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Gaál Z. Role of microRNAs in Immune Regulation with Translational and Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1942. [PMID: 38339220 PMCID: PMC10856342 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031942] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 19-23 nucleotide long, evolutionarily conserved noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In this review, involvement of miRNAs is summarized in the differentiation and function of immune cells, in anti-infective immune responses, immunodeficiencies and autoimmune diseases. Roles of miRNAs in anticancer immunity and in the transplantation of solid organs and hematopoietic stem cells are also discussed. Major focus is put on the translational clinical applications of miRNAs, including the establishment of noninvasive biomarkers for differential diagnosis and prediction of prognosis. Patient selection and response prediction to biological therapy is one of the most promising fields of application. Replacement or inhibition of miRNAs has enormous therapeutic potential, with constantly expanding possibilities. Although important challenges still await solutions, evaluation of miRNA fingerprints may contribute to an increasingly personalized management of immune dysregulation with a remarkable reduction in toxicity and treatment side effects. More detailed knowledge of the molecular effects of physical exercise and nutrition on the immune system may facilitate self-tailored lifestyle recommendations and advances in prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Gaál
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 98 Nagyerdei krt, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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Zhang Z, Wang Z, Dong C, Sun C, Zheng W, Wang K, Zhang W, Song Z, Zhao S, Si Z, Gao W, Shen Z. Serum CXCL8 Concentration Can Be Used as a Noninvasive Marker of Subclinical Rejection After Pediatric Liver Transplantation. Transplantation 2023; 107:1999-2008. [PMID: 37607014 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004601] [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: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore whether serum CXCL8 concentration can be used as a noninvasive marker of subclinical rejection (SCR) after pediatric liver transplantation (pLT). METHODS Firstly, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on 22 protocol liver biopsy samples. Secondly, several experimental methods were used to verify the RNA-seq results. Finally, the clinical data and serum samples of 520 LT patients in the Department of Pediatric Transplantation of Tianjin First Central Hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 were collected. RESULTS RNA-seq results indicated that CXCL8 was significantly increased in the SCR group. The results of the 3 experimental methods were consistent with RNA-seq results. According to the 1:2 propensity score matching, 138 patients were divided into the SCR (n = 46) and non-SCR (n = 92) groups. Serological test results indicated that there was no difference in preoperative CXCL8 concentration between the SCR and non-SCR groups ( P > 0.05). However, during protocol biopsy, CXCL8 in the SCR group was significantly higher than in the non-SCR group ( P < 0.001). In diagnosing SCR, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of CXCL8 was 0.966 (95% confidence interval, 0.938-0.995), sensitivity was 95%, and specificity was 94.6%. In differentiating nonborderline from borderline rejection, the area under the curve of CXCL8 was 0.853 (95% confidence interval, 0.718-0.988), sensitivity was 86.7%, and specificity was 94.6%. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that serum CXCL8 concentration has high accuracy for the diagnosis and disease stratification of SCR after pLT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixin Zhang
- First Central Clinic Institute, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhenglu Wang
- Department of Pediatric Transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chong Dong
- Department of Pediatric Transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao Sun
- Department of Pediatric Transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiping Zheng
- Department of Pediatric Transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Pediatric Transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuolun Song
- Department of Pediatric Transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shengqiao Zhao
- First Central Clinic Institute, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuyuan Si
- First Central Clinic Institute, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Pediatric Transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - ZhongYang Shen
- Department of Pediatric Transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Berenguer M, de Martin E, Hessheimer AJ, Levitsky J, Maluf DG, Mas VR, Selzner N, Hernàndez-Èvole H, Lutu A, Wahid N, Zubair H. European Society for Organ Transplantation Consensus Statement on Biomarkers in Liver Transplantation. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11358. [PMID: 37711401 PMCID: PMC10498996 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Currently, one-year survival following liver transplantation (LT) exceeds 90% in large international registries, and LT is considered definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease and liver cancer. Recurrence of disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), significantly hampers post-LT outcomes. An optimal approach to immunosuppression (IS), including safe weaning, may benefit patients by mitigating the effect on recurrent diseases, as well as reducing adverse events associated with over-/under-IS, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Prediction of these outcome measures-disease recurrence, CKD, and immune status-has long been based on relatively inaccurate clinical models. To address the utility of new biomarkers in predicting these outcomes in the post-LT setting, the European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) and International Liver Transplant Society (ILTS) convened a working group of experts to review literature pertaining to primary disease recurrence, development of CKD, and safe weaning of IS. Summaries of evidence were presented to the group of panelists and juries to develop guidelines, which were discussed and voted in-person at the Consensus Conference in Prague November 2022. The consensus findings and recommendations of the Liver Working Group on new biomarkers in LT, clinical applicability, and future needs are presented in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Berenguer
- Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Unit, Hospital Universitario la Fe - IIS La Fe Valencia, CiberEHD and University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eleonora de Martin
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Inserm UMR-S 1193, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Amelia J. Hessheimer
- General & Digestive Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Josh Levitsky
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Daniel G. Maluf
- Program in Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Valeria R. Mas
- Surgical Sciences Research in Transplantation, Chief Surgical Sciences Division, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nazia Selzner
- Ajmera Transplant Center, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Alina Lutu
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Inserm UMR-S 1193, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Nabeel Wahid
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Haseeb Zubair
- Surgical Sciences Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Montano-Loza AJ, Rodríguez-Perálvarez ML, Pageaux GP, Sanchez-Fueyo A, Feng S. Liver transplantation immunology: Immunosuppression, rejection, and immunomodulation. J Hepatol 2023; 78:1199-1215. [PMID: 37208106 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Outcomes after liver transplantation have continuously improved over the past decades, but long-term survival rates are still lower than in the general population. The liver has distinct immunological functions linked to its unique anatomical configuration and to its harbouring of a large number of cells with fundamental immunological roles. The transplanted liver can modulate the immunological system of the recipient to promote tolerance, thus offering the potential for less aggressive immunosuppression. The selection and adjustment of immunosuppressive drugs should be individualised to optimally control alloreactivity while mitigating toxicities. Routine laboratory tests are not accurate enough to make a confident diagnosis of allograft rejection. Although several promising biomarkers are being investigated, none of them is sufficiently validated for routine use; hence, liver biopsy remains necessary to guide clinical decisions. Recently, there has been an exponential increase in the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors due to the unquestionable oncological benefits they provide for many patients with advanced-stage tumours. It is expected that their use will also increase in liver transplant recipients and that this might affect the incidence of allograft rejection. Currently, the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in liver transplant recipients is limited and cases of severe allograft rejection have been reported. In this review, we discuss the clinical relevance of alloimmune disease, the role of minimisation/withdrawal of immunosuppression, and provide practical guidance for using checkpoint inhibitors in liver transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo J Montano-Loza
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Manuel L Rodríguez-Perálvarez
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, IMIBIC, Córdoba, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Madrid, Spain
| | - George-Philippe Pageaux
- Liver Transplantation Unit, Digestive Department, Saint Eloi University Hospital, University of Montpellier, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Alberto Sanchez-Fueyo
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London University and King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sandy Feng
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Millán O, Ruiz P, Julian J, Lizana A, Fundora Y, Crespo G, Colmenero J, Navasa M, Brunet M. A plasmatic score using a miRNA signature and CXCL-10 for accurate prediction and diagnosis of liver allograft rejection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1196882. [PMID: 37325660 PMCID: PMC10265684 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1196882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The use of noninvasive biomarkers may avoid the need for liver biopsy (LB) and could guide immunosuppression adjustment in liver transplantation (LT). The aims of this study were: to confirm the predictive and diagnostic capacity of plasmatic expression of miR-155-5p, miR-181a-5p, miR-122-5p and CXCL-10 for assessing T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) risk; to develop a score based on a panel of noninvasive biomarkers to predict graft rejection risk and to validate this score in a separate cohort. Methods A prospective, observational study was conducted with a cohort of 79 patients followed during the first year after LT. Plasma samples were collected at predetermined time points for the analysis of miRNAs and the CXCL-10. Patients with LFTs abnormalities were submitted to a LB to rule out rejection, assessing previous and concurrent expression of the biomarkers to evaluate their predictive and diagnostic ability. Information from 86 patients included in a previous study was collected and used as a validation cohort. Results Twenty-four rejection episodes were diagnosed in 22 patients. Plasmatic CXCL-10 concentration and the expression of the three miRNAs were significantly elevated prior to and at the moment of the diagnosis of rejection. We developed a logistic model for rejection prediction and diagnosis, which included CXCL-10, miR-155-5p and miR-181a-5p. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) for rejection prediction was 0.975 (79.6% sensitivity, 99.1% specificity, 90,7% PPV; 97.7% NPV; 97.1% correctly classified) and 0.99 for diagnosis (87.5% sensitivity, 99.5% specificity, 91.3% PPV; 99.3% NPV; 98.9% correctly classified). In the validation cohort (n=86; 14 rejections), the same cut-off points were used obtaining AUROCs for rejection prediction and diagnosis of 0.89 and 0.92 respectively. In patients with graft dysfunction in both cohorts the score could discriminate those with rejection regarding other causes with an AUROC of 0.98 (97.3% sensitivity, 94.1%specificity). Conclusion These results suggest that the clinical implementation of the monitoring of this noninvasive plasmatic score may allow the prediction and diagnosis of rejection and identify patients with graft dysfunction due to rejection, helping with a more efficient guide for immunosuppressive therapy adjustment. This finding warrants the development of prospective biomarker-guided clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Millán
- Biomedical Research Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCII), Madrid, Spain
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Center (CDB), Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Ruiz
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judit Julian
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Center (CDB), Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Center, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Lizana
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Center (CDB), Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yiliam Fundora
- Biomedical Research Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of General and Digestive Surgery, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Crespo
- Biomedical Research Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCII), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Colmenero
- Biomedical Research Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCII), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Navasa
- Biomedical Research Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCII), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Brunet
- Biomedical Research Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCII), Madrid, Spain
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Center (CDB), Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Xue X, Wang J, Fu K, Dai S, Wu R, Peng C, Li Y. The role of miR-155 on liver diseases by modulating immunity, inflammation and tumorigenesis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109775. [PMID: 36753984 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109775] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The liver is a well-known metabolic organ that can be susceptible to external stimuli to affect its normal physiological function. Worldwide, the morbidity and mortality of liver diseases are skyrocketing every year, causing human health crises. Recently, new approaches such as biotechnology have been introduced to achieve optimal treatment and prognostic management of liver diseases. microRNAs (miRNAs), a kind of small non-coding RNA molecule, have the advantages of biodiversity, wide distribution and numerous members. Among these miRNAs, miR-155 is an important regulator of inflammation, immunity and tumorigenesis. In this review, the PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched from 2009 to 2022. After inclusion and exclusion, 64 articles were selected for a systematic review to comprehensively summarize the mechanisms of miR-155 regulating inflammation, immunity and tumorigenesis in liver diseases and liver cancer, covering in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. Existing preclinical studies and clinical trials have listed that the up-regulation and down-regulation of miR-155 are significant in alcoholic liver injury, viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, infectious liver injury, liver transplantation and liver cancer. The immune and inflammation effects of miR-155 are manifested by regulating macrophage polarization, NK cell killing, Th17 cell and Th1/Th2 cell differentiation. Additionally, miR-155 is also committed to participating in the cell cycle, invasion and metastasis, immune escape and other processes to promote and intensify the development of liver cancer. In conclusion, miR-155 is not only a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of liver diseases, but also plays a therapeutic role via regulating immunity, inflammation and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Ke Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Shu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Rui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Yunxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
