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Meganck S, Raevens S, Ferdinande K, Verhelst X, Hoorens A, Degroote H, Geerts A, Van Vlierberghe H. Recurrent rejections after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma with stem cell features in an adult patient. Acta Clin Belg 2024; 79:234-241. [PMID: 38961614 DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2024.2376304] [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] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Patients with hepatoblastoma featuring carcinoma characteristics have better outcomes after liver transplantation, than after chemotherapy and resection. Possibly this should be extrapolated to aggressive subtypes of hepatocellular carcinomas in non-cirrhotic livers, where early liver transplantation might also be indicated. However, the risks associated with liver transplantation and immunosuppressive treatment after liver transplantation are once again demonstrated by this case of a 32-year-old women with a negative personal and familial history of liver diseases. She underwent transplantation (DBD) for a hepatocellular carcinoma with stem cell features (HCC-HS; an aggressive 'hepatoblast subtype' of hepatocellular carcinoma) after chemotherapeutical downstaging techniques failed to sufficiently downstage the tumor. Despite being on conventional immunosuppressive regimens (tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil with initial corticosteroids tapered), this patient still developed two severe rejection episodes, one of which necessitated retransplantation (DCD). Both episodes were preceded by alterations in tacrolimus trough levels, either intentionally, when tacrolimus was reduced within a nephroprotective regimen, or unintentionally, when rifampicin, a CYP3A4 inducer, significantly lowered the trough levels. Together, these episodes stress the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring of tacrolimus. Furthermore, the patient experienced an everolimus-linked drug-induced thrombotic microangiopathy, underwent multiple ERCPs for an anastomotic stricture and only one and a half year after the first liver transplantation she already suffers from long-term immunosuppressive-related side effects such as impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension and a potential cardiomyopathy. At present, she is still alive and experienced no recurrence of her primary tumor. Her case underscores the significant challenges in post-liver transplantation care.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Meganck
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - S Raevens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - K Ferdinande
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - X Verhelst
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - A Hoorens
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - H Degroote
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - A Geerts
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - H Van Vlierberghe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
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2
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von Scheidt W, Reichart B, Meiser B, von Scheidt M, Sen P, Schwarz F, Harmel E, Bengel FM, Dick A, Ueberfuhr P, Reichenspurner H, Jaeckel E, Schwinzer R, Hagl C. Unique 40-year survival after heart transplantation with normal graft function and spontaneous operational tolerance. Clin Res Cardiol 2024; 113:661-671. [PMID: 37982861 PMCID: PMC11026283 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-023-02341-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Unique 40-year survival after heart transplantation with normal graft function and spontaneous operational tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang von Scheidt
- I.Medizinische Klinik, University Hospital Augsburg, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Bruno Reichart
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bruno Meiser
- Transplant Center, University Hospital Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz von Scheidt
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Partho Sen
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Schwarz
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Augsburg, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Eva Harmel
- I.Medizinische Klinik, University Hospital Augsburg, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Frank M Bengel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrea Dick
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Ueberfuhr
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hermann Reichenspurner
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elmar Jaeckel
- Ajmera Transplant Center, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Reinhard Schwinzer
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation-Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Hagl
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
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3
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Appenzeller-Herzog C, Rosat A, Mathes T, Baroja-Mazo A, Chruscinski A, Feng S, Herrero I, Londono MC, Mazariegos G, Ohe H, Pons JA, Sanchez-Fueyo A, Waki K, Vionnet J. Time since liver transplant and immunosuppression withdrawal outcomes: Systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. Liver Int 2024; 44:250-262. [PMID: 37905605 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Successful immunosuppression withdrawal (ISW) is possible for a subfraction of liver transplant (LT) recipients but the factors that define the risk of ISW failure are largely unknown. One candidate prognostic factor for ISW success or operational tolerance (OT) is longer time between LT and ISW which we term "pre-withdrawal time". To clarify the impact of pre-withdrawal time span on subsequent ISW success or failure, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS We systematically interrogated the literature for LT recipient ISW studies reporting pre-withdrawal time. Eligible articles from Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were used for backward and forward citation searching. Pre-withdrawal time individual patient data (IPD) was requested from authors. Pooled mean differences and time-response curves were calculated using random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS We included 17 studies with 691 patients, 15 of which (620 patients) with IPD. Study-level risk of bias was heterogeneous. Mean pre-withdrawal time was greater by 427 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 67-788] in OT compared to non-OT patients. This increase was potentiated to 799 days (95% CI 369-1229) or 1074 days (95% CI 685-1463) when restricting analysis to adult or European study participants. In time-response meta-analysis for adult or European ISW candidates, likelihood of OT increased by 7% (95% CI 4-10%) per year after LT (GRADE low- and moderate-certainty of evidence, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our data support the impact of pre-withdrawal time in ISW decision-making for adult and European LT recipients. PROSPERO REGISTRATION CRD42021272995.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aurélie Rosat
- Service of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tim Mathes
- Department for Medical Statistics, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Alberto Baroja-Mazo
