection events, 5 of which were confirmed with biopsy. The other 5 were treated based on dd-cfDNA and clinical data alone with favorable outcomes. Among all patients who did not have rejection, 97% had dd-cfDNA <0.5%. Dd-cfDNA may also help differentiate rejection from graft injury (ie, pancreatitis) with median values in rejection 2.25%, injury 0.36%, and quiescence 0.18% (P = 0.0006). Conclusions. Similar to kidneys, dd-cfDNA shows promise for rejection surveillance in SPK transplant recipients.
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21
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Lum EL, Lee S, Zuckerman J, Bunnapradist S. Subclinical non-HLA AMR detection and monitoring with surveillance dd-cfDNA in a kidney transplant recipient. TRANSPLANTATION REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tpr.2022.100092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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22
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Lewis D, Glehn-Ponsirenas R, Gulbahce N, Hooey LJ, Chaffin JM, Miles J, Woodward R, Duarte S, Beduschi T, Zarrinpar A. High levels of donor-derived cell-free DNA in a case of graft-versus-host-disease following liver transplantation. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:973-976. [PMID: 34825479 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The diagnosis of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) after solid organ transplantation is made difficult by its variable clinical presentation and lack of sensitive and specific biomarkers to evaluate the immune state of transplant recipients. Emerging noninvasive diagnostic techniques like the quantification of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) for surveillance may improve the current standard-of-care. Herein, we report the use of this methodology in a patient with GVHD and corresponding levels of dd-cfDNA without any evidence of graft injury. Correlation of dd-cfDNA levels with the clinical course and its novel application here could lead to improvements in the rapid diagnosis of GVHD and in monitoring of response to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan Lewis
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | | | - Natali Gulbahce
- Research & Development Department, CareDx, Inc., Brisbane, California
| | - Leah J Hooey
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Joanna M Chaffin
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jake Miles
- Medical Affairs Department, CareDx, Inc., Brisbane, California
| | - Robert Woodward
- Research & Development Department, CareDx, Inc., Brisbane, California
| | - Sergio Duarte
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Thiago Beduschi
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ali Zarrinpar
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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23
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Edwards RL, Menteer J, Lestz RM, Baxter-Lowe LA. Cell-free DNA as a solid-organ transplant biomarker: technologies and approaches. Biomark Med 2022; 16:401-415. [PMID: 35195028 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2021-0968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High-quality biomarkers that detect emergent graft damage and/or rejection after solid-organ transplantation offer new opportunities to improve post-transplant monitoring, allow early therapeutic intervention and facilitate personalized patient management. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (DD-cfDNA) is a particularly exciting minimally invasive biomarker because it has the potential to be quantitative, time-sensitive and cost-effective. Increased DD-cfDNA has been associated with graft damage and rejection episodes. Efforts are underway to further improve sensitivity and specificity. This review summarizes the procedures used to process and detect DD-cfDNA, measurement of DD-cfDNA in clinical transplantation, approaches for improving sensitivity and specificity and long-term prospects as a transplant biomarker to supplement traditional organ monitoring and invasive biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Edwards
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Jondavid Menteer
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.,Division of Cardiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Rachel M Lestz
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.,Division of Nephrology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Lee Ann Baxter-Lowe
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
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24
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Westphal SG, Mannon RB. Emerging biomarkers in kidney transplantation and challenge of clinical implementation. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2022; 27:15-21. [PMID: 34939960 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite improvement in short-term outcomes after kidney transplantation, long-term outcomes remain suboptimal. Conventional biomarkers are limited in their ability to reliably identify early immunologic and nonimmunologic injury. Novel biomarkers are needed for noninvasive diagnosis of subclinical injury, prediction of response to treatment, and personalization of the care of kidney transplant recipients. RECENT FINDINGS Recent biotechnological advances have led to the discovery of promising molecular biomarker candidates. However, translating potential biomarkers from bench to clinic is challenging, and many potential biomarkers are abandoned prior to clinical implementation. Despite these challenges, several promising urine, blood, and tissue novel molecular biomarkers have emerged and are approaching incorporation into clinical practice. SUMMARY This article highlights the challenges in adopting biomarker-driven posttransplant management and reviews several promising emerging novel biomarkers that are approaching clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott G Westphal
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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25
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Donor-derived Cell-free DNA Complements De Novo Class II DSA in Detecting Late Alloimmune Injury Post Kidney Transplantation. Transplant Direct 2022; 8:e1285. [PMID: 35187211 PMCID: PMC8806361 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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26
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Nie W, Su X, Liu L, Li J, Fu Q, Li X, Wu C, Wang J, Deng R, Chen E, Yang S, Li S, Zhang H, Wang C. Dynamics of Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA at the Early Phase After Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: A Prospective Cohort Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:814517. [PMID: 35071284 PMCID: PMC8777035 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.814517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Donor-derived cell-free DNA (ddcfDNA) has been suggested as an indicator of allograft injury in adult and pediatric kidney transplantation (KTx). However, the dynamics of ddcfDNA in pediatric KTx have not been investigated. In addition, it has not been demonstrated whether donor-recipient (D/R) size mismatch affect ddcfDNA level. Methods: Pediatric KTx recipients with a single donor kidney were enrolled and followed up for 1 year. ddcfDNA, calculated as a fraction (%) in the recipient plasma, was examined longitudinally within 3 months post-transplant. D/R size mismatch degree was described as D/R height ratio. The 33rd percentile of D/R height ratio (0.70) was used as the cut-off to divide the patients into low donor-recipient height ratio group (<0.70) and high donor-recipient height ratio group (≥0.70). The dynamics of ddcfDNA were analyzed and the impact factors were explored. Stable ddcfDNA was defined as the first lowest ddcfDNA. ddcfDNA flare-up was defined as a remarkable elevation by a proportion of >30% from stable value with a peak value >1% during elevation. Results: Twenty-one clinically stable recipients were enrolled. The median D/R height ratio was 0.83 (0.62–0.88). It took a median of 8 days for ddcfDNA to drop from day 1 and reach a stable value of 0.67% (0.46–0.73%). Nevertheless, 61.5% patients presented ddcfDNA>1% at day 30. Besides, 81.0% (17/21) of patients experienced elevated ddcfDNA and 47.6% (10/21) met the standard of ddcfDNA flare-up. Donor-recipient height ratio was an independent risk factor for ddcfDNA flare-up (odds ratio = 0.469 per 0.1, 95% CI 0.237–0.925, p = 0.029) and low donor-recipient height ratio (<0.70) was found to increase the risk of flare-up occurrence (odds ratio = 15.00, 95% CI 1.342–167.638, p = 0.028). Conclusions: ddcfDNA rebounds in many stable pediatric KTx recipients without rejection. This may be induced by significant D/R size mismatch and may affect its diagnostic performance at the early phase after pediatric KTx in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijian Nie
