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El Sabagh A, Mohamed IB, Aloor FZ, Abdelwahab A, Hassan MM, Jalal PK. Current Status of Biomarkers and Molecular Diagnostic Tools for Rejection in Liver Transplantation: Light at the End of the Tunnel? J Clin Exp Hepatol 2023; 13:139-148. [PMID: 36647415 PMCID: PMC9840072 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Strategies to minimize immune-suppressive medications after liver transplantation are limited by allograft rejection. Biopsy of liver is the current standard of care in diagnosing rejection. However, it adds to physical and economic burden to the patient and has diagnostic limitations. In this review, we aim to highlight the different biomarkers to predict and diagnose acute rejection. We also aim to explore recent advances in molecular diagnostics to improve the diagnostic yield of liver biopsies.
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Key Words
- 3BMBs, third bifurcation mucosal endo-bronchial biopsies
- AMR, antibody mediated rejection
- APC, antigen presenting cells
- AR, Acute rejection
- ATCMR, acute T-cell mediated rejection
- ATG, Anti-thymoglobulin
- AUC, area under curve
- AUROC, area under receiver operating characteristic curve
- B-HOT, Banff Human Organ Transplant
- CNI, Calcineurin inhibitors
- DSA, Donor specific antibodies
- FDA, Food and drug administration
- FFPE, formalin fixed paraffin embedded preparation
- GLUT-4, glucose transport-4
- HLA, human leukocyte antigens
- HNMR, high nuclear magnetic resonance
- ILTS, International liver transplantation society
- LT, Liver transplantation
- Liver transplantation
- MDWG, molecular diagnostic work group
- MFI, mean fluorescence intensity
- MHC, major histo–compatibility complex
- MMDX
- MMDX, Molecular microscopic diagnostic system
- MMF, Mycophenolate Mofetil
- MToR, Mechanistic target of Rapamycin
- NPV, Negative predictive value
- PPV, Positive predictive value
- RATs, rejection associated transcripts
- TBB, trans-bronchial biopsies
- UNOS, United network for organ sharing and procurement
- biomarker
- dd cfDNA, donor-derived cell-free DNA
- donor-derived cell-free DNA
- immune-suppression
- mRNA, messenger RNA
- miRNA, micro-RNA
- micro-RNA
- molecular diagnosis
- nano-string
- rejection
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed El Sabagh
- Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Islam B. Mohamed
- Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Fuad Z. Aloor
- Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ahmed Abdelwahab
- Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Manal M. Hassan
- Department of Epidemiology, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Prasun K. Jalal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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The Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System: Assessment of Rejection and Injury in Heart Transplant Biopsies. Transplantation 2023; 107:27-44. [PMID: 36508644 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review describes the development of the Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System (MMDx) for heart transplant endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs). MMDx-Heart uses microarrays to measure biopsy-based gene expression and ensembles of machine learning algorithms to interpret the results and compare each new biopsy to a large reference set of earlier biopsies. MMDx assesses T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), recent parenchymal injury, and atrophy-fibrosis, continually "learning" from new biopsies. Rejection-associated transcripts mapped in kidney transplants and experimental systems were used to identify TCMR, AMR, and recent injury-induced inflammation. Rejection and injury emerged as gradients of intensity, rather than binary classes. AMR was one-third donor-specific antibody (DSA)-negative, and many EMBs first considered to have no rejection displayed minor AMR-like changes, with increased probability of DSA positivity and subtle inflammation. Rejection-associated transcript-based algorithms now classify EMBs as "Normal," "Minor AMR changes," "AMR," "possible AMR," "TCMR," "possible TCMR," and "recent injury." Additionally, MMDx uses injury-associated transcript sets to assess the degree of parenchymal injury and atrophy-fibrosis in every biopsy and study the effect of rejection on the parenchyma. TCMR directly injures the parenchyma whereas AMR usually induces microcirculation stress but relatively little initial parenchymal damage, although slowly inducing parenchymal atrophy-fibrosis. Function (left ventricular ejection fraction) and short-term risk of failure are strongly determined by parenchymal injury. These discoveries can guide molecular diagnostic applications, either as a central MMDx system or adapted to other platforms. MMDx can also help calibrate noninvasive blood-based biomarkers to avoid unnecessary biopsies and monitor response to therapy.
