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Cao C, Yuan L, Wang Y, Liu H, Cuello Garcia H, Huang H, Tan W, Zhou Y, Shi H, Jiang T. Analysis of the primary factors influencing donor derived cell-free DNA testing in kidney transplantation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1435578. [PMID: 39308855 PMCID: PMC11412870 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1435578] [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: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The donor-derived cell-free DNA (ddcfDNA) is found in the plasma and urine of kidney transplant recipients and displays notable potential in diagnosing rejection, specifically antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). Nonetheless, the quantitative methods of ddcfDNA lacking standardization and diverse detection techniques can impact the test outcomes. Besides, both the fraction and absolute values of ddcfDNA have been reported as valuable markers for rejection diagnosis, but they carry distinct meanings and are special in various pathological conditions. Additionally, ddcfDNA is highly sensitive to kidney transplant injury. The various sampling times and combination with other diseases can indeed impact ddcfDNA detection values. This review comprehensively analyses the various factors affecting ddcfDNA detection in kidney transplantation, including the number of SNPs and sequencing depths. Furthermore, different pathological conditions, distinct sampling time points, and the presence of complex heterologous signals can influence ddcfDNA testing results in kidney transplantation. The review also provides insights into ddcfDNA testing on different platforms along with key considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changling Cao
- Biostatistics, Research & Development (R&D), AlloDx Biotech (Shanghai), Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Yuan
- Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yinfeng Wang
- Biostatistics, Research & Development (R&D), AlloDx Biotech (Shanghai), Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Haitao Liu
- Medical Department, AlloDx Biotech (Shanghai), Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Huiqiang Huang
- Biostatistics, Research & Development (R&D), AlloDx Biotech (Shanghai), Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqiang Tan
- Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Haifeng Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Medical Department, AlloDx Biotech (Shanghai), Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingya Jiang
- Medical Department, AlloDx Biotech (Shanghai), Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
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Ettenger RB, Seifert ME, Blydt-Hansen T, Briscoe DM, Holman J, Weng PL, Srivastava R, Fleming J, Malekzadeh M, Pearl M. Detection of Subclinical Rejection in Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: Current and Future Practices. Pediatr Transplant 2024; 28:e14836. [PMID: 39147695 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The successes in the field of pediatric kidney transplantation over the past 60 years have been extraordinary. Year over year, there have been significant improvements in short-term graft survival. However, improvements in longer-term outcomes have been much less apparent. One important contributor has been the phenomenon of low-level rejection in the absence of clinical manifestations-so-called subclinical rejection (SCR). METHODS Traditionally, rejection has been diagnosed by changes in clinical parameters, including but not limited to serum creatinine and proteinuria. This review examines the shortcomings of this approach, the effects of SCR on kidney allograft outcome, the benefits and drawbacks of surveillance biopsies to identify SCR, and new urine and blood biomarkers that define the presence or absence of SCR. RESULTS Serum creatinine is an unreliable index of SCR. Surveillance biopsies are the method most utilized to detect SCR. However, these have significant drawbacks. New biomarkers show promise. These biomarkers include blood gene expression profiles and donor derived-cell free DNA; urine gene expression profiles; urinary cytokines, chemokines, and metabolomics; and other promising blood and urine tests. CONCLUSION Specific emphasis is placed on studies carried out in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03719339.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B Ettenger
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Michael E Seifert
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Tom Blydt-Hansen
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David M Briscoe
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John Holman
- Transplant Genomics Inc., Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patricia L Weng
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rachana Srivastava
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - James Fleming
- Transplant Genomics Inc., Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mohammed Malekzadeh
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Meghan Pearl
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Halloran PF, Reeve J, Mackova M, Madill-Thomsen KS, Demko Z, Olymbios M, Campbell P, Melenovsky V, Gong T, Hall S, Stehlik J. Comparing Plasma Donor-derived Cell-free DNA to Gene Expression in Endomyocardial Biopsies in the Trifecta-Heart Study. Transplantation 2024; 108:1931-1942. [PMID: 38538559 PMCID: PMC11335077 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasma donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is used to screen for rejection in heart transplants. We launched the Trifecta-Heart study ( ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT04707872), an investigator-initiated, prospective trial, to examine the correlations between genome-wide molecular changes in endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) and plasma dd-cfDNA. The present report analyzes the correlation of plasma dd-cfDNA with gene expression in EMBs from 4 vanguard centers and compared these correlations with those in 604 kidney transplant biopsies in the Trifecta-Kidney study ( ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT04239703). METHODS We analyzed 137 consecutive dd-cfDNA-EMB pairs from 70 patients. Plasma %dd-cfDNA was measured by the Prospera test (Natera Inc), and gene expression in EMBs was assessed by Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System using machine-learning algorithms to interpret rejection and injury states. RESULTS Top transcripts correlating with dd-cfDNA were related to genes increased in rejection such as interferon gamma-inducible genes (eg, HLA-DMA ) but also with genes induced by injury and expressed in macrophages (eg, SERPINA1 and HMOX1 ). In gene enrichment analysis, the top dd-cfDNA-correlated genes reflected inflammation and rejection pathways. Dd-cfDNA correlations with rejection genes in EMB were similar to those seen in kidney transplant biopsies, with somewhat stronger correlations for TCMR genes in hearts and ABMR genes in kidneys. However, the correlations with parenchymal injury-induced genes and macrophage genes were much stronger in hearts. CONCLUSIONS In this first analysis of Trifecta-Heart study, dd-cfDNA correlates significantly with molecular rejection but also with injury and macrophage infiltration, reflecting the proinflammatory properties of injured cardiomyocytes. The relationship supports the utility of dd-cfDNA in clinical management of heart transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip F. Halloran
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Center, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Transcriptome Sciences Inc, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jeff Reeve
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Center, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Transcriptome Sciences Inc, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Martina Mackova
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Center, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Transcriptome Sciences Inc, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Katelynn S. Madill-Thomsen
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Center, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Transcriptome Sciences Inc, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Josef Stehlik
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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4
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Kataria A, Athreya A, Gupta G. Biomarkers in Kidney Transplantation. ADVANCES IN KIDNEY DISEASE AND HEALTH 2024; 31:427-435. [PMID: 39232613 DOI: 10.1053/j.akdh.2024.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Currently in the United States, there are more than 250,000 patients with a functioning kidney allograft and over 100,000 waitlisted patients awaiting kidney transplant, with a burgeoning number added to the kidney transplant wait list every year. Although early post-transplant care is delivered at the transplant center, the increasing number of kidney transplant recipients requires general nephrologists to actively participate in the long-term care of these patients. Serum creatinine and proteinuria are imperfect traditional biomarkers of allograft dysfunction and lag behind subclinical allograft injury. This manuscript reviews the various clinically available biomarkers in the field of kidney transplantation for a general nephrologist with a focus on the utility of donor-derived cell-free DNA, as a marker of early allograft injury. Blood gene expression profiling, initially studied in the context of early identification of subclinical rejection, awaits validation in larger multicentric trials. Urinary cellular messenger ribonucleic acid and chemokine CXCL10 hold promising potential for early diagnosis of both subclinical and acute rejection. Torque tenovirus, a ubiquitous DNA virus is emerging as a biomarker of immunosuppression exposure as peripheral blood torque tenovirus copy numbers might mirror the intensity of host immunosuppression. Although high-quality evidence is still being generated, evidence and recommendations are provided to aid the general nephrologist in implementation of novel biomarkers in their clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Akshay Athreya
- Division of Nephrology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Division of Nephrology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; Hume-Lee Transplant Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
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5
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Ensminger S, Potena L. Donor-derived Cell-free DNA-Ready for Prime Time Yet? Transplantation 2024; 108:1826-1827. [PMID: 39054576 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000005151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Ensminger
- Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Vascular Surgery, University Heart Center Lübeck, University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Luciano Potena
- Heart Failure and Transplant Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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6
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Bromberg JS, Bunnapradist S, Samaniego-Picota M, Anand S, Stites E, Gauthier P, Demko Z, Prewett A, Armer-Cabral M, Marshall K, Kaur N, Bloom MS, Tabriziani H, Bhorade S, Cooper M. Elevation of Donor-derived Cell-free DNA Before Biopsy-proven Rejection in Kidney Transplant. Transplantation 2024; 108:1994-2004. [PMID: 38595232 PMCID: PMC11335081 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000005007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Standard-of-care biomarkers for renal allograft rejection are lagging indicators, signaling existing organ injury. This precludes early intervention, when immunological cascades leading to rejection are most susceptible. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) shows promise as an early indicator of rejection, allowing earlier and possibly more effective treatment. This analysis was designed to assess this promise using real-world dd-cfDNA testing evidence. METHODS This retrospective analysis of the prospective, observational ProActive registry study (NCT04091984) assessed dd-cfDNA and serum creatinine levels before biopsy in 424 patients with ≥1 dd-cfDNA test (n = 1013) in the 6 mo before biopsy. RESULTS Of 4667 enrolled patients, 1631 patients had ≥18 mo of follow-up data, of which 424 had a biopsy and were included in this analysis. Twenty-six biopsies showed antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), 62 showed T cell-mediated rejection, and 336 showed nonrejection; each from a unique patient. dd-cfDNA fractions were significantly elevated 5 mo before ABMR biopsies, and 2 mo before T cell-mediated rejection biopsies, compared with nonrejection biopsies. In contrast, serum creatinine did not discriminate between rejection and nonrejection in advance, or concurrent with biopsy. Among patients with nonrejection biopsies, estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in cases with ≥2 increased dd-cfDNA results (≥1%), compared with those with 0 or 1 increased dd-cfDNA result. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that dd-cfDNA is an early indicator of biopsy-proven rejection, especially ABMR, suggesting a greater role for dd-cfDNA in surveillance to identify patients at high risk of ongoing or future rejection, thus requiring closer monitoring, biopsy, or other management changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S. Bromberg
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | | | | | | | - Erik Stites
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Matthew Cooper
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
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7
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Akifova A, Budde K, Oellerich M, Beck J, Bornemann-Kolatzki K, Schütz E, Osmanodja B. Perspective for Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA in Antibody-Mediated Rejection After Kidney Transplantation: Defining Context of Use and Clinical Implications. Transpl Int 2024; 37:13239. [PMID: 39188271 PMCID: PMC11345135 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2024.13239] [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: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a major cause of graft failure limiting long-term graft survival after kidney transplantation. Current diagnostic strategy to detect AMR is suboptimal and requires further improvement. Previously suggested treatment regimens for AMR could not demonstrate efficacy, however novel therapeutic agents are currently under investigation. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a novel non-invasive biomarker for allograft injury, that has been mainly studied in the context of rejection. Its short-half-life in circulation and injury-dependent release are its key advantages that contribute to its superior diagnostic accuracy, compared to traditional biomarkers. Moreover, previous studies showed that dd-cfDNA-release is well-linked to histological and molecular features of AMR, and thus able to reflect real-time injury. Further observations suggest that dd-cfDNA can be used as a suitable screening tool for early detection of AMR in patients with donor-specific-anti-HLA-antibodies (DSA), as well as for monitoring AMR activity after anti-rejection treatment. The weight of evidence suggests that the integration of dd-cfDNA in the graft surveillance of patients with AMR, or those suspicious of AMR (e.g., due to the presence of donor-specific anti-HLA-antibodies) has an added value and might have a positive impact on outcomes in this specific cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aylin Akifova
- Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klemens Budde
- Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Oellerich
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Beck
- Chronix Biomedical GmbH, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Bilgin Osmanodja
- Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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8
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Halloran PF, Madill-Thomsen KS, Böhmig G, Bromberg J, Budde K, Barner M, Mackova M, Chang J, Einecke G, Eskandary F, Gupta G, Myślak M, Viklicky O, Akalin E, Alhamad T, Anand S, Arnol M, Baliga R, Banasik M, Bingaman A, Blosser CD, Brennan D, Chamienia A, Chow K, Ciszek M, de Freitas D, Dęborska-Materkowska D, Debska-Ślizień A, Djamali A, Domański L, Durlik M, Fatica R, Francis I, Fryc J, Gill J, Gill J, Glyda M, Gourishankar S, Grenda R, Gryczman M, Hruba P, Hughes P, Jittirat A, Jurekovic Z, Kamal L, Kamel M, Kant S, Kasiske B, Kojc N, Konopa J, Lan J, Mannon R, Matas A, Mazurkiewicz J, Miglinas M, Müller T, Narins S, Naumnik B, Patel A, Perkowska-Ptasińska A, Picton M, Piecha G, Poggio E, Bloudíčkova SR, Samaniego-Picota M, Schachtner T, Shin S, Shojai S, Sikosana MLN, Slatinská J, Smykal-Jankowiak K, Solanki A, Veceric Haler Ž, Vucur K, Weir MR, Wiecek A, Włodarczyk Z, Yang H, Zaky Z. Subthreshold rejection activity in many kidney transplants currently classified as having no rejection. Am J Transplant 2024:S1600-6135(24)00461-1. [PMID: 39117038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2024.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Most kidney transplant patients who undergo biopsies are classified as having no rejection based on consensus thresholds. However, we hypothesized that because these patients have normal adaptive immune systems, T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) and antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) may exist as subthreshold activity in some transplants currently classified as no rejection. To examine this question, we studied genome-wide microarray results from 5086 kidney transplant biopsies (from 4170 patients). An updated molecular archetypal analysis designated 56% of biopsies as no rejection. Subthreshold molecular TCMR and/or ABMR activity molecular activity was detectable as elevated classifier scores in many biopsies classified as no rejection, with ABMR activity in many TCMR biopsies and TCMR activity in many ABMR biopsies. In biopsies classified as no rejection histologically and molecularly, molecular TCMR classifier scores correlated with increases in histologic TCMR features and molecular injury, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, and higher risk of graft loss, and molecular ABMR activity correlated with increased glomerulitis and donor-specific antibody. No rejection biopsies with high subthreshold TCMR or ABMR activity had a higher probability of having TCMR or ABMR, respectively, diagnosed in a future biopsy. We conclude that many kidney transplant recipients have unrecognized subthreshold TCMR or ABMR activity, with significant implications for future problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip F Halloran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology & Transplantation Immunology, University of Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Georg Böhmig
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Klemens Budde
- Department of Nephrology, Charite-Medical University of Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Gunilla Einecke
- Department of Nephrology, Medical University of Hannover, Germany
| | - Farsad Eskandary
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | - Marek Myślak
- Department of Clinical Interventions, Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation SPWSZ Hospital, Pomeranian Medical University, Poland
| | - Ondrej Viklicky
- Department of Nephrology and Transplant Center, Institute for Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Czech Republic
| | - Enver Akalin
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, USA
| | - Tarek Alhamad
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University at St. Louis, USA
| | | | - Miha Arnol
- Department of Nephrology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Mirosław Banasik
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Medical University of Wrocław, Poland
| | - Adam Bingaman
- Department of Surgery, Methodist Transplant and Specialty Hospital, USA
| | | | - Daniel Brennan
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Andrzej Chamienia
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Kevin Chow
- Department of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia
| | - Michał Ciszek
- Department of Immunology, Transplantology and Internal Diseases, Warsaw Medical University, Poland
| | - Declan de Freitas
- Department of Renal Research, Manchester Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alicja Debska-Ślizień
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Leszek Domański
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Poland
| | - Magdalena Durlik
- Department of Transplantology, Immunology, Nephrology and Internal Diseases, Warsaw Medical University, Poland
| | - Richard Fatica
- Department of Kidney Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA
| | | | - Justyna Fryc
- 1st Department of Nephrology and Transplantation With Dialysis Unit, Medical University in Bialystok, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Sita Gourishankar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology & Transplantation Immunology, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Ryszard Grenda
- Department of Nephrology, Kidney Transplantation and Hypertension, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Poland
| | - Marta Gryczman
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University, Poland
| | - Petra Hruba
- Department of Nephrology, Institute for Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Hughes
- Department of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia
| | | | - Zeljka Jurekovic
- Renal Replacement Therapy, Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Merkur, Croatia
| | - Layla Kamal
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | | | - Sam Kant
- Division of Nephrology & Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
| | | | - Nika Kojc
- Department of Pathology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Joanna Konopa
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Roslyn Mannon
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
| | - Arthur Matas
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, University on Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Marius Miglinas
- Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Nephrology Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Lithuania
| | - Thomas Müller
- Nephrology Department, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Beata Naumnik
- 1st Department of Nephrology and Transplantation With Dialysis Unit, Medical University in Bialystok, Poland
| | | | | | - Michael Picton
- Department of Renal Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom
| | - Grzegorz Piecha
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Silesian Medical University, Poland
| | - Emilio Poggio
- Department of Kidney Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas Schachtner
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sung Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine/Assan Medical Center, South Korea
| | - Soroush Shojai
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, USA
| | - Majid L N Sikosana
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology & Transplantation Immunology, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Janka Slatinská
- Department of Nephrology, Institute for Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | - Ksenija Vucur
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Merkur, Croatia
| | - Matthew R Weir
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Maryland, USA
| | - Andrzej Wiecek
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Silesian Medical University, Poland
| | | | - Harold Yang
- Department of Surgery, PinnacleHealth Transplant Associates, USA
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9
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Zajacova A, Mackova M, Halloran K, Gauthier P, Balko J, Guney M, Rakita D, Svorcova M, Kolarik J, Vachtenheim J, Pozniak J, Simonek J, Fila L, Lischke R, Halloran PF, Havlin J. Treatment Responses in Histologic Versus Molecular Diagnoses of Lung Rejection. Transpl Int 2024; 37:12847. [PMID: 39131792 PMCID: PMC11310027 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2024.12847] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Histologic evaluation of allograft biopsies after lung transplantation has several limitations, suggesting that molecular assessment using tissue transcriptomics could improve biopsy interpretation. This single-center, retrospective cohort study evaluated discrepancies between the histology of transbronchial biopsies (TBBs) with no rejection (NR) and T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) by molecular diagnosis. The accuracy of diagnosis was assessed based on response to treatment. 54 TBBs from Prague Lung Transplant Program obtained between December 2015 and January 2020 were included. Patients with acute cellular rejection (ACR) grade ≥ 1 by histology received anti-rejection treatment. Response to therapy was defined as an increase in FEV1 of ≥ 10% 4 weeks post-biopsy compared to the pre-biopsy value. Among the 54 analyzed TBBs, 25 (46%) were concordant with histology, while 29 (54%) showed discrepancies. ACR grade 0 was found in 12 TBBs (22%) and grade A1 ≥ 1 in 42 TBBs (78%). Treatment response was present in 14% in the NR group and in 50% in the TCMR group (p = 0.024). Our findings suggest that low-grade acute cellular rejection is less likely to be associated with molecular TCMR, which might better identify lung transplant recipients who benefit from therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Zajacova
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, Department of Pneumology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - M. Mackova
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - K. Halloran
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - P. Gauthier
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - J. Balko
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - M. Guney
- Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - D. Rakita
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, Department of Pneumology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - M. Svorcova
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, 3rd Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - J. Kolarik
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, 3rd Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - J. Vachtenheim
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, 3rd Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - J. Pozniak
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, 3rd Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - J. Simonek
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, 3rd Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - L. Fila
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, Department of Pneumology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - R. Lischke
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, 3rd Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - P. F. Halloran
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - J. Havlin
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, 3rd Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
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10
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Wiśnicki K, Donizy P, Kuriata-Kordek M, Uchmanowicz I, Zachciał J, Hałoń A, Janczak D, Banasik M. Interstitial Foci Expression of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1: A Potential Biomarker for Kidney Transplant Rejection. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4265. [PMID: 39064305 PMCID: PMC11277928 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Kidney transplantation is the best therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease, but the risk of rejection complicates it. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), an enzyme involved in immune response modulation, has been suggested to play a role in transplant immunological injury. The aim of the study was to explore the expression of IDO1 in the interstitial foci of transplanted kidneys and its potential association with rejection episodes. (2) Methods: This retrospective study analysed kidney transplant biopsies from 121 patients, focusing on IDO1 expression in interstitial foci. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect IDO1, and patients were categorised based on IDO1 presence (IDO1-IF positive or negative). The incidence of rejection was compared between these groups. (3) Results: Patients with IDO1 expression in interstitial foci (IDO1-IF(+)) exhibited higher incidences of rejection 46/80 (57.5%) vs. 10/41 (24.34%) patients compared to IDO1-IF(-) patients, which was statistically significant with p = 0.0005. The analysis of antibody-mediated rejection showed that IDO1-IF(+) patients developed AMR at 12/80 (15%), while only 1 IDO1-IF(-) negative patient did (2,44%), with p = 0.035. T-cell-mediated rejection was also more common in IDO1-IF(+) patients 43/80 (53.75%) than in IDO1-IF(-) patients 7/41 (17.07%), with p = 0.0001. (4) Conclusions: IDO1 expression in interstitial foci of renal transplant biopsies is associated with a higher incidence of rejection, suggesting that IDO1 could serve as a potential biomarker for transplant rejection. These findings highlight the importance of IDO1 in immune regulation and its potential utility in improving the management of kidney transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Wiśnicki
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Piotr Donizy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.D.); (A.H.)
| | - Magdalena Kuriata-Kordek
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Izabella Uchmanowicz
- Department of Nursing and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.U.); (J.Z.)
| | - Justyna Zachciał
- Department of Nursing and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.U.); (J.Z.)
| | - Agnieszka Hałoń
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.D.); (A.H.)