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Su
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Longshan Liu
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Li
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Fu
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xirui Li
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenglin Wu
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiali Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ronghai Deng
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - E Chen
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shicong Yang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shujuan Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huanxi Zhang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changxi Wang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
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27
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Bu L, Gupta G, Pai A, Anand S, Stites E, Moinuddin I, Bowers V, Jain P, Axelrod DA, Weir MR, Wolf-Doty TK, Zeng J, Tian W, Qu K, Woodward R, Dholakia S, De Golovine A, Bromberg JS, Murad H, Alhamad T. Validation and clinical outcome in assessing donor-derived cell-free DNA monitoring insights of kidney allografts with longitudinal surveillance (ADMIRAL) study. Kidney Int 2021; 101:793-803. [PMID: 34953773 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The use of routine monitoring of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) after kidney transplant may allow clinicians to identify subclinical allograft injury and intervene prior to development of clinically evident graft injury. To evaluate this, data from 1092 kidney transplant recipients monitored for dd-cfDNA over a three year period was analyzed to assess the association of dd-cfDNA with histologic evidence of allograft rejection. Elevation of dd-cfDNA (0.5% or more) was significantly correlated with clinical and subclinical allograft rejection. dd-cfDNA values of 0.5% or more were associated with a nearly three-fold increase in risk development of de novo donor specific antibodies (hazard ratio 2.71) and were determined to be elevated a median of 91 days (inter quartile range of 30-125 days) ahead of donor specific antibody identification. Persistently elevated dd-cfDNA (more than one result above the 0.5% threshold) predicted over a 25% decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate over three years (hazard ratio 1.97). Therefore, routine monitoring of dd-cfDNA allowed early identification of clinically important graft injury. Biomarker monitoring complemented histology and traditional laboratory surveillance strategies as a prognostic marker and risk-stratification tool post-transplant. Thus, persistently low dd-cfDNA levels may accurately identify allograft quiescence, or absence of injury, paving the way for personalization of immunosuppression trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Akshta Pai
- University of Texas Health Science Center, Memorial Hermann Hospital
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28
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Chang JH, Alvarado Verduzco H, Toma K, Sritharan S, Mohan S, Husain SA. Donor-derived cell-free DNA and renal allograft rejection in surveillance biopsies and indication biopsies. Clin Transplant 2021; 36:e14561. [PMID: 34913202 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate the role of circulating dd-cfDNA in allograft surveillance in immunologically high-risk patients, a retrospective cross-sectional study of 261 kidney transplant recipients who underwent outpatient allograft biopsy at our center between September 2020 and August 2021 was performed. Of the 236 dd-cfDNA results included, 37 samples were obtained at the time of a surveillance biopsy in sensitized recipients and 199 at the time of a clinically indicated biopsy. The median serum creatinine at the time of the biopsy was 1.3 mg/dl and 2.1 mg/dl for surveillance biopsies and clinically indicated biopsies, respectively (p<0.001). Rejection was diagnosed in 27% of surveillance biopsies and 29% of clinically indicated biopsies. Among surveillance biopsies, sensitivity and specificity to detect rejection were 0% and 89%, respectively, and among clinically indicated biopsies they were 28% and 96%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity to detect antibody-mediated rejection were 0% and 91% among surveillance biopsies and 50% and 94% among clinically indicated biopsies. Nine biopsies without rejection findings had corresponding dd-cfDNA of ≥1%. Our data does not support dd-cfDNA as a biomarker for kidney allograft rejection, even in immunologically high-risk patients in the absence of graft dysfunction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hyung Chang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hector Alvarado Verduzco
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Katherine Toma
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sharlinee Sritharan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States.,Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) group, New York, NY, United States
| | - Syed Ali Husain
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States.,Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) group, New York, NY, United States
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29
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Chopra B, Sureshkumar KK. Emerging role of cell-free DNA in kidney transplantation. World J Exp Med 2021; 11:55-65. [PMID: 34877265 PMCID: PMC8611196 DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v11.i5.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Monitoring kidney transplants for rejection conventionally includes serum creatinine, immunosuppressive drug levels, proteinuria, and donor-specific antibody (DSA). Serum creatinine is a late marker of allograft injury, and the predictive ability of DSA regarding risk of rejection is variable. Histological analysis of an allograft biopsy is the standard method for diagnosing rejection but is invasive, inconvenient, and carries risk of complications. There has been a long quest to find a perfect biomarker that noninvasively predicts tissue injury caused by rejection at an early stage, so that diagnosis and treatment could be pursued without delay in order to minimize irreversible damage to the allograft. In this review, we discuss relatively novel research on identifying biomarkers of tissue injury, specifically elaborating on donor-derived cell-free DNA, and its clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavna Chopra
- Nephrology and Hypertension, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, United States
| | - Kalathil K Sureshkumar
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, United State