- Digestive and Endocrine Surgery and Transplantation of Abdominal Organs, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Sandy Feng
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ignacio Herrero
- Liver Unit, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Centro de investigación Biomédica en Red, Navarra, Spain
- Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria-Carlota Londono
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de investigación Biomédica en Red, Barcelona, Spain
- Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - George Mazariegos
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hidenori Ohe
- Department of Surgery, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - José A Pons
- Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Alberto Sanchez-Fueyo
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London University and King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kayo Waki
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Julien Vionnet
- Service of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London University and King's College Hospital, London, UK
- Transplantation Centre, University Hospital of Lausanne and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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4
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Antala S, DiNorcia J, Bucuvalas J. Balancing immunosuppression in pediatric liver transplantation: Playing the long game. Pediatr Transplant 2023; 27:e14575. [PMID: 37439035 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The overarching goal in the care of pediatric liver transplant recipients is to optimize allograft and patient health. Balancing immunosuppression to maintain allograft health while avoiding medication side effects is essential for long-term survival and optimal quality of life in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Utilizing precision medicine to personalize immunosuppression, which includes minimization and withdrawal, is core to this effort. The unique anatomy and physiology of the liver make it more tolerant to immune-mediated injury and a more favorable organ for immunosuppression minimization and withdrawal. However, several challenges exist. Standard biochemical values and histologic features may not reliably predict allograft health after a reduction in immunosuppression. Additionally, biochemical values alone do not reliably identify which patients can successfully develop operational tolerance, as there may be occult allograft injury despite normal liver enzymes. Finally, the durability of tolerance after successful reduction in immunosuppression remains uncertain over time. Innovative tools show promise in circumventing these challenges, but more research is needed to determine actual clinical utility. While immunosuppression-free transplant may not be a current reality for most pediatric liver transplant recipients, strategies to safely minimize immunosuppression without compromising allograft health are within reach. Each liver allograft and recipient pair requires a different degree of immune modulation, and through a structured process of minimization and withdrawal, immunosuppression can indeed be tailored in a precise, personalized way to optimize outcomes. This review focuses on the progress that has been made to individualize immunosuppression in pediatric liver transplantation to ensure optimal allograft and recipient health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Antala
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine, Kravis Children's Hospital at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Joseph DiNorcia
- Recanati-Miller Transplantation Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, New York, USA
| | - John Bucuvalas
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine, Kravis Children's Hospital at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
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5
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Sharma P, Arora A. Basic Understanding of Liver Transplant Immunology. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2023; 13:1091-1102. [PMID: 37975047 PMCID: PMC10643508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a specialized organ and plays an important role in our immune system. The liver constitutes parenchymal cells which are hepatocytes and cholangiocytes (60-80%) and non-parenchymal cells like liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), hepatic satellite/Ito cells, Kupffer cells, neutrophils, mononuclear cells, T and B lymphocytes (conventional and non-conventional), natural killer cells, and natural killer T (NKT) cells. The liver mounts a rapid and strong immune response, under unfavorable conditions and acts as an immune tolerance to a variety of non-pathogenic antigens. This delicate and dynamic interaction between different kinds of immune cells in the liver maintains a balance between immune screening and immune tolerance. The liver allografts are privileged immunologically; however, allograft rejection is not uncommon and is classified as cell or antibody-mediated. Advancements in transplant immunology help in the prevention of allografts rejection by immune reactions of the host thus leading to better graft and host survival. Fewer patients may not require immunosuppression due to systemic donor-specific T-cell tolerance. The liver tolerance mechanism is poorly studied, and LSEC and unconventional lymphocytes play an important role that dampens T cell response either by inducing apoptosis of cells or inhibiting co-stimulatory pathways. Newer cell-based therapy based on Treg, dendritic cells, and mesenchymal stromal cells will probably change the future of immunosuppression. Various invasive and non-invasive biomarkers and artificial intelligence have also been investigated to predict graft survival, post-transplant complications, and immunotolerance in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Anil Arora
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
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6
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Berenguer M, de Martin E, Hessheimer AJ, Levitsky J, Maluf DG, Mas VR, Selzner N, Hernàndez-Èvole H, Lutu A, Wahid N, Zubair H. European Society for Organ Transplantation Consensus Statement on Biomarkers in Liver Transplantation. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11358. [PMID: 37711401 PMCID: PMC10498996 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11358] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Currently, one-year survival following liver transplantation (LT) exceeds 90% in large international registries, and LT is considered definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease and liver cancer. Recurrence of disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), significantly hampers post-LT outcomes. An optimal approach to immunosuppression (IS), including safe weaning, may benefit patients by mitigating the effect on recurrent diseases, as well as reducing adverse events associated with over-/under-IS, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Prediction of these outcome measures-disease recurrence, CKD, and immune status-has long been based on relatively inaccurate clinical models. To address the utility of new biomarkers in predicting these outcomes in the post-LT setting, the European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) and International Liver Transplant Society (ILTS) convened a working group of experts to review literature pertaining to primary disease recurrence, development of CKD, and safe weaning of IS. Summaries of evidence were presented to the group of panelists and juries to develop guidelines, which were discussed and voted in-person at the Consensus Conference in Prague November 2022. The consensus findings and recommendations of the Liver Working Group on new biomarkers in LT, clinical applicability, and future needs are presented in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Berenguer
- Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Unit, Hospital Universitario la Fe - IIS La Fe Valencia, CiberEHD and University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eleonora de Martin
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Inserm UMR-S 1193, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Amelia J. Hessheimer
- General & Digestive Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Josh Levitsky
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Daniel G. Maluf
- Program in Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Valeria R. Mas
- Surgical Sciences Research in Transplantation, Chief Surgical Sciences Division, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nazia Selzner
- Ajmera Transplant Center, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Alina Lutu
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Inserm UMR-S 1193, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Nabeel Wahid
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Haseeb Zubair
- Surgical Sciences Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Narita S, Miuma S, Okudaira S, Koga Y, Fukushima M, Sasaki R, Haraguchi M, Soyama A, Hidaka M, Miyaaki H, Futakuchi M, Nagai K, Ichikawa T, Eguchi S, Nakao K. Regular protocol liver biopsy is useful to adjust immunosuppressant dose after adult liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2023; 37:e14873. [PMID: 36443801 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14873] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adjusting immunosuppression to minimal levels post-adult liver transplantation (LT) is critical; however, graft rejection has been reported in LT recipients with normal liver function evaluated by liver biopsy (LBx). Continual protocol liver biopsy (PLB) is performed regularly in LT recipients with normal liver function in some centers; however, its usefulness remains inadequately evaluated. This study aimed to assess retrospectively the usefulness of late PLB after adult LT. METHODS LBx evaluations of LT recipients with normal liver function and hepatitis B and C virus seronegativity were defined as PLB. The cases requiring immunosuppressive therapy for rejection findings based on Banff criteria were extracted from the PLBs, and pathological data collected before and after immunosuppressive dosage adjustment (based on modified histological activity index [HAI] score) were compared. RESULTS Among 548 LBx cases, 213 LBx in 110 recipients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for PLB. Immunosuppressive therapy after PLB was intensified in 14 LBx (6.6%) recipients (12.7%); of these, nine had late-onset acute rejection, three had isolated perivenular inflammation, one had plasma cell-rich rejection, and one had early chronic rejection. Follow-up LBx after immunosuppressive dose adjustment showed improvement in the modified HAI score grading in 10 of 14 cases (71.4%). No clinical background and blood examination data, including those from the post-LT period, immunosuppressant trough level, or examination for de novo DSA, predicted rejection in PLB. Complications of PLB were found in only three cases. CONCLUSION PLB is useful in the management of seemingly stable LT recipients, to discover subclinical rejection and allow for appropriate immunosuppressant dose adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Narita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagasaki University of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Satoshi Miuma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagasaki University of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Sadayuki Okudaira
- Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yoshito Koga
- Transfusion and Cell Therapy Unit, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masanori Fukushima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagasaki University of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Ryu Sasaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagasaki University of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masafumi Haraguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagasaki University of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Akihiko Soyama
- Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masaaki Hidaka
- Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hisamitsu Miyaaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagasaki University of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Futakuchi
- Department of Pathology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nagai
- Transfusion and Cell Therapy Unit, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Ichikawa
- Nagasaki Harbor Medical Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Susumu Eguchi
- Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagasaki University of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
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8
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Pilat N, Steiner R, Sprent J. Treg Therapy for the Induction of Immune Tolerance in Transplantation-Not Lost in Translation? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021752. [PMID: 36675265 PMCID: PMC9861925 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical success of solid organ transplantation is still limited by the insufficiency of immunosuppressive regimens to control chronic rejection and late graft loss. Moreover, serious side effects caused by chronic immunosuppressive treatment increase morbidity and mortality in transplant patients. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have proven to be efficient in the induction of allograft tolerance and prolongation of graft survival in numerous preclinical models, and treatment has now moved to the clinics. The results of the first Treg-based clinical trials seem promising, proving the feasibility and safety of Treg therapy in clinical organ transplantation. However, many questions regarding Treg phenotype, optimum dosage, antigen-specificity, adjunct immunosuppressants and efficacy remain open. This review summarizes the results of the first Treg-based clinical trials for tolerance induction in solid organ transplantation and recapitulates what we have learnt so far and which questions need to be resolved before Treg therapy can become part of daily clinical practice. In addition, we discuss new strategies being developed for induction of donor-specific tolerance in solid organ transplantation with the clinical aims of prolonged graft survival and minimization of immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Pilat
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: (N.P.); (J.S.); Tel.: +43-1-40400-52120 (N.P.)