| | - Dariusz Janczak
- Department of Vascular, General and Transplantation Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Mirosław Banasik
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
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11
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Gupta G, Athreya A, Kataria A. Biomarkers in Kidney Transplantation: A Rapidly Evolving Landscape. Transplantation 2024:00007890-990000000-00820. [PMID: 39020463 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000005122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
The last decade has seen an explosion in clinical research focusing on the use of noninvasive biomarkers in kidney transplantation. Much of the published literature focuses on donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA). Although initially studied as a noninvasive means of identifying acute rejection, it is now clear that dd-cfDNA is more appropriately described as a marker of severe injury and irrespective of the etiology, elevated dd-cfDNA ≥0.5% portends worse graft outcomes. Blood gene expression profiling is also commercially available and has mostly been studied in the context of early identification of subclinical rejection, although additional data is needed to validate these findings. Torque teno virus, a ubiquitous DNA virus, has emerged as a biomarker of immunosuppression exposure as peripheral blood Torque teno virus copy numbers might mirror the intensity of host immunosuppression. Urinary chemokine tests including C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 have recently been assessed in large clinical trials and hold promising potential for early diagnosis of both subclinical and acute rejection, as well as, for long-term prognosis. Urinary cellular messenger RNA and exosome vesicular RNA based studies require additional validation. Although current data does not lend itself to conclusion, future studies on multimodality testing may reveal the utility of serial surveillance for individualization of immunosuppression and identify windows of opportunity to intervene early and before the irreversible allograft injury sets in.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Gupta
- Hume-Lee Transplant Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
- Division of Nephrology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Akshay Athreya
- Division of Nephrology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Ashish Kataria
- Division of Nephrology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
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12
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Buscher K, Rixen R, Schütz P, Van Marck V, Heitplatz B, Gabriels G, Jehn U, Braun DA, Pavenstädt H, Reuter S. Unveiling systemic responses in kidney transplantation: interplay between the allograft transcriptome and serum proteins. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1398000. [PMID: 39081308 PMCID: PMC11286594 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1398000] [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: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunity, as defined by systems biology, encompasses a holistic response throughout the body, characterized by intricate connections with various tissues and compartments. However, this concept has been rarely explored in kidney transplantation. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated a direct association between the allograft phenotype and serum protein signatures. Time-matched samples of graft biopsies and blood serum were collected in a heterogeneous cohort of kidney-transplanted patients (n = 15) for bulk RNA sequencing and proteomics, respectively. RNA transcripts exhibit distinct and reproducible, coregulated gene networks with specific functional profiles. We measured 159 serum proteins and investigated correlations with gene expression networks. Two opposing axes-one related to metabolism and the other to inflammation-were identified. They may represent a biological continuum between the allograft and the serum and correlate with allograft function, but not with interstitial fibrosis or proteinuria. For signature validation, we used two independent proteomic data sets (n = 21). Our findings establish a biological link between the allograft transcriptome and the blood serum proteome, highlighting systemic immune effects in kidney transplantation and offering a promising framework for developing allograft-linked biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Buscher
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rebecca Rixen
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Paula Schütz
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Veerle Van Marck
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Barbara Heitplatz
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Gert Gabriels
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrich Jehn
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Daniela Anne Braun
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hermann Pavenstädt
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Reuter
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
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13
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Kim HD, Bae H, Kang H, Lee H, Eum SH, Yang CW, Choi YJ, Chung BH, Oh EJ. Donor-derived cell-free DNA predicted allograft rejection and severe microvascular inflammation in kidney transplant recipients. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1433918. [PMID: 39044817 PMCID: PMC11263016 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1433918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical validity of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in comparison with that of donor specific anti-HLA antibody (DSA) for predicting biopsy-proven rejection (BPR)and severe microvascular inflammation (severe MVI) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Methods In this prospective observational investigation, 64 KTRs who underwent the indicated biopsies were included. Blood samples collected prior to biopsy were tested for dd-cfDNA and DSA. Biopsy specimens were classified by a renal pathologist according to the Banff classification. The predictive performance of dd-cfDNA and DSA for histological allograft diagnosis was assessed. Results KTRs were categorized into the high and low dd-cfDNA groups based on a level of 0.4%. Eighteen patients (28.1%) had positive DSA at biopsy, exhibiting higher dd-cfDNA levels than the DSA-negative patients. BPR and severe MVI incidences were elevated in the high dd-cfDNA group (BPR: 42.9% vs. 3.4%, P <0.001; severe MVI: 37.1% vs. 3.4%, P = 0.001). Also, elevated glomerulitis and MVI scores were observed in the high dd-cfDNA group. DSA showed the highest predictive value for BPR (AUC = 0.880), whereas dd-cfDNA alone excelled in predicting severe MVI (AUC = 0.855). Combination of DSA and dd-cfDNA (>0.4%) yielded sensitivities of 80.0% and 50.0% with specificities of 90.7% and 88.0% for antibody-mediated rejection and severe MVI detection, respectively. Conclusion The dd-cfDNA test is a predictive tool for BPR and severe MVI, and it can improve the performance, especially when combined with DSA for BPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung Duk Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Eunpyeoung St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoo Bae
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunhye Kang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research and Development Institute for In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices of Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanbi Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hun Eum
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Woo Yang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong Jin Choi
- Department of Hospital Pathology, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Ha Chung
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Jee Oh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research and Development Institute for In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices of Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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14
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Lee DH, Usmani A, Wu R, Wicks T, Noh CY, Burke R, Ravichandran V, Wolf-Doty T, Dumitru I, Oliveira GH, Berman P, Mackie B. Relationship between donor-derived cell-free DNA and tissue-based rejection-related transcripts in heart transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2024; 43:1118-1125. [PMID: 38373559 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2024.02.011] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB)-based traditional microscopy remains the gold standard for the detection of cardiac allograft rejection, despite its limitation of inherent subjectivity leading to inter-reader variability. Alternative techniques now exist to surveil for allograft injury and classify rejection. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) testing is now a validated blood-based assay used to surveil for allograft injury. The molecular microscope diagnostic system (MMDx) utilizes intragraft rejection-associated transcripts (RATs) to classify allograft rejection and identify injury. The use of dd-cfDNA and MMDx together provides objective molecular insight into allograft injury and rejection. The aim of this study was to measure the diagnostic agreement between dd-cfDNA and MMDx and assess the relationship between dd-cfDNA and MMDx-derived RATs, which may provide further insight into the pathophysiology of allograft rejection and injury. METHODS This is a retrospective observational study of 156 EMB evaluated with traditional microscopy and MMDx. All samples were paired with dd-cfDNA from peripheral blood before EMB (up to 9 days). Diagnostic agreement between traditional histopathology, MMDx, and dd-cfDNA (threshold of 0.20%) was compared for assessment of allograft injury. In addition, the relationship between dd-cfDNA and individual RAT expression levels from MMDx was evaluated. RESULTS MMDx characterized allograft tissue as no rejection (62.8%), antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) (26.9%), T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) (5.8%), and mixed ABMR/TCMR (4.5%). For the diagnosis of any type of rejection (TCMR, ABMR, and mixed rejection), there was substantial agreement between MMDx and dd-cfDNA (76.3% agreement). All transcript clusters (group of gene sets designated by MMDx) and individual transcripts considered abnormal from MMDx had significantly elevated dd-cfDNA. In addition, a positive correlation between dd-cfDNA levels and certain MMDx-derived RATs was observed. Tissue transcript clusters were correlated with dd-cfDNA scores, including DSAST, GRIT, HT1, QCMAT, and S4. For individual transcripts, tissue ROBO4 was significantly correlated with dd-cfDNA in both nonrejection and rejection as assessed by MMDx. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, we have shown substantial diagnostic agreement between dd-cfDNA and MMDx. Furthermore, based on the findings presented, we postulate a common pathway between the release of dd-cfDNA and expression of ROBO4 (a vascular endothelial-specific gene that stabilizes the vasculature) in the setting of antibody-mediated rejection, which may provide a mechanistic rationale for observed elevations in dd-cfDNA in AMR, compared to acute cellular rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae Hyun Lee
- Heart Transplant Program, Transplant Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida; Heart & Vascular Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida.
| | - Ahsan Usmani
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Robby Wu
- Heart Transplant Program, Transplant Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida; Heart & Vascular Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida
| | - Tammi Wicks
- Heart Transplant Program, Transplant Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida; Heart & Vascular Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida
| | - Caroline Y Noh
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | | | | | | | - Ioana Dumitru
- Heart Transplant Program, Transplant Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida; Heart & Vascular Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida
| | - Guilherme H Oliveira
- Heart Transplant Program, Transplant Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida; Heart & Vascular Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida
| | - Peter Berman
- Heart Transplant Program, Transplant Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida; Heart & Vascular Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida
| | - Benjamin Mackie
- Heart Transplant Program, Transplant Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida; Heart & Vascular Institute, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida.