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30
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Qazi Y, Patel A, Fajardo M, McCormick S, Fehringer G, Ahmed E, Malhotra M, Demko ZP, Billings PR, Tabriziani H, Gauthier P. Incorporation of Donor-derived Cell-free DNA Into Clinical Practice for Renal Allograft Management. Transplant Proc 2021; 53:2866-2872. [PMID: 34774309 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2021.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in plasma is an established noninvasive biomarker for allograft injury and rejection. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based massively multiplexed polymerase chain reaction methodology can be used to quantify dd-cfDNA in kidney transplant recipients. In this study we describe our clinical experience in using a SNP-based dd-cfDNA assay for the management of active rejection in renal transplant recipients. METHODS To assess the clinical utility of a clinically available SNP-based massively multiplexed polymerase chain reaction dd-cfDNA assay, we analyzed biopsy data contemporaneous to dd-cfDNA results at 33 participating clinics and calculated the rate of rejection in dd-cfDNA-matched biopsy results. RESULTS A total of 1347 dd-cfDNA test samples from 879 patients were accessioned from October 3, 2019, to November 2, 2020. The dd-cfDNA testing classified 25.2% (340/1347) of samples as high-risk (dd-cfDNA fraction ≥ 1%). Clinical follow-up was available for 32.1% (109/340) of the high-risk results, which included samples from 28 patients with definitive biopsy results within 2 weeks of dd-cfDNA testing. Pathology reports indicated a 64% (18/28) rate of active rejection in biopsy result-matched samples. Total cfDNA measurements indicated a skewed distribution and a correlation with dd-cfDNA-derived patient risk classification. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report showing the impact of dd-cfDNA on patient management in a multicenter real-world clinical cohort. The data indicate that incorporating dd-cfDNA testing into practice may improve physician decision making regarding renal allograft recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Qazi
- Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Anup Patel
- Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, New Jersey
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31
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Filippone EJ, Gulati R, Farber JL. Noninvasive Assessment of the Alloimmune Response in Kidney Transplantation. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis 2021; 28:548-560. [PMID: 35367023 DOI: 10.1053/j.ackd.2021.08.002] [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: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Transplantation remains the optimal mode of kidney replacement therapy, but unfortunately long-term graft survival after 1 year remains suboptimal. The main mechanism of chronic allograft injury is alloimmune, and current clinical monitoring of kidney transplants includes measuring serum creatinine, proteinuria, and immunosuppressive drug levels. The most important biomarker routinely monitored is human leukocyte antigen (HLA) donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) with the frequency based on underlying immunologic risk. HLA-DSA should be measured if there is graft dysfunction, immunosuppression minimization, or nonadherence. Antibody strength is semiquantitatively estimated as mean fluorescence intensity, with titration studies for equivocal cases and for following response to treatment. Determination of in vitro C1q or C3d positivity or HLA-DSA IgG subclass analysis remains of uncertain significance, but we do not recommend these for routine use. Current evidence does not support routine monitoring of non-HLA antibodies except anti-angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies when the phenotype is appropriate. The monitoring of both donor-derived cell-free DNA in blood or gene expression profiling of serum and/or urine may detect subclinical rejection, although mainly as a supplement and not as a replacement for biopsy. The optimal frequency and cost-effectiveness of using these noninvasive assays remain to be determined. We review the available literature and make recommendations.
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32
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Jackson AM, Amato-Menker C, Bettinotti M. Cell-free DNA diagnostics in transplantation utilizing next generation sequencing. Hum Immunol 2021; 82:850-858. [PMID: 34600770 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to interrogate cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a transplant diagnostic provides a crucial step in improving the accuracy of post-transplant monitoring of allograft health. cfDNA interrogation provides a powerful, yet minimally invasive, biomarker for disease and tissue injury. cfDNA can be isolated from a variety of body fluids and analyzed using bioinformatics to unlock its origins. Furthermore, cfDNA characteristics can reveal the mechanisms and conditions under which it was generated and released. In transplantation, donor-derived cfDNA monitoring provides a tool for identifying active allograft injury at the time of transplant, infection, and rejection. Multiple detection and interrogation methods for cfDNA detection are now being evaluated for clinical validity and hold the promise to provide minimally invasive, quantitative, and reproducible measures of allograft injury across organ types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette M Jackson
- Duke University, Department of Surgery, DUMC Box 2645, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Carly Amato-Menker
- West Virginia University, Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Maria Bettinotti
- Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology, 2041 E. Monument Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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33
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Ehlayel A, Simms KJA, Ashoor IF. Emerging monitoring technologies in kidney transplantation. Pediatr Nephrol 2021; 36:3077-3087. [PMID: 33523298 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-021-04929-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive technologies to monitor kidney allograft health utilizing high-throughput assays of blood and urine specimens are emerging out of the research realm and slowly becoming part of everyday clinical practice. HLA epitope analysis and eplet mismatch score determination promise a more refined approach to the pre-transplant recipient-donor HLA matching that may lead to reduced rejection risk. High-resolution HLA typing and multiplex single antigen bead assays are identifying potential new offending HLA antibody subtypes. There is increasing recognition of the deleterious role non-HLA antibodies play in post-transplant outcomes. Donor-derived cell-free DNA detected by next-generation sequencing is a promising biomarker for kidney transplant rejection. Multi-omics techniques are shedding light on discrete genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic signatures that correlate with and predict allograft outcomes. Over the next decade, a comprehensive approach to optimize kidney matching and monitor transplant recipients for acute and chronic graft dysfunction will likely involve a combination of those emerging technologies summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulla Ehlayel
- Children's Hospital New Orleans, 200 Henry Clay Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA
| | - K'joy J A Simms
- Children's Hospital New Orleans, 200 Henry Clay Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA
| | - Isa F Ashoor
- Children's Hospital New Orleans, 200 Henry Clay Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, LSU Health New Orleans, 200 Henry Clay Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.