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Zhang Z, Zhao S, Si Z, Wang Z, Dong C, Sun C, Zheng W, Kai W, Zhang W, Song Z, Gao W, Shen Z. Incidence and risk factors of subclinical rejection after pediatric liver transplantation, and impact on allograft fibrosis. Clin Transplant 2023; 37:e14894. [PMID: 36581321 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14894] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Subclinical rejection (SCR) is a common injury in protocol biopsy after pediatric liver transplantation (pLT), but its effect on the recipient is not clearly understood. We herein investigated the incidence and risk factors involved in SCR and analyzed the relationship between SCR and allograft fibrosis (AF). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the biopsy results from 507 children between May 2013 and May 2019, and 352 patients underwent protocol biopsy 2 years after pLT, 203 underwent protocol biopsy 5 years after pLT, and 48 underwent protocol biopsy both 2 and 5 years after pLT. RESULTS The incidence of SCR in the 5-year group was higher than that in the 2-year group (20.2% vs.13.4%, respectively, p = .033). The number of patients with mild and moderate SCR in the 5-year group was also higher than that in the 2-year group (p = .039). Logistic regression analysis showed that acute rejection before liver biopsy and deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) were independent risk factors for SCR in the two groups, and that the incidence and severity of AF in protocol biopsies at both periods in the SCR group were higher than those in the non-SCR group (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS The incidence and severity of SCR increased with the prolongation of protocol biopsy time. We postulate that acute rejection and DDLT are independent risk factors for SCR after transplantation. As the occurrence of SCR also augmented the incidence and severity of AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixin Zhang
- First Central Clinic Institute, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shengqiao Zhao
- First Central Clinic Institute, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuyuan Si
- First Central Clinic Institute, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhenglu Wang
- Department of pediatric transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chong Dong
- Department of pediatric transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao Sun
- Department of pediatric transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiping Zheng
- Department of pediatric transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wang Kai
- Department of pediatric transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of pediatric transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuolun Song
- Department of pediatric transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of pediatric transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhongyang Shen
- Department of pediatric transplantation, Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Aparicio-Puerta E, Hirsch P, Schmartz GP, Fehlmann T, Keller V, Engel A, Kern F, Hackenberg M, Keller A. isomiRdb: microRNA expression at isoform resolution. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:D179-D185. [PMID: 36243964 PMCID: PMC9825445 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A significant fraction of mature miRNA transcripts carries sequence and/or length variations, termed isomiRs. IsomiRs are differentially abundant in cell types, tissues, body fluids or patients' samples. Not surprisingly, multiple studies describe a physiological and pathophysiological role. Despite their importance, systematically collected and annotated isomiR information available in databases remains limited. We thus developed isomiRdb, a comprehensive resource that compiles miRNA expression data at isomiR resolution from various sources. We processed 42 499 human miRNA-seq datasets (5.9 × 1011 sequencing reads) and consistently analyzed them using miRMaster and sRNAbench. Our database provides online access to the 90 483 most abundant isomiRs (>1 RPM in at least 1% of the samples) from 52 tissues and 188 cell types. Additionally, the full set of over 3 million detected isomiRs is available for download. Our resource can be queried at the sample, miRNA or isomiR level so users can quickly answer common questions about the presence/absence of a particular miRNA/isomiR in tissues of interest. Further, the database facilitates to identify whether a potentially interesting new isoform has been detected before and its frequency. In addition to expression tables, isomiRdb can generate multiple interactive visualisations including violin plots and heatmaps. isomiRdb is free to use and publicly available at: https://www.ccb.uni-saarland.de/isomirdb.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Georges P Schmartz
- Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Tobias Fehlmann
- Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany,Rejuvenome, Astera Institute, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA
| | - Verena Keller
- Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany,Department for Internal Medicine II, Saarland University Hospital, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Annika Engel
- Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Fabian Kern
- Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany,Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)–Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Michael Hackenberg
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Andreas Keller
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +49 681 30268611; Fax: +49 681 30268610;