| | - Romy Steiner
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jonathan Sprent
- Immunology Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- Correspondence: (N.P.); (J.S.); Tel.: +43-1-40400-52120 (N.P.)
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9
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Pérez-Escobar J, Jimenez JV, Rodríguez-Aguilar EF, Servín-Rojas M, Ruiz-Manriquez J, Safar-Boueri L, Carrillo-Maravilla E, Navasa M, García-Juárez I. Immunotolerance in liver transplantation: a primer for the clinician. Ann Hepatol 2023; 28:100760. [PMID: 36179797 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The use of immunosuppressive medications for solid organ transplantation is associated with cardiovascular, metabolic, and oncologic complications. On the other hand, the development of graft rejection is associated with increased mortality and graft dysfunction. Liver transplant recipients can withdraw from immunosuppression without developing graft injury while preserving an adequate antimicrobial response - a characteristic known as immunotolerance. Immunotolerance can be spontaneously or pharmacologically achieved. Contrary to the classic dogma, clinical studies have elucidated low rates of true spontaneous immunotolerance (no serologic or histological markers of immune injury) among liver transplant recipients. However, clinical, serologic, and tissue biomarkers can aid in selecting patients in whom immunosuppression can be safely withdrawn. For those who failed an immunosuppression withdrawal trial or are at high risk of rejection, pharmacological interventions for immunotolerance induction are under development. In this review, we provide an overview of the mechanisms of immunotolerance, the clinical studies investigating predictors and biomarkers of spontaneous immunotolerance, as well as the potential pharmacological interventions for inducing it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanita Pérez-Escobar
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplant, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jose Victor Jimenez
- Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Erika Faride Rodríguez-Aguilar
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplant, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Maximiliano Servín-Rojas
- Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jesus Ruiz-Manriquez
- Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luisa Safar-Boueri
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Eduardo Carrillo-Maravilla
- Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miquel Navasa
- Liver Transplant Unit, Hepatology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Juárez
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplant, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
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10
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Barbetta A, Rocque B, Sarode D, Bartlett JA, Emamaullee J. Revisiting transplant immunology through the lens of single-cell technologies. Semin Immunopathol 2023; 45:91-109. [PMID: 35980400 PMCID: PMC9386203 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-022-00958-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Solid organ transplantation (SOT) is the standard of care for end-stage organ disease. The most frequent complication of SOT involves allograft rejection, which may occur via T cell- and/or antibody-mediated mechanisms. Diagnosis of rejection in the clinical setting requires an invasive biopsy as there are currently no reliable biomarkers to detect rejection episodes. Likewise, it is virtually impossible to identify patients who exhibit operational tolerance and may be candidates for reduced or complete withdrawal of immunosuppression. Emerging single-cell technologies, including cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF), imaging mass cytometry, and single-cell RNA sequencing, represent a new opportunity for deep characterization of pathogenic immune populations involved in both allograft rejection and tolerance in clinical samples. These techniques enable examination of both individual cellular phenotypes and cell-to-cell interactions, ultimately providing new insights into the complex pathophysiology of allograft rejection. However, working with these large, highly dimensional datasets requires expertise in advanced data processing and analysis using computational biology techniques. Machine learning algorithms represent an optimal strategy to analyze and create predictive models using these complex datasets and will likely be essential for future clinical application of patient level results based on single-cell data. Herein, we review the existing literature on single-cell techniques in the context of SOT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Barbetta
- Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Organ Transplant, University of Southern California, 1510 San Pablo St. Suite 412, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brittany Rocque
- Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Organ Transplant, University of Southern California, 1510 San Pablo St. Suite 412, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Deepika Sarode
- Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Organ Transplant, University of Southern California, 1510 San Pablo St. Suite 412, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Johanna Ascher Bartlett
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Juliet Emamaullee
- Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Organ Transplant, University of Southern California, 1510 San Pablo St. Suite 412, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Abdominal Organ Transplantation Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Chruscinski A, Rojas-Luengas V, Moshkelgosha S, Issachar A, Luo J, Yowanto H, Lilly L, Smith R, Renner E, Zhang J, Epstein M, Grant D, McEvoy CM, Konvalinka A, Humar A, Adeyi O, Fischer S, Volmer FH, Taubert R, Jaeckel E, Juvet S, Selzner N, Levy GA. Evaluation of a gene expression biomarker to identify operationally tolerant liver transplant recipients: the LITMUS trial. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 207:123-139. [PMID: 35020854 PMCID: PMC8802178 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
LITMUS was a single-centre, Phase 2a study designed to investigate whether the gene biomarker FGL2/IFNG previously reported for the identification of tolerance in murine models could identify operationally tolerant liver transplant recipients. Multiplex RT-PCR was used to amplify eight immunoregulatory genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 69 adult liver transplant recipients. Patients with PBMC FGL2/IFNG ≥ 1 and a normal liver biopsy underwent immunosuppression (IS) withdrawal. The primary end point was the development of operational tolerance. Secondary end points included correlation of tolerance with allograft gene expression and immune cell markers. Twenty-eight of 69 patients (38%) were positive for the PBMC tolerance biomarker and 23 proceeded to IS withdrawal. Nine of the 23 patients had abnormal baseline liver biopsies and were excluded. Of the 14 patients with normal biopsies, eight (57%) have achieved operational tolerance and are off IS (range 12–57 months). Additional studies revealed that all of the tolerant patients and only one non-tolerant patient had a liver gene ratio of FOXP3/IFNG ≥ 1 prior to IS withdrawal. Increased CD4+ T regulatory T cells were detected both in PBMC and livers of tolerant patients following IS withdrawal. Higher expression of SELE (gene for E-selectin) and lower expression of genes associated with inflammatory responses (GZMB, CIITA, UBD, LSP1, and CXCL9) were observed in the pre-withdrawal liver biopsies of tolerant patients by RNA sequencing. These results suggest that measurement of PBMC FGL2/IFNG may enrich for the identification of operationally tolerant liver transplant patients, especially when combined with intragraft measurement of FOXP3/IFNG. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (LITMUS: NCT02541916).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Chruscinski
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Vanessa Rojas-Luengas
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sajad Moshkelgosha
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Assaf Issachar
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Leslie Lilly
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Robert Smith
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eberhard Renner
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maor Epstein
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - David Grant
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Caitriona M McEvoy
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ana Konvalinka
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Atul Humar
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Oyedele Adeyi
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sandra Fischer
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Felix H Volmer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Richard Taubert
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elmar Jaeckel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephen Juvet
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nazia Selzner
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gary A Levy
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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Takatsuki M, Eguchi S. Clinical liver transplant tolerance: Recent topics. JOURNAL OF HEPATO-BILIARY-PANCREATIC SCIENCES 2021; 29:369-376. [PMID: 34758514 DOI: 10.1002/jhbp.1077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunosuppression is essential after organ transplantation to prevent severe graft injury due to rejection, but in long-term, transplanted organs are generally accepted with minimal dose of immunosuppression, and adverse effects of it such as renal dysfunction, diabetes and development of malignancies might become to exceed over the benefits in majority of the cases. Accordingly, to achieve the immunologic tolerance has been the ultimate goal in organ transplantation, and the liver has been well recognized as the tolerogenic organ compared to other organs. METHODS We referred the reported studies showing the actual protocol to achieve the immunologic tolerance after clinical liver transplantation. RESULTS Actually, two main procedures as "elective weaning of immunosuppression" and/or "cell therapy" using various immune-related cells have been introduced to induce the immunologic tolerance in clinical liver transplantation. The cell therapy, especially using regulatory T-cell has been reported to achieve definitive immunologic tolerance in living donor liver transplantation. CONCLUSION Although it is still developing, the induction of immunologic tolerance in clinical liver transplantation is realistic. Herein, the current topics of immunologic tolerance in liver transplantation is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhisa Takatsuki
- Department of Digestive and General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
| | - Susumu Eguchi
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
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