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15
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Fernandez Valledor A, Moeller CM, Rubinstein G, Rahman S, Oren D, Baranowska J, Lee C, Salazar R, Hennecken C, Rahman A, Elad B, Lotan D, DeFilippis EM, Yunis A, Fried J, Raihkelkar J, Oh KT, Bae D, Lin E, Lee SH, Regan M, Yuzelpolskaya M, Colombo P, Majure DT, Latif F, Clerkin KD, Sayer GT, Uriel N. Clinical Utility of the Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System in a Real-World Transplant Cohort: Moving Towards a New Paradigm. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.06.24.24309444. [PMID: 38978641 PMCID: PMC11230306 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.24.24309444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Objectives To evaluate the clinical implications of adjunctive molecular gene expression analysis (MMDx ) of biopsy specimens in heart transplant (HT ) recipients with suspected rejection. Introduction Histopathological evaluation remains the standard method for rejection diagnosis in HT. However, the wide interobserver variability combined with a relatively common incidence of "biopsy-negative" rejection has raised concerns about the likelihood of false-negative results. MMDx, which uses gene expression to detect early signs of rejection, is a promising test to further refine the assessment of HT rejection. Methods Single-center prospective study of 418 consecutive for-cause endomyocardial biopsies performed between November 2022 and May 2024. Each biopsy was graded based on histology and assessed for rejection patterns using MMDx. MMDx results were deemed positive if borderline or definitive rejection was present. The impact of MMDx results on clinical management was evaluated. Primary outcomes were 1-year survival and graft dysfunction following MMDx-guided clinical management. Secondary outcomes included changes in donor-specific antibodies, MMDx gene transcripts, and donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) levels. Results We analyzed 418 molecular samples from 237 unique patients. Histology identified rejection in 32 cases (7.7%), while MMDx identified rejection in 95 cases (22.7%). Notably, in 79 of the 95 cases where MMDx identified rejection, histology results were negative, with the majority of these cases being antibody-mediated rejection (62.1%). Samples with rejection on MMDx were more likely to show a combined elevation of dd-cfDNA and peripheral blood gene expression profiling than those with borderline or negative MMDx results (36.7% vs 28.0% vs 10.3%; p<0.001). MMDx results led to the implementation of specific antirejection protocols or changes in immunosuppression in 20.4% of cases, and in 73.4% of cases where histology was negative and MMDx showed rejection. 1-year survival was better in the positive MMDx group where clinical management was guided by MMDx results (87.0% vs 78.6%; log rank p=0.0017). Conclusions In our cohort, MMDx results more frequently indicated rejection than histology, often leading to the initiation of antirejection treatment. Intervention guided by positive MMDx results was associated with improved outcomes. Graphical abstract
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16
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Masset C, Danger R, Degauque N, Dantal J, Giral M, Brouard S. Blood Gene Signature as a Biomarker for Subclinical Kidney Allograft Rejection: Where Are We? Transplantation 2024:00007890-990000000-00787. [PMID: 38867352 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000005105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The observation decades ago that inflammatory injuries because of an alloimmune response might be present even in the absence of concomitant clinical impairment in allograft function conduced to the later definition of subclinical rejection. Many studies have investigated the different subclinical rejections defined according to the Banff classification (subclinical T cell-mediated rejection and antibody-mediated rejection), overall concluding that these episodes worsened long-term allograft function and survival. These observations led several transplant teams to perform systematic protocolar biopsies to anticipate treatment of rejection episodes and possibly prevent allograft loss. Paradoxically, the invasive characteristics and associated logistics of such procedures paved the way to investigate noninvasive biomarkers (urine and blood) of subclinical rejection. Among them, several research teams proposed a blood gene signature developed from cohort studies, most of which achieved excellent predictive values for the occurrence of subclinical rejection, mainly antibody-mediated rejection. Interestingly, although all identified genes relate to immune subsets and pathways involved in rejection pathophysiology, very few transcripts are shared among these sets of genes, highlighting the heterogenicity of such episodes and the difficult but mandatory need for external validation of such tools. Beyond this, their application and value in clinical practice remain to be definitively demonstrated in both biopsy avoidance and prevention of clinical rejection episodes. Their combination with other biomarkers, either epidemiological or biological, could contribute to a more accurate picture of a patient's risk of rejection and guide clinicians in the follow-up of kidney transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Masset
- Institut de Transplantation-Urologie-Néphrologie (ITUN), Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology, Nantes, France
| | - Richard Danger
- Institut de Transplantation-Urologie-Néphrologie (ITUN), Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology, Nantes, France
| | - Nicolas Degauque
- Institut de Transplantation-Urologie-Néphrologie (ITUN), Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology, Nantes, France
| | - Jacques Dantal
- Institut de Transplantation-Urologie-Néphrologie (ITUN), Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology, Nantes, France
| | - Magali Giral
- Institut de Transplantation-Urologie-Néphrologie (ITUN), Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology, Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Brouard
- Institut de Transplantation-Urologie-Néphrologie (ITUN), Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology, Nantes, France
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17
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Madill-Thomsen K, Halloran P. Precision diagnostics in transplanted organs using microarray-assessed gene expression: concepts and technical methods of the Molecular Microscope® Diagnostic System (MMDx). Clin Sci (Lond) 2024; 138:663-685. [PMID: 38819301 PMCID: PMC11147747 DOI: 10.1042/cs20220530] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
There is a major unmet need for improved accuracy and precision in the assessment of transplant rejection and tissue injury. Diagnoses relying on histologic and visual assessments demonstrate significant variation between expert observers (as represented by low kappa values) and have limited ability to assess many biological processes that produce little histologic changes, for example, acute injury. Consensus rules and guidelines for histologic diagnosis are useful but may have errors. Risks of over- or under-treatment can be serious: many therapies for transplant rejection or primary diseases are expensive and carry risk for significant adverse effects. Improved diagnostic methods could alleviate healthcare costs by reducing treatment errors, increase treatment efficacy, and serve as useful endpoints for clinical trials of new agents that can improve outcomes. Molecular diagnostic assessments using microarrays combined with machine learning algorithms for interpretation have shown promise for increasing diagnostic precision via probabilistic assessments, recalibrating standard of care diagnostic methods, clarifying ambiguous cases, and identifying potentially missed cases of rejection. This review describes the development and application of the Molecular Microscope® Diagnostic System (MMDx), and discusses the history and reasoning behind many common methods, statistical practices, and computational decisions employed to ensure that MMDx scores are as accurate and precise as possible. MMDx provides insights on disease processes and highly reproducible results from a comparatively small amount of tissue and constitutes a general approach that is useful in many areas of medicine, including kidney, heart, lung, and liver transplants, with the possibility of extrapolating lessons for understanding native organ disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelynn S. Madill-Thomsen
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Philip F. Halloran
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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18
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Xu Y, Wang Y, Zhang D, Zhang H, Wang Y, Wang W, Hu X. An autophagy-associated diagnostic signature based on peripheral blood for antibody-mediated rejection in renal transplantation. Transpl Immunol 2024; 84:102021. [PMID: 38452984 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2024.102021] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) emerged as a major cause of graft loss in renal transplantation. Needle biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis of ABMR in renal allografts. Thus, noninvasive diagnosis methods of ABMR with high accuracy are urgently needed to prevent unnecessary biopsies. METHODS We collected peripheral blood transcriptome data from two independent renal transplantation cohorts with patients with ABMR, stable well-functioning transplants (STA), and T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparing the ABMR group with the STA group. In addition, functional enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis were performed to seek new key underlying mechanisms in ABMR. Subsequently, we utilized a Boruta algorithm and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic algorithm to establish a diagnostic model which was then evaluated and validated in an independent cohort. RESULTS According to functional enrichment analysis, autophagy was found to be the primary upregulated biological process in ABMR. Based on algorithms, three autophagy-associated genes, ubiquitin specific peptidase 33 (USP33), Ras homolog mTORC1 binding (RHEB), and ABL proto-oncogene 2 (ABL2), were selected to establish the diagnostic model in the training cohort. This autophagy-related gene model possessed good diagnostic value in distinguishing ABMR from STA blood samples in the training cohort (AUC = 0.907) and in the validation cohort (AUC = 0.972). In addition, this model also showed good discernibility in distinguishing ABMR from TCMR in the training and validation cohorts (AUCs = 0.908 and 0.833). CONCLUSION We identified and validated an autophagy-associated diagnostic model with high accuracy for renal transplant patients with ABMR. Our study provided a new potential test for the non-invasive diagnosis of ABMR in clinical practice and highlighted the importance of autophagy in ABMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xu
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China; Institute of Urology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yuxuan Wang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China; Institute of Urology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China; Institute of Urology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China; Institute of Urology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yicun Wang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China; Institute of Urology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China; Institute of Urology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xiaopeng Hu
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China; Institute of Urology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
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19
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Laroche C, Engen RM. Immune monitoring in pediatric kidney transplant. Pediatr Transplant 2024; 28:e14785. [PMID: 38766986 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14785] [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: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term outcomes in pediatric kidney transplantation remain suboptimal, largely related to chronic rejection. Creatinine is a late marker of renal injury, and more sensitive, early markers of allograft injury are an active area of current research. METHODS This is an educational review summarizing existing strategies for monitoring for rejection in kidney transplant recipients. RESULTS We summarize supporting currently available clinical tests, including surveillance biopsy, donor specific antibodies, and donor-derived cell free DNA, as well as the potential limitations of these studies. In addition, we review the current avenues of active research, including transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and torque tenovirus levels. CONCLUSION Advancing the use of noninvasive immune monitoring will depend on well-designed multicenter trials that include patients with stable graft function, include biopsy results on all patients, and can demonstrate both association with a patient-relevant clinical endpoint such as graft survival or change in glomerular filtration rate and a potential timepoint for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel M Engen
- University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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20
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Salhi S, Congy-Jolivet N, Hebral AL, Esposito L, Vieu G, Milhès J, Kamar N, Del Bello A. Utility of Routine Post Kidney Transplant Anti-HLA Antibody Screening. Kidney Int Rep 2024; 9:1343-1353. [PMID: 38707794 PMCID: PMC11068955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.02.1394] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction De novo donor-specific antibody (dnDSA) is a strong biomarker associated with the development of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and graft loss after kidney transplantation. This procedure is expensive; however, systematic annual screening was recommended by some national organ transplant agencies or societies even though its clinical utility was not clearly established. Methods To address this question, we retrospectively assessed the incidence of dnDSA according to the test justification (clinically indicated or systematic) in a cohort of low-immunological risk patients, defined by being nonhuman leukocyte antigen (non-HLA)-sensitized and having no previous kidney transplants. Results A total of 1072 patients, for whom 4611 anti-HLA tests were performed, were included in the study. During the follow-up period of 8 (interquartile range, IQR: 5-11) years, 77 recipients developed dnDSA (prevalence of 7.2%). Thirty-five of these dnDSAs (45.5%) were detected during the first year posttransplantation. In 95% of patients with dnDSA, an immunizing event was identified in their medical records. dnDSA was detected in 46 of 4267 systematic screening tests (1.08%) performed. Active and chronic AMR were frequently observed in biopsies performed after systematic DSA testing (17.9% and 15.4%, respectively). Conclusion Our results suggest that the detection by systematic screening of dnDSA in low-immunological risk kidney transplant patients without sensitizing events is a rare event, especially after 1 year. Moreover, in real life, systematic annual screening for dnDSA, seems having a limited impact to detect AMR at an earlier stage compared to patients in whom dnDSA was detected after a clinically indicated test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiane Salhi
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France
- Faculté de santé, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Congy-Jolivet
- Faculté de santé, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- Molecular Immunogenetics Laboratory, EA 3034, Faculté de Médecine Purpan, IFR150 (INSERM), France
- Department of Immunology, CHU de Toulouse, Hôpital de Rangueil, CHU de Toulouse, France
| | - Anne-Laure Hebral
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France
| | - Laure Esposito
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France
| | - Guillaume Vieu
- Etablissement Francais du Sang, CHU de Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean Milhès
- Faculté de santé, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- Molecular Immunogenetics Laboratory, EA 3034, Faculté de Médecine Purpan, IFR150 (INSERM), France
| | - Nassim Kamar
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France
- Faculté de santé, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- INSERM U1043, IFR–BMT, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Arnaud Del Bello
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France
- Faculté de santé, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- INSERM U1297, IFR–BMT, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France
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21
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Gauthier PT, Madill-Thomsen KS, Demko Z, Prewett A, Gauthier P, Halloran PF. Distinct Molecular Processes Mediate Donor-derived Cell-free DNA Release From Kidney Transplants in Different Disease States. Transplantation 2024; 108:898-910. [PMID: 38150492 PMCID: PMC10962427 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among all biopsies in the Trifecta-Kidney Study ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04239703), elevated plasma donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) correlated most strongly with molecular antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) but was also elevated in other states: T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), acute kidney injury (AKI), and some apparently normal biopsies. The present study aimed to define the molecular correlates of plasma dd-cfDNA within specific states. METHODS Dd-cfDNA was measured by the Prospera test. Molecular rejection and injury states were defined using the Molecular Microscope system. We studied the correlation between dd-cfDNA and the expression of genes, transcript sets, and classifier scores within specific disease states, and compared AMR, TCMR, and AKI to biopsies classified as normal and no injury (NRNI). RESULTS In all 604 biopsies, dd-cfDNA was elevated in AMR, TCMR, and AKI. Within AMR biopsies, dd-cfDNA correlated with AMR activity and stage. Within AKI, the correlations reflected acute parenchymal injury, including cell cycling. Within biopsies classified as MMDx Normal and archetypal No injury (NRNI), dd-cfDNA still correlated significantly with rejection- and injury-related genes. TCMR activity (eg, the TCMR Prob classifier) correlated with dd-cfDNA, but within TCMR biopsies, top gene correlations were complex and not the top TCMR-selective genes. CONCLUSIONS In kidney transplants, elevated plasma dd-cfDNA is associated with 3 distinct molecular states in the donor tissue: AMR, recent parenchymal injury (including cell cycling), and TCMR, potentially complicated by parenchymal disruption. Moreover, subtle rejection- and injury-related changes in the donor tissue can contribute to dd-cfDNA elevations in transplants considered to have no rejection or injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick T. Gauthier
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Transcriptome Sciences Inc, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Katelynn S. Madill-Thomsen
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Transcriptome Sciences Inc, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Philip F. Halloran
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Transcriptome Sciences Inc, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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22
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Hanna GJ, Dharanesswaran H, Giobbie-Hurder A, Harran JJ, Liao Z, Pai L, Tchekmedyian V, Ruiz ES, Waldman AH, Schmults CD, Riella LV, Lizotte P, Paweletz CP, Chandraker AK, Murakami N, Silk AW. Cemiplimab for Kidney Transplant Recipients With Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:1021-1030. [PMID: 38252908 PMCID: PMC10950183 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Cemiplimab is approved for treating locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Solid organ transplant recipients have been excluded from immunotherapy trials, given concern for allograft rejection despite their increased risk of skin cancers. Chronic immunosuppression is necessary to prevent organ rejection but may attenuate antitumor response with PD-1 inhibitors. METHODS We report a phase I study of cemiplimab for kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with advanced CSCC. After cross-taper to a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor and pulsed dose corticosteroids (prednisone 40 mg once daily, the day before and on days 1-3 of each cycle, followed by 20 mg once daily on days 4-6, then 10 mg once daily until the day before each subsequent cycle), patients received cemiplimab 350 mg intravenously once every 3 weeks for up to 2 years and were assessed for response every 8 weeks. The primary end point was the rate of kidney rejection, with key secondary end points including rate and duration of response, and survival. RESULTS Twelve patients were treated. No kidney rejection or loss was observed. A response to cemiplimab was observed in five of 11 evaluable patients (46%; 90% CI, 22 to 73), including two with durable responses beyond a year. Median follow-up was 6.8 months (range, 0.7-29.8). Treatment-related grade 3 or greater adverse events occurred in five patients (42%), including diarrhea, infection, and metabolic disturbances. One patient died of angioedema and anaphylaxis attributed to mTOR inhibitor cross-taper. CONCLUSION mTOR inhibitor and corticosteroids represent a favorable immunosuppressive regimen for KTRs with advanced CSCC receiving immunotherapy. This combination resulted in durable antitumor responses with no kidney rejection events (funded by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04339062]).