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Akalin E, Weir MR, Bunnapradist S, Brennan DC, Delos Santos R, Langone A, Djamali A, Xu H, Jin X, Dholakia S, Woodward RN, Bromberg JS. Clinical Validation of an Immune Quiescence Gene Expression Signature in Kidney Transplantation. KIDNEY360 2021; 2:1998-2009. [PMID: 35419538 PMCID: PMC8986041 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0005062021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Despite advances in immune suppression, kidney allograft rejection and other injuries remain a significant clinical concern, particularly with regards to long-term allograft survival. Evaluation of immune activity can provide information about rejection status and help guide interventions to extend allograft life. Here, we describe the validation of a blood gene expression classifier developed to differentiate immune quiescence from both T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) and antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). Methods A five-gene classifier (DCAF12, MARCH8, FLT3, IL1R2, and PDCD1) was developed on 56 peripheral blood samples and validated on two sample sets independent of the training cohort. The primary validation set comprised 98 quiescence samples and 18 rejection samples: seven TCMR, ten ABMR, and one mixed rejection. The second validation set included eight quiescence and 11 rejection samples: seven TCMR, two ABMR, and two mixed rejection. AlloSure donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) was also evaluated. Results AlloMap Kidney classifier scores in the primary validation set differed significantly between quiescence (median, 9.49; IQR, 7.68-11.53) and rejection (median, 13.09; IQR, 11.25-15.28), with P<0.001. In the second validation set, the cohorts were statistically different (P=0.03) and the medians were similar to the primary validation set. The AUC for discriminating rejection from quiescence was 0.786 for the primary validation and 0.800 for the second validation. AlloMap Kidney results were not significantly correlated with AlloSure, although both were elevated in rejection. The ability to discriminate rejection from quiescence was improved when AlloSure and AlloMap Kidney were used together (AUC, 0.894). Conclusion Validation of AlloMap Kidney demonstrated the ability to differentiate between rejection and immune quiescence using a range of scores. The diagnostic performance suggests that assessment of the mechanisms of immunologic activity is complementary to allograft injury information derived from AlloSure dd-cfDNA. Together, these biomarkers offer a more comprehensive assessment of allograft health and immune quiescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enver Akalin
- Division of Nephrology, Kidney Transplant Program, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Matthew R. Weir
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Suphamai Bunnapradist
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Daniel C. Brennan
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rowena Delos Santos
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Anthony Langone
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Medical Specialties Clinic, Veteran Affairs Hospital Renal Transplant Program, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Arjang Djamali
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Hua Xu
- Research and Development, CareDx, Brisbane, California
| | - Xia Jin
- Research and Development, CareDx, Brisbane, California
| | - Sham Dholakia
- Medical Affairs, CareDx, South San Francisco, California
| | | | - Jonathan S. Bromberg
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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35
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Garg N, Mandelbrot DA, Parajuli S, Aziz F, Astor BC, Chandraker A, Djamali A. The clinical value of donor-derived cell-free DNA measurements in kidney transplantation. Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2021; 35:100649. [PMID: 34507254 DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2021.100649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Early diagnosis is critical to minimizing the damage rejection can do to the transplanted kidney. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) represents non-encapsulated fragmented DNA that is continuously shed into the bloodstream from the allograft undergoing injury, with a half-life of about 30 min. This article reviews the available evidence regarding the diagnostic value of dd-cfDNA in kidney transplantation, as a result of which two assays, Allosure and Prospera, have garnered Medicare approval. We provide information on important scenarios and contexts including antibody-mediated rejection, T-cell mediated rejection, pre-test probability of rejection, timing of the test, repeat transplants, and background cell-free DNA levels to help our understanding of the test characteristics and utility of these assays in clinical practice. Data on multimodality assays including gene expression profiles and serial monitoring of dd-cfDNA in high risk situations are emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neetika Garg
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Didier A Mandelbrot
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Sandesh Parajuli
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Fahad Aziz
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Brad C Astor
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Anil Chandraker
- Transplantation Research Center, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Arjang Djamali
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA; Division of Transplant Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison, WI, USA.