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Randhawa P. The MMDx ® diagnostic system: A critical re-appraisal of its knowledge gaps and a call for rigorous validation studies. Clin Transplant 2022; 36:e14747. [PMID: 35678044 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptomics generates pathogenetic insights not obtainable by histology, but translation of these insights into diagnostic tests is not a trivial task. This opinion-piece critically appraises declarative MMDx statements, such as the infallibility of machine learning algorithms, measurements of gene expression with >99% precision, and "unambiguous reclassifications" of contentious biopsies such as those with borderline change, polyomavirus nephropathy, chronic active T-cell or mixed rejection, isolated intimal arteritis, and renal medullary pathology. It is shown that molecular diagnoses that do not agree with histology cannot be attributed primarily to pathology reading errors. Neither can all molecular calls derived from arbitrary binary thresholds be automatically accepted as the ground truth. Important other sources of discrepancies between clinico-pathologic and molecular calls include: (a) organ being studied, (b) disease definition, (c) clinical histologic, and gene expression heterogeneity within the same diagnostic label, (d) size and composition of comparator groups, (e) molecular noise, (f) variability in output of different machine learning algorithms, and (g) the nonavailability of a molecular classifier for chronic active TCMR. Carefully designed clinical trials are needed to determine which of the proposed indications of MMDx provide incremental value over existing standard of care protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parmjeet Randhawa
- Division of Transplantation Pathology, Department of Pathology, The Thomas E Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Baboudjian M, Gondran-Tellier B, Boissier R, Ancel P, Marjollet J, Lyonnet L, François P, Sabatier F, Lechevallier E, Dutour A, Paul P. An enhanced level of VCAM in transplant preservation fluid is an independent predictor of early kidney allograft dysfunction. Front Immunol 2022; 13:966951. [PMID: 36032101 PMCID: PMC9403542 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.966951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We aimed to evaluate whether donor-related inflammatory markers found in kidney transplant preservation fluid can associate with early development of kidney allograft dysfunction. Methods Our prospective study enrolled 74 consecutive donated organs who underwent kidney transplantation in our center between September 2020 and June 2021. Kidneys from 27 standard criteria donors were allocated to static cold storage and kidneys from 47 extended criteria donors to hypothermic machine perfusion. ELISA assessment of inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL6-R, ICAM, VCAM, TNFα, IFN-g, CXCL1 and Fractalkine) was analyzed in view of a primary endpoint defined as the occurrence of delayed graft function or slow graft function during the first week following transplantation. Results Soluble VCAM levels measured in transplant conservation fluid were significantly associated with recipient serum creatinine on day 7. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis identified VCAM as an independent non-invasive predictor of early graft dysfunction, both at 1 week (OR: 3.57, p = .04, 95% CI: 1.06-12.03) and 3 Months (OR: 4.039, p = .034, 95% CI: 1.11-14.73) after transplant surgery. Conclusions This prospective pilot study suggests that pre-transplant evaluation of VCAM levels could constitute a valuable indicator of transplant health and identify the VCAM-CD49d pathway as a target to limit donor-related vascular injury of marginal transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Baboudjian
- Department of Urology and Transplantation, La Conception Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux Marseille, Marseille, France
- Department of Urology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hopital Nord, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) 1263, Aix Marseille University, French national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment (INRAE), Centre de recherche en CardioVasculaire et Nutrition (C2VN), Marseille, France
| | - Bastien Gondran-Tellier
- Department of Urology and Transplantation, La Conception Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux Marseille, Marseille, France
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) 1263, Aix Marseille University, French national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment (INRAE), Centre de recherche en CardioVasculaire et Nutrition (C2VN), Marseille, France
| | - Romain Boissier
- Department of Urology and Transplantation, La Conception Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux Marseille, Marseille, France
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) 1263, Aix Marseille University, French national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment (INRAE), Centre de recherche en CardioVasculaire et Nutrition (C2VN), Marseille, France
| | - Patricia Ancel
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) 1263, Aix Marseille University, French national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment (INRAE), Centre de recherche en CardioVasculaire et Nutrition (C2VN), Marseille, France