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn J. Hanna
- Center for Head and Neck Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | | | - John J. Harran
- Center for Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Zixi Liao
- Center for Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Lori Pai
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | | | - Emily S. Ruiz
- Center for Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | | | - Leonardo V. Riella
- Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Patrick Lizotte
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Cloud P. Paweletz
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | - Naoka Murakami
- Division of Renal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Ann W. Silk
- Center for Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
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23
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Pettersson L, Frischknecht L, Westerling S, Ramezanali H, Weidmann L, Lopez KC, Schachtner T, Nilsson J. Detection of donor-derived cell-free DNA in the setting of multiple kidney transplantations. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1282521. [PMID: 38455037 PMCID: PMC10917974 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1282521] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The routine use of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) assays to monitor graft damage in patients after kidney transplantation is being implemented in many transplant centers worldwide. The interpretation of the results can be complicated in the setting of multiple sequential kidney transplantations where accurate donor assignment of the detected dd-cfDNA can be methodologically challenging. Methods We investigated the ability of a new next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based dd-cfDNA assay to accurately identify the source of the detected dd-cfDNA in artificially generated samples as well as clinical samples from 31 patients who had undergone two sequential kidney transplantations. Results The assay showed a high accuracy in quantifying and correctly assigning dd-cfDNA in our artificially generated chimeric sample experiments over a clinically meaningful quantitative range. In our clinical samples, we were able to detect dd-cfDNA from the first transplanted (nonfunctioning) graft in 20% of the analyzed patients. The amount of dd-cfDNA detected from the first graft was consistently in the range of 0.1%-0.6% and showed a fluctuation over time in patients where we analyzed sequential samples. Conclusion This is the first report on the use of a dd-cfDNA assay to detect dd-cfDNA from multiple kidney transplants. Our data show that a clinically relevant fraction of the transplanted patients have detectable dd-cfDNA from the first donor graft and that the amount of detected dd-cfDNA is in a range where it could influence clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lukas Frischknecht
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Lukas Weidmann
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Thomas Schachtner
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Nilsson
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), Zurich, Switzerland
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24
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Sikosana ML, Reeve J, Madill-Thomsen KS, Halloran PF. Using Regression Equations to Enhance Interpretation of Histology Lesions of Kidney Transplant Rejection. Transplantation 2024; 108:445-454. [PMID: 37726883 PMCID: PMC10798587 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Banff system for histologic diagnosis of rejection in kidney transplant biopsies uses guidelines to assess designated features-lesions, donor-specific antibody (DSA), and C4d staining. We explored whether using regression equations to interpret the features as well as current guidelines could establish the relative importance of each feature and improve histologic interpretation. METHODS We developed logistic regression equations using the designated features to predict antibody-mediated rejection (AMR/mixed) and T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR/mixed) in 1679 indication biopsies from the INTERCOMEX study ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01299168). Equations were trained on molecular diagnoses independent of the designated features. RESULTS In regression and random forests, the important features predicting molecular rejection were as follows: for AMR, ptc and g, followed by cg; for TCMR, t > i. V-lesions were relatively unimportant. C4d and DSA were also relatively unimportant for predicting AMR: by AUC, the model excluding them (0.853) was nearly as good as the model including them (0.860). Including time posttransplant slightly but significantly improved all models. By AUC, regression predicted molecular AMR and TCMR better than Banff histologic diagnoses. More importantly, in biopsies called "no rejection" by Banff guidelines, regression equations based on histology features identified histologic and molecular rejection-related changes in some biopsies and improved survival predictions. Thus, regression can screen for missed rejection. CONCLUSIONS Using lesion-based regression equations in addition to Banff histology guidelines defines the relative important of histology features for identifying rejection, allows screening for potential missed diagnoses, and permits early estimates of AMR when C4d and DSA are not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid L.N. Sikosana
- Division of Nephrology and Transplant Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jeff Reeve
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Philip F. Halloran
- Division of Nephrology and Transplant Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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25
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Shi QS, Jiang X, Li M, Fang J, Fu Z, Zhu S, Wu C, Meng Q, Jie T, Askar M. Microvascular activation and exocytosis after exposure to the serum from mismatched recipients by using donor microvascular cultures. Transpl Immunol 2024; 82:101963. [PMID: 38013122 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2023.101963] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microvascular injury resulting from activation and exocytosis are early signs of tissue damage caused by allografting. However, humoral anti-graft reactions are not easily detectable in transplant biopsies. The aim of this study was to establish a bioassay to recapitulate this process in a prospective approach. METHODS The study was executed by using our previously established protocol to isolate and freeze the donors' microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) at the transplantation (34 living-related donors and 26 cadaver donors); and to collect sera from the recipients before the transplantation, one-, three- and six-months after transplantation. The activation and exocytosis of the MVEC were determined by incubating the donors' cultures with the recipients' sera. We determined if there was any endothelial activation by quantifying the releases of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in supernatants and the expressions of membrane intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD54) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD106) by flow cytometry. Endothelial exocytosis was determined by quantifying soluble E-selectin (CD62E) and cytoplasmic von Willebrand Factor (vWF) in supernatants. Endothelial activation or exocytosis was considered positive when the fold change (≧1.5) of post-transplantation to pre-transplantation was reached. We also monitored serum PRA and cytokines using Luminex multiple-plex and cytometric bead-based assay respectively. RESULTS We found 41.2% recipients (14 out of 34, ranging from 1.5 to 5.2 folds, p < 0.05) exhibited positive MVEC activation in the first month after transplantation as determined by IL-8 levels; 26.5% recipients (9 out of 34, ranging from 1.5 to 11.8 folds, p < 0.05) by MCP-1 levels. In the group of three months post-transplantation, 70.6% patients were positive (12 out of 17, ranging from 1.8 to 87.1 folds, p < 0.05) by IL-8 increased levels; 24% recipients (4 out of 17, ranging from 1.8 to 50.5 folds, p < 0.05) measured by MCP-1 levels. However, these changes disappeared six months after transplantation. Flow cytometric data showed that a time-dependent of CD54+ and CD106+ expressions existed over the course of six months. Most CD54+ and CD106+ cells were CD31- (platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1), though CD31+/CD106+ (37.5%, 3 out of 8) and CD31+/CD106+ (25%. 2 out of 8) were seen. When comparing donor MVEC activation to their recipient's proinflammatory cytokine levels or PRA status, we could not draw a conclusion regarding the connections between them. The sera collected from recipients at either one- or three-months after allografting did not significantly induce the release of either soluble CD62E or vWF (p > 0.05), indicating exocytosis was not significantly involved in the acute phase of allografting. CONCLUSIONS This bioassay enables us to detect the activation and exocytosis of donor MVEC elicited by respective sera from mismatched kidney recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Sebastian Shi
- Minnie & Max T. Voelcker Laboratory, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Bio-medicine, S1515 Room, 220 Dongting Road, TEDA, Tianjin, China; Minnie & Max T. Voelcker Laboratory (Suzhou), 1304 Room No. 1 Building, 399 Xiarong Street, Wujiang District, Suzhou, China.
| | - Xin Jiang
- Department of Organ Transplantation, The Fifth Medical College of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 33 Huanghe Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Organ Transplantation, The Fifth Medical College of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 33 Huanghe Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jun Fang
- Department of Organ Transplantation, The Fifth Medical College of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 33 Huanghe Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Zhiqiang Fu
- The Eco-City Hospital of Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital, 3333 He-Chang Road, Eco-City, Tianjin 300367, China
| | - Shengyi Zhu
- Minnie & Max T. Voelcker Laboratory (Suzhou), 1304 Room No. 1 Building, 399 Xiarong Street, Wujiang District, Suzhou, China.
| | - Chengyu Wu
- Transplant Immunology Laboratory, Central Texas Baylor Scott & White Health, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple, TX 76508, USA.
| | - Qianghe Meng
- Department of Surgery, Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
| | - Tun Jie
- Transplant Immunology Laboratory, Central Texas Baylor Scott & White Health, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple, TX 76508, USA.
| | - Medhat Askar
- Transplant Immunology, Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston Ave, 4th Floor of the Y Wing, RM# L-0470, Dallas, TX 75246, USA.