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36
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Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA to Diagnose Graft Rejection Post-Transplant: Past, Present and Future. TRANSPLANTOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/transplantology2030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a non-invasive biomarker that is more sensitive and specific towards diagnosing any graft injury or rejection. Due to its applicability over all transplanted organs irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, and the non-requirement of a donor sample, it emerges as a new gold standard for graft health and rejection monitoring. Published research articles describing the role and efficiency of dd-cfDNA were identified and scrutinized to acquire a brief understanding of the history, evolution, emergence, role, efficiency, and applicability of dd-cfDNA in the field of transplantation. The dd-cfDNA can be quantified using quantitative PCR, next-generation sequencing, and droplet digital PCR, and there is a commendatory outcome in terms of diagnosing graft injury and monitoring graft health. The increased levels of dd-cfDNA can diagnose the rejection prior to any other presently used biochemistry or immunological assay methods. Biopsies are performed when these tests show any signs of injury and/or rejection. Therefore, by the time these tests predict and show any unusual or improper activity of the graft, the graft is already damaged by almost 50%. This review elucidates the evolution, physiology, techniques, limitations, and prospects of dd-cfDNA as a biomarker for post-transplant graft damage and rejection.
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37
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Kim J, Kim DM, Park YJ, Lee ST, Kim HS, Kim MS, Kim BS, Choi JR. Expanding the Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Acute Rejection in Kidney Transplants Through Detection of Donor-Derived DNA in Urine: Proof-of-Concept Study. Ann Lab Med 2021; 41:469-478. [PMID: 33824235 PMCID: PMC8041594 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2021.41.5.469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Approximately 10%-20% of kidney transplant (KT) recipients suffer from acute rejection (AR); thus, sensitive and accurate monitoring of allograft status is recommended. We evaluated the clinical utility of donor-derived DNA (dd-DNA) detection in the urine of KT recipients as a non-invasive means for diagnosing AR. Methods Urine samples serially collected from 39 KT recipients were tested for 39 single-nucleotide variant loci selected according to technical criteria (i.e., high minor allele frequency and low analytical error) using next-generation sequencing. The fraction of dd-DNA was calculated and normalized by the urine creatinine (UCr) level (%dd-DNA/UCr). The diagnostic performance of %dd-DNA/UCr for AR was assessed by ROC curve analysis. Results There was an increasing trend of %dd-DNA/UCr in the AR group before subsequent graft injury, which occurred before (median of 52 days) histological rejection. The serum creatinine (SCr) level differed significantly between the AR and non-AR groups at two and four months of follow-up, whereas %dd-DNA/UCr differed between the groups at six months of follow-up. The combination of %dd-DNA/UCr, SCr, and spot urine protein (UPtn)/UCr showed high discriminating power, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.81-1.00) and a high negative predictive value of 100.0%. Conclusions Although the dd-DNA-based test cannot eliminate the need for biopsy, the high negative predictive value of this marker could increase the prebiopsy probability of detecting treatable injury to make biopsy an even more effective diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieun Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Moung Kim
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yu Jin Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Tae Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyon-Suk Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myoung Soo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Beom Seok Kim
- Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Rak Choi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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38
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Liquid biopsies: donor-derived cell-free DNA for the detection of kidney allograft injury. Nat Rev Nephrol 2021; 17:591-603. [PMID: 34031575 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-021-00428-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In kidney transplantation, the use of minimally invasive damage biomarkers that are more sensitive and specific than plasma creatinine will be crucial to enable early, actionable detection or exclusion of structural kidney damage due to acute or chronic rejection. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA), which can be quantified, for example, through next-generation sequencing, droplet digital PCR and quantitative PCR, is a candidate biomarker with great potential for enabling comprehensive monitoring of allograft injury. dd-cfDNA has a favourable overall diagnostic performance for the detection of rejection and its high negative predictive value might be especially useful for avoiding unnecessary biopsies. Elevated dd-cfDNA levels have been shown to be detectable before graft injury can be clinically identified using current diagnostic methods. Moreover, dd-cfDNA falls rapidly to baseline levels after successful treatment for rejection owing to its short half-life. dd-cfDNA can detect graft injury caused by immune activation owing to insufficient immunosuppression and might therefore also help guide immunosuppression dosing. The fractional abundance of dd-cfDNA can be affected by changes in the recipient cfDNA (for example, due to infection or physical exercise) but the use of absolute quantification of dd-cfDNA overcomes this limitation. Serial dd-cfDNA determinations might therefore facilitate cost-effective personalized clinical management of kidney transplant recipients to reduce premature graft loss.