| | - Juline Marjollet
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) 1263, Aix Marseille University, French national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment (INRAE), Centre de recherche en CardioVasculaire et Nutrition (C2VN), Marseille, France
| | - Luc Lyonnet
- Department of Hematology, Hopital de la Conception, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Pauline François
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) 1263, Aix Marseille University, French national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment (INRAE), Centre de recherche en CardioVasculaire et Nutrition (C2VN), Marseille, France
| | - Florence Sabatier
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) 1263, Aix Marseille University, French national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment (INRAE), Centre de recherche en CardioVasculaire et Nutrition (C2VN), Marseille, France
- Cell Therapy Laboratory, Centre d'Investigation Clinique (CIC)-149, La Conception Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Lechevallier
- Department of Urology and Transplantation, La Conception Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Anne Dutour
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) 1263, Aix Marseille University, French national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment (INRAE), Centre de recherche en CardioVasculaire et Nutrition (C2VN), Marseille, France
- Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition Department, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Pascale Paul
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) 1263, Aix Marseille University, French national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment (INRAE), Centre de recherche en CardioVasculaire et Nutrition (C2VN), Marseille, France
- Department of Hematology, Hopital de la Conception, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux Marseille, Marseille, France
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) unité mixte de recherche (UMR)_1090, Aix Marseille University, TAGC Theories and Approaches of Genomic Complexity, Parc Scientifique de Luminy Case 928, Marseille, France
- *Correspondence: Pascale Paul,
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Halloran PF, Madill-Thomsen KS, Böhmig GA, Myslak M, Gupta G, Kumar D, Viklicky O, Perkowska-Ptasinska A, Famulski KS. A 2-fold Approach to Polyoma Virus (BK) Nephropathy in Kidney Transplants: Distinguishing Direct Virus Effects From Cognate T Cell-mediated Inflammation. Transplantation 2021; 105:2374-2384. [PMID: 34310102 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BK nephropathy (BKN) in kidney transplants diagnosed by histology is challenging because it involves damage from both virus activity and cognate T cell-mediated inflammation, directed against alloantigens (rejection) or viral antigens. The present study of indication biopsies from the Integrated Diagnostic System in the International Collaborative Microarray Study Extension study measured major capsid viral protein 2 (VP2) mRNA to assess virus activity and a T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) classifier to assess cognate T cell-mediated inflammation. METHODS Biopsies were assessed by local standard-of-care histology and by genome-wide microarrays and Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System (MMDx) algorithms to detect rejection and injury. In a subset of 102 biopsies (50 BKN and 52 BKN-negative biopsies with various abnormalities), we measured VP2 transcripts by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS BKN was diagnosed in 55 of 1679 biopsies; 30 had cognate T cell-mediated activity assessed by by MMDx and TCMR lesions, but only 3 of 30 were histologically diagnosed as TCMR. We developed a BKN probability classifier that predicted histologic BKN (area under the curve = 0.82). Virus activity (VP2 expression) was highly selective for BKN (area under the curve = 0.94) and correlated with acute injury, atrophy-fibrosis, macrophage activation, and the BKN classifier, but not with the TCMR classifier. BKN with molecular TCMR had more tubulitis and inflammation than BKN without molecular TCMR. In 5 BKN cases with second biopsies, VP2 mRNA decreased in second biopsies, whereas in 4 of 5 TCMR classifiers, scores increased. Genes and pathways associated with BKN and VP2 mRNA were similar, reflecting injury, inflammation, and macrophage activation but none was selective for BKN. CONCLUSIONS Risk-benefit decisions in BKN may be assisted by quantitative assessment of the 2 major pathologic processes, virus activity and cognate T cell-mediated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip F Halloran
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplant Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Georg A Böhmig
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marek Myslak
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, SPWSZ Hospital in Szczecin, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Division of Nephrology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Dhiren Kumar
- Division of Nephrology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Ondrej Viklicky
- Department of Nephrology and Transplant Center, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