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Shih NR, Nong T, Murphey C, Lopez-Cepero M, Nickerson PW, Taupin JL, Devriese M, Nilsson J, Matignon MB, Bray RA, Lee JH. HLA class I peptide polymorphisms contribute to class II DQβ0603:DQα0103 antibody specificity. Nat Commun 2024; 15:609. [PMID: 38242876 PMCID: PMC10798988 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44912-0] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibodies reactive to human leukocyte antigens (HLA) represent a barrier for patients awaiting transplantation. Based on reactivity patterns in single-antigen bead (SAB) assays, various epitope matching algorithms have been proposed to improve transplant outcomes. However, some antibody reactivities cannot be explained by amino acid motifs, leading to uncertainty about their clinical relevance. Antibodies against the HLA class II molecule, DQβ0603:DQα0103, present in some candidates, represent one such example. Here, we show that peptides derived from amino acids 119-148 of the HLA class I heavy chain are bound to DQβ0603:DQα0103 proteins and contribute to antibody reactivity through an HLA-DM-dependent process. Moreover, antibody reactivity is impacted by the specific amino acid sequence presented. In summary, we demonstrate that polymorphic HLA class I peptides, bound to HLA class II proteins, can directly or indirectly be part of the antibody binding epitope. Our findings have potential important implications for the field of transplant immunology and for our understanding of adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Remi Shih
- Terasaki Innovation Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thoa Nong
- Terasaki Innovation Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cathi Murphey
- Southwest Immunodiagnostics, Inc., San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Peter W Nickerson
- Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jean-Luc Taupin
- Laboratoire d'Immunologie et Histocompatibilité and INSERM U976 IRSL, Hôpital Saint-Louis APHP, Paris, France
| | - Magali Devriese
- Laboratoire d'Immunologie et Histocompatibilité and INSERM U976 IRSL, Hôpital Saint-Louis APHP, Paris, France
| | - Jakob Nilsson
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Robert A Bray
- Department of Pathology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jar-How Lee
- Terasaki Innovation Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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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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Pettersson L, Westerling S, Talla V, Sendel A, Wennberg L, Olsson R, Hedrum A, Hauzenberger D. Development and performance of a next generation sequencing (NGS) assay for monitoring of dd-cfDNA post solid organ transplantation. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 552:117647. [PMID: 37951377 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117647] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the analytical performance of a novel NGS assay, intended for monitoring of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA), and describe its validity in clinical plasma samples from kidney transplanted patients. Artificial and clinical samples with increasing amounts of patient DNA were evaluated using NGS analysis of indel markers. Monitoring of dd-cfDNA with the NGS assay presented herein demonstrated a sensitivity of ≥0.1% dd-cfDNA and excellent accuracy (R2 0.99) throughout an extensive range of dd-cfDNA (0.1-30%). The precision of the test was determined for two levels (0.1% (LoD) and 1%) of dd-cfDNA. The between run precision (CV%) for the respective level was 16% and 9% and the corresponding result for the within run precision was 19% and 7%. To evaluate performance of the assay in clinical samples, 507 retrospective monitoring samples from 21 patients transplanted either with kidneys from living or deceased donors were analyzed. Monitoring samples were sampled at multiple time points from 24 h up to 90 days post-transplantation. We show that in one patient, increase of dd-cfDNA preceded increase of creatinine caused by acute cellular rejection by several days. In conclusion, the NGS assay displayed a combination of high sensitivity with good accuracy and precision in both artificial and clinical dd-cfDNA samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Venkat Talla
- Devyser AB, Instrumentvägen 19, SE-12653 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anton Sendel
- Dept. Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Wennberg
- Clinic for Transplantation Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Richard Olsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Hedrum
- Devyser AB, Instrumentvägen 19, SE-12653 Stockholm, Sweden
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Pradère P, Zajacova A, Bos S, Le Pavec J, Fisher A. Molecular monitoring of lung allograft health: is it ready for routine clinical use? Eur Respir Rev 2023; 32:230125. [PMID: 37993125 PMCID: PMC10663940 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0125-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of long-term lung allograft health in lung transplant recipients (LTRs) requires a fine balancing act between providing sufficient immunosuppression to reduce the risk of rejection whilst at the same time not over-immunosuppressing individuals and exposing them to the myriad of immunosuppressant drug side-effects that can cause morbidity and mortality. At present, lung transplant physicians only have limited and rather blunt tools available to assist them with this task. Although therapeutic drug monitoring provides clinically useful information about single time point and longitudinal exposure of LTRs to immunosuppressants, it lacks precision in determining the functional level of immunosuppression that an individual is experiencing. There is a significant gap in our ability to monitor lung allograft health and therefore tailor optimal personalised immunosuppression regimens. Molecular diagnostics performed on blood, bronchoalveolar lavage or lung tissue that can detect early signs of subclinical allograft injury, differentiate rejection from infection or distinguish cellular from humoral rejection could offer clinicians powerful tools in protecting lung allograft health. In this review, we look at the current evidence behind molecular monitoring in lung transplantation and ask if it is ready for routine clinical use. Although donor-derived cell-free DNA and tissue transcriptomics appear to be the techniques with the most immediate clinical potential, more robust data are required on their performance and additional clinical value beyond standard of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Pradère
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint Joseph and Paris Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Andrea Zajacova
- Prague Lung Transplant Program, Department of Pneumology, Motol University Hospital and 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Saskia Bos
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Institute of Transplantation, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jérôme Le Pavec
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint Joseph and Paris Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Andrew Fisher
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Institute of Transplantation, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Wiśnicki K, Donizy P, Hałoń A, Wawrzonkowski P, Janczak D, Krajewska M, Banasik M. Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in Kidney Transplantation: A Guardian against Rejection. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7531. [PMID: 38137602 PMCID: PMC10743959 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Kidney transplantation is a crucial treatment for end-stage kidney disease, with immunosuppressive drugs helping to reduce acute rejection rates. However, kidney graft longevity remains a concern. This study explores the role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in kidney transplant immunology. IDO1 breaks down tryptophan, affecting immune cell behavior, primarily T-cells. The research focuses on both cellular and antibody-mediated immune responses, often causing graft damage. The study assessed IDO1 expression in renal transplant biopsies from patients with graft function decline, examining its connection to clinical parameters. A total of 121 biopsy samples were evaluated for IDO1 expression using immunohistochemistry. Patients were categorized as IDO1(+) positive or IDO1(-) negative based on immunoreactivity in tubular epithelium. Results showed a significant link between IDO1 expression and rejection incidence. IDO1(+) positive patients had lower rejection rates (32.9%) compared to IDO1(-) negative ones (62.2%) [p = 0.0017], with substantial differences in antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) (5.2% vs. 20%) [p = 0.0085] and T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) (31.6% vs. 57.8%). These associations suggest that IDO1 may play a protective role in kidney transplant rejection. IDO1 modulation could offer novel therapeutic avenues to enhance graft survival. The study underscores IDO1 as a potential marker for rejection risk assessment, with its potential applications in personalized interventions and improved patient outcomes. Further research is needed to fully comprehend the mechanisms behind IDO1's immunomodulatory functions and its potential clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Wiśnicki
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.W.); (M.K.)
| | - Piotr Donizy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.D.); (A.H.)
| | - Agnieszka Hałoń
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.D.); (A.H.)
| | - Patryk Wawrzonkowski
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.W.); (M.K.)
| | - Dariusz Janczak
- Department of Vascular, General and Transplantation Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Krajewska
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.W.); (M.K.)
| | - Mirosław Banasik
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.W.); (M.K.)
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Pagliazzi A, Bestard O, Naesens M. Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA: Attractive Biomarker Seeks a Context of Use. Transpl Int 2023; 36:12406. [PMID: 38106814 PMCID: PMC10722252 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.12406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Pagliazzi
- Nephrology and Renal Transplantation Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Oriol Bestard
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Nephrology Department, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maarten Naesens
- Nephrology and Renal Transplantation Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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32
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Mehlman Y, Valledor AF, Moeller C, Rubinstein G, Lotan D, Rahman S, Oh KT, Bae D, DeFilippis EM, Lin EF, Lee SH, Raikhelkar JK, Fried J, Theodoropoulos K, Colombo PC, Yuzefpolskaya M, Latif F, Clerkin KJ, Sayer GT, Uriel N. The utilization of molecular microscope in management of heart transplant recipients in the era of noninvasive monitoring. Clin Transplant 2023; 37:e15131. [PMID: 37897211 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15131] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Monitoring for graft rejection is a fundamental tenet of post-transplant follow-up. In heart transplantation (HT) in particular, rejection has been traditionally assessed with endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). EMB has potential complications and noted limitations, including interobserver variability in interpretation. Additional tests, such as basic cardiac biomarkers, cardiac imaging, gene expression profiling (GEP) scores, donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) and the novel molecular microscope diagnostic system (MMDx) have become critical tools in rejection surveillance beyond standard EMB. METHODS This paper describes an illustrative case followed by a review of MMDx within the context of other noninvasive screening modalities for rejection. CONCLUSIONS We suggest MMDx be used to assist with early detection of rejection in cases of discordance between EMB and other noninvasive studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonatan Mehlman
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrea Fernendez Valledor
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Cathrine Moeller
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gal Rubinstein
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dor Lotan
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Salwa Rahman
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kyung T Oh
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - David Bae
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ersilia M DeFilippis
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Edward F Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sun Hi Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jayant K Raikhelkar
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Justin Fried
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kleanthis Theodoropoulos
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Paolo C Colombo
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Melana Yuzefpolskaya
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Farhana Latif
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kevin J Clerkin
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gabriel T Sayer
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nir Uriel
- Division of Cardiology, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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Gauthier PT, Mackova M, Hirji A, Weinkauf J, Timofte IL, Snell GI, Westall GP, Havlin J, Lischke R, Zajacová A, Simonek J, Hachem R, Kreisel D, Levine D, Kubisa B, Piotrowska M, Juvet S, Keshavjee S, Jaksch P, Klepetko W, Halloran K, Halloran PF. Defining a natural killer cell-enriched molecular rejection-like state in lung transplant transbronchial biopsies. Am J Transplant 2023; 23:1922-1938. [PMID: 37295720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In lung transplantation, antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) diagnosed using the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation criteria is uncommon compared with other organs, and previous studies failed to find molecular AMR (ABMR) in lung biopsies. However, understanding of ABMR has changed with the recognition that ABMR in kidney transplants is often donor-specific antibody (DSA)-negative and associated with natural killer (NK) cell transcripts. We therefore searched for a similar molecular ABMR-like state in transbronchial biopsies using gene expression microarray results from the INTERLUNG study (#NCT02812290). After optimizing rejection-selective transcript sets in a training set (N = 488), the resulting algorithms separated an NK cell-enriched molecular rejection-like state (NKRL) from T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR)/Mixed in a test set (N = 488). Applying this approach to all 896 transbronchial biopsies distinguished 3 groups: no rejection, TCMR/Mixed, and NKRL. Like TCMR/Mixed, NKRL had increased expression of all-rejection transcripts, but NKRL had increased expression of NK cell transcripts, whereas TCMR/Mixed had increased effector T cell and activated macrophage transcripts. NKRL was usually DSA-negative and not recognized as AMR clinically. TCMR/Mixed was associated with chronic lung allograft dysfunction, reduced one-second forced expiratory volume at the time of biopsy, and short-term graft failure, but NKRL was not. Thus, some lung transplants manifest a molecular state similar to DSA-negative ABMR in kidney and heart transplants, but its clinical significance must be established.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alim Hirji