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39
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Mayer KA, Doberer K, Tillgren A, Viard T, Haindl S, Krivanec S, Reindl-Schwaighofer R, Eder M, Eskandary F, Casas S, Wahrmann M, Regele H, Böhmig GA. Diagnostic value of donor-derived cell-free DNA to predict antibody-mediated rejection in donor-specific antibody-positive renal allograft recipients. Transpl Int 2021; 34:1689-1702. [PMID: 34448270 PMCID: PMC8456909 DOI: 10.1111/tri.13970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Circulating donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) do not necessarily indicate antibody‐mediated rejection (ABMR). Here, we evaluated the diagnostic value of donor‐derived cell‐free DNA (dd‐cfDNA) as an add‐on to DSA detection. The study included two independent cohorts of DSA+ kidney allograft recipients, 45 subclinical cases identified by cross‐sectional antibody screening (cohort 1), and 30 recipients subjected to indication biopsies (cohort 2). About 50% of the DSA+ recipients had ABMR and displayed higher dd‐cfDNA levels than DSA+ABMR− recipients (cohort 1: 1.90% [median; IQR: 0.78–3.90%] vs. 0.52% [0.35–0.72%]; P < 0.001); (cohort 2: 1.20% [0.82–2.50%] vs. 0.59% [0.28–2.05%]; P = 0.086). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.89 and 0.69 for dd‐cfDNA, and 0.88 and 0.77 for DSA mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), respectively. In combined models, adding dd‐cfDNA to DSA‐MFI or vice versa significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy. Limited diagnostic performance of dd‐cfDNA in cohort 2 was related to the frequent finding of other types of graft injury among ABMR− recipients, like T cell‐mediated rejection or glomerulonephritis. For dd‐cfDNA in relation to injury of any cause an AUC of 0.97 was calculated. Monitoring of dd‐cfDNA in DSA+ patients may be a useful tool to detect ABMR and other types of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina A Mayer
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Konstantin Doberer
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Susanne Haindl
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Krivanec
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roman Reindl-Schwaighofer
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Eder
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Farsad Eskandary
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Silvia Casas
- CareDx Inc., Brisbane, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Markus Wahrmann
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinz Regele
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg A Böhmig
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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40
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Seiler LK, Jonczyk R, Lindner P, Phung NL, Falk CS, Kaufeld J, Gwinner W, Scheffner I, Immenschuh S, Blume C. A new lateral flow assay to detect sIL-2R during T-cell mediated rejection after kidney transplantation. Analyst 2021; 146:5369-5379. [PMID: 34337623 DOI: 10.1039/d1an01001h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Kidney is the most frequently transplanted among all solid organs worldwide. Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) undergo regular follow-up examinations for the early detection of acute rejections. The gold standard for proving a T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) is a biopsy of the renal graft often occurring as indication biopsy, in parallel to an increased serum creatinine that may indicate deterioration of renal transplant function. The goal of the current work was to establish a lateral flow assay (LFA) for diagnosing acute TCMR to avoid harmful, invasive biopsies. Soluble interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (sIl-2R) is a potential biomarker representing the α-subunit of the IL-2 receptor produced by activated T-cells, e.g., after allogen contact. To explore the diagnostic potential of sIL-2R as a biomarker for TCMR and borderline TCMR, plasma and urine samples were collected from three independent KTR cohorts with various distinct histopathological diagnostic findings according to BANFF (containing 112 rsp. 71 rsp. 61 KTRs). Samples were analyzed by a Luminex-based multiplex technique and cut off-ranges were determined. An LFA was established with two specific sIL-2R-antibodies immobilized on a nitrocellulose membrane. A significant association between TCMR, borderline TCMR and sIL-2R in plasma and between TCMR and sIL-2R in urine of KTRs was confirmed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The LFA was tested with sIL-2R-spiked buffer samples establishing a detection limit of 25 pM. The performance of the new LFA was confirmed by analyzing urine samples of the 2nd and 3rd patient cohort with 35 KTRs with biopsy proven TCMRs, 3 KTRs diagnosed with borderline TCMR, 1 mixed AMR/TCMR rsp. AMR/borderline TCMR and 13 control patients with a rejection-free kidney graft proven by protocol biopsies. The new point-of-care assay showed a specificity of 84.6% and sensitivity of 87.5%, and a superior estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at the time point of biopsy (specificity 30.8%, sensitivity 85%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa K Seiler
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstrasse 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
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41
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Donor-derived Cell-free DNA in Solid-organ Transplant Diagnostics: Indications, Limitations, and Future Directions. Transplantation 2021; 105:1203-1211. [PMID: 33534526 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The last few years have seen an explosion in clinical research focusing on the use of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in solid-organ transplants (SOT). Although most of the literature published so far focuses on kidney transplants, there are several recent as well as ongoing research studies on heart, lung, pancreas, and liver transplants. Though initially studied as a noninvasive means of identifying subclinical or acute rejection in SOT, it is rapidly becoming clear that instead of being a specific marker for allograft rejection, dd-cfDNA is more appropriately described as a marker of severe injury, although the most common cause of this injury is allograft rejection. Multiple studies in kidney transplants have shown that although sensitivity for the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection is excellent, it is less so for T-cell-mediated rejection. It is possible that combining dd-cfDNA with other novel urine- or blood-based biomarkers may increase the sensitivity for the diagnosis of rejection. Irrespective of the cause, though, elevated dd-cfDNA seems to portend adverse allograft prognosis and formation of de novo donor-specific antibody. Although current data do not lend themselves to a clear conclusion, ongoing studies may reveal the utility of serial surveillance for the management of SOT as following levels of dd-cfDNA over time may provide windows of opportunity to intervene early and before irreversible allograft injury. Finally, cost-effectiveness studies will be needed to guide the ideal incorporation of dd-cfDNA into routine clinical practice.