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Oberbauer R, Meyer TW. Precision medicine in transplantation and hemodialysis. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2021; 36:31-36. [PMID: 34153984 PMCID: PMC8216726 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfaa367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In kidney transplantation, precision medicine has already entered clinical practice. Donor and recipient human leucocyte antigen (HLA) regions are genotyped in two class 1 and usually three class 2 loci, and the individual degree of sensitization against alloimmune antigens is evaluated by the detection of anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies. Recently, the contribution of non-HLA mismatches to outcomes such as acute T- and B-cell-mediated rejection and even long-term graft survival was described. Tracking of specific alloimmune T- and B-cell clones by next generation sequencing and refinement of the immunogenicity of allo-epitopes specifically in the interaction with HLA and T- and B-cell receptors may further support individualized therapy. Although the choices of maintenance immunosuppression are rather limited, individualization can be accomplished by adjustment of dosing based on these risk predictors. Finally, supplementing histopathology by a transcriptomics analysis allows for a biological interpretation of the histological findings and avoids interobserver variability of results. In contrast to transplantation, the prescription of hemodialysis therapy is far from precise. Guidelines do not consider modifications by age, diet or many comorbid conditions. Patients with residual kidney function routinely receive the same treatment as those without. A major barrier hitherto is the definition of 'adequate' treatment based on urea removal. Kt/Vurea and related parameters neither reflect the severity of uremic symptoms nor predict long-term outcomes. Urea is poorly representative for numerous other compounds that accumulate in the body when the kidneys fail, yet clinicians prescribe treatment based on its measurement. Modern technology has provided the means to identify other solutes responsible for specific features of uremic illness and their measurement will be a necessary step in moving beyond the standardized prescription of hemodialysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Oberbauer
- Klinische Abteilung für Nephrologie und Dialyse, Medical University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Timothy W Meyer
- Department of Medicine, VA Palo Alto HCS and Stanford University,
Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Alam A, Halloran PF, Mathew C, Fathima S, Ghazi A, Kale P, Hall SA. Bradycardia in Recent Heart Transplant: Will the Microscope Illuminate the True Answer? CME. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J 2021; 17:e14-e17. [PMID: 34295452 PMCID: PMC8287873 DOI: 10.14797/prem9909] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transplant recipients are at risk of developing rejection that may cause
significant morbidity and mortality following transplantation The clinical
presentation of rejection may be atypical, leading to difficulties in diagnosis
and management especially in cases with a nondiagnostic biopsy specimen. The
emergence of artificial intelligence may aid in clinical decision making when
traditional techniques are inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Alam
- BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, DALLAS, TEXAS.,COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, TEXAS A&M HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
| | | | - Christo Mathew
- BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, DALLAS, TEXAS.,COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, TEXAS A&M HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
| | | | | | - Parag Kale
- BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, DALLAS, TEXAS.,COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, TEXAS A&M HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
| | - Shelley A Hall
- BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, DALLAS, TEXAS.,COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, TEXAS A&M HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
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Randhawa P. The Molecular Microscope (MMDX R ) interpretation of thoracic and abdominal allograft biopsies: Putting things in perspective for the clinician. Clin Transplant 2021; 35:e14223. [PMID: 33755254 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Molecular Microscope System (MMDXR ) has significant potential to enhance biopsy interpretation. However, discussions of MMDx do not acknowledge the basic accuracy of histology readings, and the ability of pathology as a stand-alone tool to guide patient management. MMDx overstates its ability to automatically correct for problems in biopsy readings. Assertions of accuracy approaching 99% are not supported by "real world" data. The high rate of discrepancies between MMDx® and standard biopsy readings can be attributed to the summation of many factors other than histology interpretation, including molecular noise, assay thresholding, limited sensitivity of microarray technology for low expression genes, errors in classifier development, narrow data interpretation, and lack of spatial context. It is not widely recognized that molecular signatures are not disease-specific and are affected by the stage of disease as well as the extent of tissue injury. The effect of sampling error on MMDx performance is significantly under-estimated, particularly in heart and lung biopsies. Therefore, MMDx reports should always be interpreted in the context of conventional biopsy readings. The clinical picture and conventional biopsy reading should be allowed to over-ride the molecular interpretation when there is concern that confounding factors are at play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parmjeet Randhawa