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | - Greg I Snell
- Alfred Hospital Lung Transplant Service, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Glen P Westall
- Alfred Hospital Lung Transplant Service, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jan Havlin
- University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Jan Simonek
- University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ramsey Hachem
- Washington University in St Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniel Kreisel
- Washington University in St Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Bartosz Kubisa
- Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Stephen Juvet
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shaf Keshavjee
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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34
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Benning L, Morath C, Fink A, Rudek M, Speer C, Kälble F, Nusshag C, Beimler J, Schwab C, Waldherr R, Zeier M, Süsal C, Tran TH. Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in Kidney Transplant Recipients With Indication Biopsy-Results of a Prospective Single-Center Trial. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11899. [PMID: 38020751 PMCID: PMC10654198 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) identifies allograft injury and discriminates active rejection from no rejection. In this prospective study, 106 kidney transplant recipients with 108 clinically indicated biopsies were enrolled at Heidelberg University Hospital between November 2020 and December 2022 to validate the clinical value of dd-cfDNA in a cohort of German patients. dd-cfDNA was quantified at biopsy and correlated to histopathology. Additionally, dd-cfDNA was determined on days 7, 30, and 90 post-biopsy and analyzed for potential use to monitor response to anti-rejection treatment. dd-cfDNA levels were with a median (IQR) % of 2.00 (0.48-3.20) highest in patients with ABMR, followed by 0.92 (0.19-11.25) in patients with TCMR, 0.44 (0.20-1.10) in patients with borderline changes and 0.20 (0.11-0.53) in patients with no signs of rejection. The AUC for dd-cfDNA to discriminate any type of rejection including borderline changes from no rejection was at 0.72 (95% CI 0.62-0.83). In patients receiving anti-rejection treatment, dd-cfDNA levels significantly decreased during the 7, 30, and 90 days follow-up compared to levels at the time of biopsy (p = 0.006, p = 0.002, and p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, dd-cfDNA significantly discriminates active rejection from no rejection. Decreasing dd-cfDNA following anti-rejection treatment may indicate response to therapy. Clinical Trial Registration: https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00023604, identifier DRKS00023604.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Benning
- Department of Nephrology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Morath
- Department of Nephrology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annette Fink
- Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Rudek
- Department of Nephrology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudius Speer
- Department of Nephrology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Kälble
- Department of Nephrology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Nusshag
- Department of Nephrology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jörg Beimler
- Department of Nephrology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Constantin Schwab
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Waldherr
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Zeier
- Department of Nephrology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Caner Süsal
- Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Transplant Immunology Research Center of Excellence, Koç University Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Thuong Hien Tran
- Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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35
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Dreyer GJ, Drabbels JJM, de Fijter JW, van Kooten C, Reinders MEJ, Heidt S. Cell-free DNA measurement of three genomes after allogeneic MSC therapy in kidney transplant recipients indicates early cell death of infused MSC. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1240347. [PMID: 38022634 PMCID: PMC10652747 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1240347] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy is a promising treatment that allows for drug minimization in clinical kidney transplantation. While it is thought that MSCs rapidly go into apoptosis after infusion, clinical evidence for this is scarce since methods to detect cell death of infused cells in vivo are lacking. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has recently gained attention as a biomarker for cell death. Methods In this study, we longitudinally measured cfDNA in plasma samples of the recipient, kidney donor, and allogeneic third-party MSC in the context of the Neptune study. cfDNA levels were measured at several time points before and after allogeneic MSC infusion in the 10 recipients who participated in the Neptune study. cfDNA ratios between the recipient, kidney graft, and MSC were determined. Results We observed a peak in MSC-derived cfDNA 4 h after the first and second infusions, after which MSC-derived cfDNA became undetectable. Generally, kidney graft-derived cfDNA remained in the baseline-level range. Discussion Our results support preclinical data that MSC are short-lived after infusion, also in a clinical in vivo setting, and are relevant for further research into the mechanism of action of MSC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geertje J. Dreyer
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) and Transplant Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jos JM. Drabbels
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Johan W. de Fijter
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) and Transplant Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Cees van Kooten
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) and Transplant Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marlies EJ. Reinders
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) and Transplant Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Heidt
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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36
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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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37
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Zhang J, Yu X, Xie Z, Wang R, Li H, Tang Z, Na N. A bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis of antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplantation. Ren Fail 2023; 45:2257804. [PMID: 37724568 PMCID: PMC10512841 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2023.2257804] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a large obstacle to the long-term survival of allograft kidneys. It is urgent to find novel strategies for its prevention and treatment. Bibliometric analysis is helpful in understanding the directions of one field. Hence, this study aims to analyze the state and emerging trends of AMR in kidney transplantation. METHODS Literature on AMR in kidney transplantation from 1999 to 2022 was collected from the Web of Science Core Collection. HistCite (version 12.03.17), CiteSpace (version 6.2.R2), Bibliometrix 4.1.0 Package from R language, and Gephi (https://gephi.org) were applied to the bibliometric analysis of the annual publications, leading countries/regions, core journals, references, keywords, and trend topics. RESULTS A total of 2522 articles related to AMR in kidney transplantation were included in the analysis and the annual publications increased year by year. There were 10874 authors from 118 institutions located in 70 countries/regions contributing to AMR studies, and the United States took the leading position in both articles and citation scores. Halloran PF from Canada made the most contribution to AMR in kidney transplantation. The top 3 productive journals, American Journal of Transplantation, Transplantation, and Transplantation Proceedings, were associated with transplantation. Moreover, the recent trend topics mainly focused on transplant outcomes, survival, and clinical research. CONCLUSIONS North American and European countries/regions played central roles in AMR of kidney transplantation. Importantly, the prognosis of AMR is the hotspot in the future. Noninvasive strategies like plasma and urine dd-cfDNA may be the most potential direction in the AMR field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Zhang
- Department of kidney transplantation, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaowen Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Kunming Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Zhenwei Xie
- Department of kidney transplantation, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruojiao Wang
- Department of kidney transplantation, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heng Li
- Department of kidney transplantation, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - ZuoFu Tang
- Department of kidney transplantation, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Na
- Department of kidney transplantation, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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38
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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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39
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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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40
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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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41
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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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Jiménez-Coll V, El Kaaoui El Band J, Llorente S, González-López R, Fernández-González M, Martínez-Banaclocha H, Galián JA, Botella C, Moya-Quiles MR, Minguela A, Legaz I, Muro M. All That Glitters in cfDNA Analysis Is Not Gold or Its Utility Is Completely Established Due to Graft Damage: A Critical Review in the Field of Transplantation. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:1982. [PMID: 37370877 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13121982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In kidney transplantation, a biopsy is currently the gold standard for monitoring the transplanted organ. However, this is far from an ideal screening method given its invasive nature and the discomfort it can cause the patient. Large-scale studies in renal transplantation show that approximately 1% of biopsies generate major complications, with a risk of macroscopic hematuria greater than 3.5%. It would not be until 2011 that a method to detect donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) employing digital PCR was devised based on analyzing the differences in SNPs between the donor and recipient. In addition, since the initial validation studies were carried out at the specific moments in which rejection was suspected, there is still not a good understanding of how dd-cfDNA levels naturally evolve post-transplant. In addition, various factors, both in the recipient and the donor, can influence dd-cfDNA levels and cause increases in the levels of dd-cfDNA themselves without suspicion of rejection. All that glitters in this technology is not gold; therefore, in this article, we discuss the current state of clinical studies, the benefits, and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Jiménez-Coll
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Jaouad El Kaaoui El Band
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Santiago Llorente
- Nephrology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Rosana González-López
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Marina Fernández-González
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Helios Martínez-Banaclocha
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - José Antonio Galián
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Carmen Botella
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - María Rosa Moya-Quiles
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Alfredo Minguela
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Isabel Legaz
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), Faculty of Medicine, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Muro
- Immunology Service, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain
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Kobashigawa J, Hall S, Shah P, Fine B, Halloran P, Jackson AM, Khush KK, Margulies KB, Sani MM, Patel JK, Patel N, Peyster E. The evolving use of biomarkers in heart transplantation: Consensus of an expert panel. Am J Transplant 2023; 23:727-735. [PMID: 36870390 PMCID: PMC10387364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
In heart transplantation, the use of biomarkers to detect the risk of rejection has been evolving. In this setting, it is becoming less clear as to what is the most reliable test or combination of tests to detect rejection and assess the state of the alloimmune response. Therefore, a virtual expert panel was organized in heart and kidney transplantation to evaluate emerging diagnostics and how they may be best utilized to monitor and manage transplant patients. This manuscript covers the heart content of the conference and is a work product of the American Society of Transplantation's Thoracic and Critical Care Community of Practice. This paper reviews currently available and emerging diagnostic assays and defines the unmet needs for biomarkers in heart transplantation. Highlights of the in-depth discussions among conference participants that led to development of consensus statements are included. This conference should serve as a platform to further build consensus within the heart transplant community regarding the optimal framework to implement biomarkers into management protocols and to improve biomarker development, validation and clinical utility. Ultimately, these biomarkers and novel diagnostics should improve outcomes and optimize quality of life for our transplant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Kobashigawa
- Department of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA.