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42
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Diagnostic Accuracy of Donor-derived Cell-free DNA in Renal-allograft Rejection: A Meta-analysis. Transplantation 2021; 105:1303-1310. [PMID: 32890130 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a potential noninvasive molecular marker of graft rejection after kidney transplant, whose diagnostic accuracy remains controversial. METHODS We performed a systematic review and metaanalysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dd-cfDNA. Relevant literature was searched from online databases, and the data on the diagnostic accuracy of discriminating main rejection episodes (MRE) and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) were merged, respectively. RESULTS Nine studies were included in the metaanalysis, of which 6 were focused on the diagnostic accuracy of dd-cfDNA for MRE, whose pooled sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristics curve, diagnostic odds ratio, overall positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio with 95% confidence intervals were 0.70 (0.57-0.81), 0.78 (0.70-0.84), 0.81 (0.77-0.84), 8.18 (5.11-13.09), 3.15 (2.47-4.02), and 0.39 (0.27-0.55), respectively. Five tests were focused on discriminating AMR, whose pooled indicators were 0.84 (0.75-0.90), 0.80 (0.74-0.84), 0.89 (0.86-0.91), 20.48 (10.76-38.99), 4.13(3.21-5.33), and 0.20(0.12-0.33), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Donor-derived cell-free DNA can be a helpful marker for the diagnosis of AMR among those recipients suspected of renal dysfunction. Its diagnostic accuracy on the MRE remains uncertain, which requires further prospective, large-scale, multicenter, and common population research.
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43
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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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44
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Di W, Ran Q, Yang H, Lu J, Hou Y, Wang X, He J, Wei L. Use of graft-derived cell-free DNA as a novel biomarker to predict allograft function after kidney transplantation. Int J Urol 2021; 28:1019-1025. [PMID: 34229363 DOI: 10.1111/iju.14638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between graft-derived cell-free DNA and pretransplantation clinical variables, and to determine whether the former could be used as a novel biomarker to predict renal function. METHODS A total of 87 recipients who underwent primary kidney transplantation were recruited to the study. For each recipient, 10 mL peripheral blood was collected on days 1, 7, 14-20, and 30-45 after transplantation. The fractional abundance of graft-derived cell-free DNA was determined using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS For most recipients, graft-derived cell-free DNA fraction values were significantly elevated on the first day after transplantation, followed by a rapid decline, and reaching baseline values of graft-derived cell-free DNA fraction in the range of <1% at 7 days. Statistical analysis showed that longer cold ischemia time was significantly associated with higher graft-derived cell-free DNA fraction values (P = 0.02). Moreover, we also found that graft-derived cell-free DNA fraction values among recipients with delayed graft function were significantly higher than those of recipients without delayed graft function on the first day after transplantation. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that recipients who had a graft-derived cell-free DNA fraction value of <1% at 7 days had a significantly lower probability of an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 90 days. Using a random forest regression model, the predicted values of estimated glomerular filtration rate at 90 days were almost the same as the actual values. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that graft-derived cell-free DNA might be used as a novel biomarker to predict delayed graft function and renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjia Di
- Organ Transplantation Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qing Ran
- Organ Transplantation Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hongji Yang
- Organ Transplantation Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jun Lu
- S&KM Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yifu Hou
- Organ Transplantation Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- Organ Transplantation Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiayang He
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Wei
- Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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45
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Pai A, Swan JT, Wojciechowski D, Qazi Y, Dholakia S, Shekhtman G, Abou-Ismail A, Kumar D. Clinical Rationale for a Routine Testing Schedule Using Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA After Kidney Transplantation. Ann Transplant 2021; 26:e932249. [PMID: 34210952 PMCID: PMC8259349 DOI: 10.12659/aot.932249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney transplant recipients require meticulous clinical and laboratory surveillance to monitor allograft health. Conventional biomarkers, including serum creatinine and proteinuria, are lagging indicators of allograft injury, often rising only after significant and potentially irreversible damage has occurred. Immunosuppressive medication levels can be followed, but their utility is largely limited to guiding dosing changes or assessing adherence. Kidney biopsy, the criterion standard for the diagnosis and characterization of injury, is invasive and thus poorly suited for frequent surveillance. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a sensitive, noninvasive, leading indicator of allograft injury, which offers the opportunity for expedited intervention and can improve long-term allograft outcomes. This article describes the clinical rationale for a routine testing schedule utilizing dd-cfDNA surveillance at months 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 during the first year following kidney transplantation and quarterly thereafter. These time points coincide with major immunologic transition points after transplantation and provide clinicians with molecular information to help inform decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshta Pai
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joshua T Swan
- Department of Pharmacy, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Surgery Research and Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David Wojciechowski
- Division of Nephrology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yasir Qazi
- Division of Nephrology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Dhiren Kumar