- Professor of Pathology, The Thomas E Starzl Transplantation Institute and Division of Transplantation Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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9
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Oberbauer R. To biopsy or not to biopsy: investigation of deteriorating kidney transplant function. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2021; 37:1627-1628. [PMID: 33630073 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfab041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Oberbauer
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Nephrology, Vienna, Austria
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10
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Halloran PF. Integrating molecular and histologic interpretation of transplant biopsies. Clin Transplant 2021; 35:e14244. [PMID: 33595110 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philip F Halloran
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Division of Nephrology and Transplant Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Halloran K, Parkes MD, Timofte I, Snell G, Westall G, Havlin J, Lischke R, Hachem R, Kreisel D, Levine D, Kubisa B, Piotrowska M, Juvet S, Keshavjee S, Jaksch P, Klepetko W, Hirji A, Weinkauf J, Halloran PF. Molecular T-cell‒mediated rejection in transbronchial and mucosal lung transplant biopsies is associated with future risk of graft loss. J Heart Lung Transplant 2020; 39:1327-1337. [PMID: 32943286 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2020.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously developed molecular assessment systems for lung transplant transbronchial biopsies (TBBs) with high surfactant and bronchial mucosal biopsies, identifying T-cell‒mediated rejection (TCMR) on the basis of the expression of rejection-associated transcripts, but the relationship of rejection to graft loss is unknown. This study aimed to develop molecular assessments for TBBs and mucosal biopsies and to establish the impact of molecular TCMR on graft survival. METHODS We used microarrays and machine learning to assign TCMR scores to an expanded cohort of 457 TBBs (367 high surfactant plus 90 low surfactant) and 314 mucosal biopsies. We tested the score agreement between TBB-TBB, mucosal-mucosal, and TBB-mucosal biopsy pairs in the same patient. We also assessed the association of molecular TCMR scores with graft loss (death or retransplantation) and compared it with the prognostic associations for histology and donor-specific antibodies. RESULTS The molecular TCMR scores assigned in all the TBBs performed similarly to those in high-surfactant TBBs, indicating that variation in alveolation in TBBs does not prevent the detection of TCMR. Mucosal biopsy pieces showed less piece-to-piece variation than TBBs. TCMR scores in TBBs agreed with those in mucosal biopsies. In both TBBs and mucosal biopsies, molecular TCMR was associated with graft loss, whereas histologic rejection and donor-specific antibodies were not. CONCLUSIONS Molecular TCMR can be detected in TBBs regardless of surfactant and in mucosal biopsies, which show less variability in the sampled tissue than TBBs. On the basis of these findings, molecular TCMR appears to be an important predictor of the risk of future graft failure. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02812290.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Halloran
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael D Parkes
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Irina Timofte
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gregory Snell
- Lung Transplant Service, Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Glen Westall
- Lung Transplant Service, Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jan Havlin
- 3rd Department of Surgery, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Lischke
- 3rd Department of Surgery, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Daniel Kreisel
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Deborah Levine
- Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Bartosz Kubisa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Maria Piotrowska
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Stephen Juvet
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shaf Keshavjee
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Jaksch
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Klepetko
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alim Hirji
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Justin Weinkauf
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Philip F Halloran
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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