| | - Shelley Hall
- Department of Cardiology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Palak Shah
- Department of Cardiology, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Barry Fine
- Department of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Phil Halloran
- Department of Medicine Division of Nephrology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Annette M Jackson
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kiran K Khush
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kenneth B Margulies
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maryam Mojarrad Sani
- Department of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jignesh K Patel
- Department of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nikhil Patel
- Department of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Eliot Peyster
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Madill-Thomsen KS, Böhmig GA, Bromberg J, Einecke G, Eskandary F, Gupta G, Myslak M, Viklicky O, Perkowska-Ptasinska A, Solez K, Halloran PF. Relating Molecular T Cell-mediated Rejection Activity in Kidney Transplant Biopsies to Time and to Histologic Tubulitis and Atrophy-fibrosis. Transplantation 2023; 107:1102-1114. [PMID: 36575574 PMCID: PMC10125115 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We studied the variation in molecular T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) activity in kidney transplant indication biopsies and its relationship with histologic lesions (particularly tubulitis and atrophy-fibrosis) and time posttransplant. METHODS We examined 175 kidney transplant biopsies with molecular TCMR as defined by archetypal analysis in the INTERCOMEX study ( ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01299168). TCMR activity was defined by a molecular classifier. RESULTS Archetypal analysis identified 2 TCMR classes, TCMR1 and TCMR2: TCMR1 had higher TCMR activity and more antibody-mediated rejection ("mixed") activity and arteritis but little hyalinosis, whereas TCMR2 had less TCMR activity but more atrophy-fibrosis. TCMR1 and TCMR2 had similar levels of molecular injury and tubulitis. Both TCMR1 and TCMR2 biopsies were uncommon after 2 y posttransplant and were rare after 10 y, particularly TCMR1. Within late TCMR biopsies, TCMR classifier activity and activity molecules such as IFNG fell progressively with time, but tubulitis and molecular injury were sustained. Atrophy-fibrosis was increased in TCMR biopsies, even in the first year posttransplant, and rose with time posttransplant. TCMR1 and TCMR2 both reduced graft survival, but in random forests, the strongest determinant of survival after biopsies with TCMR was molecular injury, not TCMR activity. CONCLUSIONS TCMR varies in intensity but is always strongly related to molecular injury and atrophy-fibrosis, which ultimately explains its effect on survival. We hypothesize, based on the reciprocal relationship with hyalinosis, that the TCMR1-TCMR2 gradient reflects calcineurin inhibitor drug underexposure, whereas the time-dependent decline in TCMR activity and frequency after the first year reflects T-cell exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georg A. Böhmig
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Gunilla Einecke
- Department of Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Farsad Eskandary
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Division of Nephrology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Marek Myslak
- Department of Clinical Interventions, Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation SPWSZ Hospital, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Ondrej Viklicky
- Department of Nephrology and Transplant Center, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Kim Solez
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Anatomical Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - 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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45
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Atlas-Lazar A, Levy-Erez D. Approach to acute kidney injury following paediatric kidney transplant. Curr Opin Pediatr 2023; 35:268-274. [PMID: 36591982 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In a child with evidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) following renal transplantation, it is important to quickly and accurately diagnose the cause to enable timely initiation of therapeutic interventions. The following article will discuss the differential diagnosis of acute graft dysfunction in paediatric kidney transplant recipients. This review will systematically guide the clinician through the common and less common causes and provide updates on current treatments. RECENT FINDINGS In patients with signs of graft dysfunction, rejection is an important cause to consider. Diagnosis of rejection relies on biopsy findings, an invasive and costly technique. Over the past 5 years, there has been a focus on noninvasive methods of diagnosing rejection, including serum and urinary biomarkers. SUMMARY This review discusses the differential diagnosis of acute graft dysfunction following transplant, with a focus on acute rejection, urinary tract infections and common viral causes, prerenal and postrenal causes, nephrotoxic medications, specifically calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, thrombotic microangiopathy and recurrence of the underlying disease. Each condition is discussed in detail, with a focus on clinical clues to the cause, incidence in the paediatric population, workup and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniella Levy-Erez
- Schneider Children's Medical Center in Israel, Petah Tikva
- Tel Aviv, University School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Osmanodja B, Akifova A, Oellerich M, Beck J, Bornemann-Kolatzki K, Schütz E, Budde K. Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA for Kidney Allograft Surveillance after Conversion to Belatacept: Prospective Pilot Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062437. [PMID: 36983437 PMCID: PMC10051604 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is used as a biomarker for detection of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) and other forms of graft injury. Another potential indication is guidance of immunosuppressive therapy when no therapeutic drug monitoring is available. In such situations, detection of patients with overt or subclinical graft injury is important to personalize immunosuppression. We prospectively measured dd-cfDNA in 22 kidney transplant recipients (KTR) over a period of 6 months after conversion to belatacept for clinical indication and assessed routine clinical parameters. Patient and graft survival was 100% after 6 months, and eGFR remained stable (28.7 vs. 31.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.60). Out of 22 patients, 2 (9%) developed biopsy-proven rejection-one episode of low-grade TCMR IA and one episode of caABMR. While both episodes were detected by increase in creatinine, the caABMR episode led to increase in absolute dd-cfDNA (168 copies/mL) above the cut-off of 50 copies/mL, while the TCMR episode did show slightly increased relative dd-cfDNA (0.85%) despite normal absolute dd-cfDNA (22 copies/mL). Dd-cfDNA did not differ before and after conversion in a subgroup of 12 KTR with previous calcineurin inhibitor therapy and no rejection (12.5 vs. 25.3 copies/mL, p = 0.34). In this subgroup, 3/12 (25%) patients showed increase of absolute dd-cfDNA above the prespecified cut-off (50 copies/mL) despite improving eGFR. Increase in dd-cfDNA after conversion to belatacept is common and could point towards subclinical allograft injury. To detect subclinical TCMR changes without vascular lesions, additional biomarkers or urinary dd-cfDNA should complement plasma dd-cfDNA. Resolving CNI toxicity is unlikely to be detected by decreased dd-cfDNA levels. In summary, the sole determination of dd-cfDNA has limited utility in the guidance of patients after late conversion to belatacept. Further studies should focus on patients undergoing early conversion and include protocol biopsies at least for patients with increased dd-cfDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilgin Osmanodja
- Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Aylin Akifova
- Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Oellerich
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Beck
- Chronix Biomedical GmbH, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Klemens Budde
- Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Halloran PF, Reeve J, Madill-Thomsen KS, Demko Z, Prewett A, Gauthier P, Billings P, Lawrence C, Lowe D, Hidalgo LG. Antibody-mediated Rejection Without Detectable Donor-specific Antibody Releases Donor-derived Cell-free DNA: Results From the Trifecta Study. Transplantation 2023; 107:709-719. [PMID: 36190186 PMCID: PMC9946174 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trifecta (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT04239703) is a prospective trial defining relationships between donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA), donor-specific antibody (DSA), and molecular findings in kidney transplant biopsies. Previous analyses of double results showed dd-cfDNA was strongly associated with rejection-associated molecules in the biopsy. The present study analyzed the triple results in 280 biopsies, focusing on the question of dd-cfDNA levels in DSA-negative antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). METHODS Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System biopsy testing was performed at Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, dd-cfDNA testing at Natera, Inc, and central HLA antibody testing at One Lambda Inc. Local DSA and histologic diagnoses were assigned per center standard-of-care. RESULTS DSA was frequently negative in both molecular (56%) and histologic (51%) AMR. DSA-negative AMR had slightly less molecular AMR activity and histologic peritubular capillaritis than DSA-positive AMR. However, all AMRs-DSA-positive or -negative-showed elevated %dd-cfDNA. There was no association between dd-cfDNA and DSA in biopsies without rejection. In AMR, %dd-cfDNA ≥1.0 was more frequent (75%) than DSA positivity (44%). In logistic regression, dd-cfDNA percent (area under the curve [AUC] 0.85) or quantity (AUC 0.86) predicted molecular AMR better than DSA (AUC 0.66). However, the best predictions incorporated both dd-cfDNA and DSA, plus time posttransplant (AUC 0.88). CONCLUSIONS DSA-negative AMR has moderately decreased mean molecular and histologic AMR-associated features compared with DSA-positive AMR, though similarly elevated dd-cfDNA levels. In predicting AMR at the time of indication biopsies in this population, dd-cfDNA is superior to DSA, reflecting the prevalence of DSA-negative AMR, but the optimal predictions incorporated both dd-cfDNA and DSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip F. Halloran
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Transcriptome Sciences, Inc, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jeff Reeve
- Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Luis G. Hidalgo
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
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First Booster of SARS-COV-2 mRNA Vaccine Is Not Associated With Alloimmunization and Subclinical Injury of Kidney Allograft. Transplantation 2023; 107:e62-e64. [PMID: 36314999 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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49
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Donor-Derived Cell-free DNA for Personalized Immunosuppression in Renal Transplantation. Ther Drug Monit 2023; 45:20-25. [PMID: 36127770 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000001023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long-term outcomes of solid organ transplantation remain suboptimal. Therefore, appropriate biomarkers are needed in addition to immunosuppressive drugs and other traditional approaches for graft monitoring to achieve personalized immunosuppression and reduce premature graft loss. METHODS Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a minimally invasive biomarker of cell death due to graft injury. It can be quantified using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction and next-generation sequencing. Fractional dd-cfDNA determination can be affected by changes in recipient cfDNA, such as those caused by leukopenia or infection, leading to false-positive or false-negative results, respectively. Absolute quantification of dd-cfDNA helps in overcoming this limitation. RESULTS Overall, there is sufficient evidence of the clinical validity of dd-cfDNA. It detects rejection episodes early at an actionable stage and reflects the severity of graft injury without being rejection-specific. Owing to its high negative predictive value, dd-cfDNA is very useful for ruling out graft injury. Dd-cfDNA complements histological findings and can help in avoiding unnecessary biopsies. It indicates a response to rejection treatment and detects underimmunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS Monitoring changes in dd-cfDNA over time may be helpful in adapting immunosuppression to prevent graft rejection. Moreover, serial dd-cfDNA determination may increase the effectiveness of transplant recipient surveillance and facilitate personalized immunosuppression when combined with other relevant clinical and diagnostic findings.
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50
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Huang E, Haas M, Gillespie M, Sethi S, Peng A, Najjar R, Vo A, Jordan SC. An Assessment of the Value of Donor-derived Cell-free DNA Surveillance in Patients With Preserved Kidney Allograft Function. Transplantation 2023; 107:274-282. [PMID: 35913057 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a biomarker validated to detect rejection when measured to assess kidney allograft dysfunction. However, it remains unclear whether routine surveillance with dd-cfDNA provides additional information over standard monitoring of kidney allografts with creatinine and donor-specific antibodies (DSAs), particularly among those with little suspicion of rejection or injury. We investigated the value of measuring dd-cfDNA in patients with preserved allograft function and describe its association with future events. METHODS Three-hundred seventeen kidney transplant recipients with a creatinine ≤1.5 mg/dL, no current DSA, and no prior rejection were assessed with dd-cfDNA and categorized into low (dd-cfDNA <0.5%; n = 239), moderate (dd-cfDNA 0.5% to <1.0%; n = 43), and high (dd-cfDNA ≥1.0%; n = 35) groups. The occurrence of rejection, DSA, graft loss, and change in estimated glomerular filtration rate over time after dd-cfDNA assessment was compared. RESULTS Over follow-up, rejections were more commonly found among patients with high vs low dd-cfDNA (17% versus 5%; P = 0.01); a similar nonsignificant trend was observed among patients with moderate compared to low dd-cfDNA (12% versus 5%; P = 0.13). DSA development was uncommon and not different between groups (low: 4%; moderate: 3%; high: 0%; P = 0.52). There was only 1 graft loss in a patient with low dd-cfDNA, and dd-cfDNA was not associated with graft dysfunction over time. CONCLUSIONS Most patients with elevated dd-cfDNA in conjunction with preserved allograft function remained stable over follow-up without deterioration in function or graft loss. Studies are needed to differentiate patients with elevated dd-cfDNA who will develop adverse outcomes from those who will remain clinically stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund Huang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Mark Haas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Matt Gillespie
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Supreet Sethi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Alice Peng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Reiad Najjar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Ashley Vo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Stanley C Jordan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
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