- Division of Nephrology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Anand S, Lopez-Verdugo F, Sanchez-Garcia J, Dong L, Fife M, Krong J, Morris D, Srinivas TR. Longitudinal variance of Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in Stable Kidney Transplant (KTx) patients are influenced by donor/recipient variables. Clin Transplant 2021; 35:e14395. [PMID: 34165192 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The longitudinal time-course of dd-cfDNA after kidney transplant (KTx) is not well-described. The cut off values of dd-cfDNA in KTx derive from biopsy-coupled single measurements. Meaningful interpretation necessitates understanding of: (1) time variance of dd-cfDNA levels post-KTx, (2) factors determining biologic variability, and (3) relationship to donor and recipient characteristics. We hypothesized that an understanding of the aforementioned factors would better inform clinical decision-making using dd-cfDNA. METHODS One hundred and twenty five KTx patients with dd-cfDNA obtained longitudinally were included. Univariate analyses were directed at inter-patient variability and intra-patient inter-occasion variability of dd-cfDNA. Multivariate linear regression was used in analyses accounting for repeat measures. RESULTS At 1-month post KTx median dd-cfDNA: (1) were higher in repeat KTx (.57%, P < .001), and dual KTx (1.10%, P = ns) versus a first KTx (.31%); (2) showed a significant difference in donor after cardiac death (DCD [.45%]) versus living related (LRD [.27%]) donors (P = .036). Longitudinal (1-3 months) dd-cfDNA measurements showed a significant downtrend for all donor types. Panel-reactive antibodies (PRA) were positively correlated with dd-cfDNA. CONCLUSIONS Repeat Tx, dual Tx, DCD, and PRA are associated with a higher dd-cfDNA. Incorporation of donor/recipient variables and time down post transplant is material for rational interpretation of dd-cfDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjiv Anand
- Intermountain Medical Center, Transplant Services, Murray, Utah, USA
| | | | | | - Li Dong
- Intermountain Medical Center, Transplant Services, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Megan Fife
- Intermountain Medical Center, Transplant Services, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Jake Krong
- Intermountain Medical Center, Transplant Services, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Donald Morris
- Intermountain Medical Center, Transplant Services, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Titte R Srinivas
- Intermountain Medical Center, Transplant Services, Murray, Utah, USA
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Puttarajappa CM, Mehta RB, Hariharan S. Donor-derived Cell-free DNA for the Diagnosis of Kidney Transplant Rejection: An Attractive Test With Ambiguous Answers! Transplantation 2021; 105:1171-1172. [PMID: 33606484 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Correlation of Donor-Derived Cell-free DNA with Histology and Molecular Diagnoses of Kidney Transplant Biopsies. Transplantation 2021; 106:1061-1070. [PMID: 34075006 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating donor-derived cell free DNA (cfDNA), a minimally invasive diagnostic tool for kidney transplant rejection, was validated using traditional histology. The Molecular Microscope (MMDx) tissue gene expression platform may provide increased precision to traditional histology. METHODS In this single-center prospective study of 208 biopsies (median=5.8 months) post-transplant, we report on the calibration of cfDNA with simultaneous biopsy assessments using MMDx and histology by Area under the curve (AUC) analyses for optimal criterion, as well as for, previously published cfDNA cut-offs ≤0.21% to 'rule-out' rejection and ≥1% to 'rule-in' rejection. RESULTS There were significant discrepancies between histology and MMDx, with MMDx identifying more antibody-mediated rejection (65; 31%) than histology (43; 21%); the opposite was true for T-cell mediated rejection [TCMR; histology: 27 (13%) vs MMDx: 13 (6%)]. Most of the TCMR discrepancies were seen for histologic borderline/1A TCMR. AUC Curves for cfDNA and prediction of rejection were slightly better with MMDx (AUC=0.80; 95%CI: 0.74-0.86) vs. histology (AUC=0.75; 95%CI: 0.69-0.81). A cfDNA≤0.21% had similar sensitivity (~91%) to 'rule-out' rejection by histology and MMDx. Specificity was slightly higher with MMDx (92%) compared with histology (85%) to 'rule-in' rejection using cfDNA criterion≥1%. Strong positive quantitative correlations were observed between cfDNA scores and molecular acute kidney injury (AKI) for both 'rejection' and 'nonrejection' biopsies. CONCLUSIONS Molecular diagnostics using tissue gene expression and blood-based donor-derived cell-free DNA may add precision to some cases of traditional histology. The positive correlation of cfDNA with molecular AKI suggests a dose-dependent association with tissue injury irrespective of rejection characteristics.
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Donor-derived Cell-free DNA Kinetics Post-kidney Transplant Biopsy. Transplant Direct 2021; 7:e703. [PMID: 34056078 PMCID: PMC8154469 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) has generated interest as a biomarker for kidney injury including transplant (KT) rejection. It is possible that the KT biopsy procedure can cause the release of dd-cfDNA, therefore affecting the reliability of this assay in the postbiopsy period. We evaluated the effect of KT biopsy on the kinetics of dd-cfDNA. Methods. We conducted a single-arm prospective study. Samples were collected from 16 adult KT recipients undergoing KT biopsy. All participants had samples drawn within 8 h before the biopsy (prebiopsy), within 20 min (hour 0), 2 h (hour 2), and 24–48 h (hours 24–48) after the biopsy. We evaluated the change in dd-cfDNA from the prebiopsy time point to the following 3 time points after the biopsy. Results. At hour 0 and hour 2, there was a significantly larger log dd-cfDNA mean score compared with the prebiopsy score (least square mean estimate 0.4 [0.17-0.63] and 0.39 [0.09-0.68], respectively). By 24–28 h postbiopsy, there was no significant difference in log dd-cfDNA mean score compared with the prebiopsy score (least square mean estimate −0.21 [−0.6 to 0.19]). Conclusions. Mechanical injury from a KT biopsy can transiently increase circulating dd-cfDNA. The increase resolves by 24–48 h after the biopsy. Providers should wait 48 h postbiopsy to obtain dd-cfDNA levels to establish the correct baseline to be used for monitoring.
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Kant S, Brennan DC. Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA in Kidney Transplantation: Origins, Present and a Look to the Future. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57050482. [PMID: 34065914 PMCID: PMC8151129 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57050482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Since its first detection in 1948, donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) has been employed for a myriad of indications in various medical specialties. It has had a far-reaching impact in solid organ transplantation, with the most widespread utilization in kidney transplantation for the surveillance and detection of allograft rejection. The purpose of this review is to track the arc of this revolutionary test—from origins to current use—along with examining challenges and future prospects though the lens of transplant nephrology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Kant
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Daniel C. Brennan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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