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Taner T, Bruner J, Emaumaullee J, Bonaccorsi-Riani E, Zarrinpar A. New Approaches to the Diagnosis of Rejection and Prediction of Tolerance in Liver Transplantation. Transplantation 2022; 106:1952-1962. [PMID: 35594482 PMCID: PMC9529763 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Immunosuppression after liver transplantation is essential for preventing allograft rejection. However, long-term drug toxicity and associated complications necessitate investigation of immunosuppression minimization and withdrawal protocols. Development of such protocols is hindered by reliance on current paradigms for monitoring allograft function and rejection status. The current standard of care for diagnosis of rejection is histopathologic assessment and grading of liver biopsies in accordance with the Banff Rejection Activity Index. However, this method is limited by cost, sampling variability, and interobserver variation. Moreover, the invasive nature of biopsy increases the risk of patient complications. Incorporating noninvasive techniques may supplement existing methods through improved understanding of rejection causes, hepatic spatial architecture, and the role of idiopathic fibroinflammatory regions. These techniques may also aid in quantification and help integrate emerging -omics analyses with current assessments. Alternatively, emerging noninvasive methods show potential to detect and distinguish between different types of rejection while minimizing risk of adverse advents. Although biomarkers have yet to replace biopsy, preliminary studies suggest that several classes of analytes may be used to detect rejection with greater sensitivity and in earlier stages than traditional methods, possibly when coupled with artificial intelligence. Here, we provide an overview of the latest efforts in optimizing the diagnosis of rejection in liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timucin Taner
- Departments of Surgery & Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Julia Bruner
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Juliet Emaumaullee
- Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eliano Bonaccorsi-Riani
- Abdominal Transplant Unit, Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ali Zarrinpar
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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10
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Aissa AF, Tryndyak VP, de Conti A, Rita Thomazela Machado A, Tuttis K, da Silva Machado C, Hernandes LC, Wellington da Silva Santos P, Mara Serpeloni J, P Pogribny I, Maria Greggi Antunes L. Epigenetic changes induced in mice liver by methionine-supplemented and methionine-deficient diets. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 163:112938. [PMID: 35314295 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.112938] [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: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A diet deficient in donors of methyl group, such as methionine, affects DNA methylation and hepatic lipid metabolism. Methionine also affects other epigenetic mechanisms, such as microRNAs. We investigated the effects of methionine-supplemented or methionine-deficient diets on the expression of chromatin-modifying genes, global DNA methylation, the expression and methylation of genes related to lipid metabolism, and the expression of microRNAs in mouse liver. Female Swiss albino mice were fed a control diet (0.3% methionine), a methionine-supplemented diet (2% methionine), and a methionine-deficient diet (0% methionine) for 10 weeks. The genes most affected by the methionine-supplemented diet were associated with histone and DNA methyltransferases activity, while the methionine-deficient diet mostly altered the expression of histone methyltransferases genes. Both diets altered the global DNA methylation and the expression and gene-specific methylation of the lipid metabolism gene Apoa5. Both diets altered the expression of several liver homeostasis-related microRNAs, including miR-190b-5p, miR-130b-3p, miR-376c-3p, miR-411-5p, miR-29c-3p, miR-295-3p, and miR-467d-5p, with the methionine-deficient diet causing a more substantial effect. The effects of improper amounts of methionine in the diet on liver pathologies may involve a cooperative action of chromatin-modifying genes, which results in an aberrant pattern of global and gene-specific methylation, and microRNAs responsible for liver homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Ferro Aissa
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Volodymyr P Tryndyak
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Aline de Conti
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Ana Rita Thomazela Machado
- Departament of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Katiuska Tuttis
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carla da Silva Machado
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Lívia Cristina Hernandes
- Departament of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrick Wellington da Silva Santos
- Departament of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Mara Serpeloni
- Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Igor P Pogribny
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Lusânia Maria Greggi Antunes
- Departament of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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11
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Fernández-Galán E, Badenas C, Fondevila C, Jiménez W, Navasa M, Puig-Butillé JA, Brunet M. Monitoring of Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA by Short Tandem Repeats: Concentration of Total Cell-Free DNA and Fragment Size for Acute Rejection Risk Assessment in Liver Transplantation. Liver Transpl 2022; 28:257-268. [PMID: 34407295 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring of graft function is essential during the first months after liver transplantation (LT), but current liver function tests (LFTs) lack the specificity and sensitivity to ensure an efficient diagnosis of acute rejection (AR). Recently, donor-derived cell-free DNA (ddcfDNA) has emerged as a noninvasive biomarker to assess graft integrity. This study evaluated the feasibility of measuring the ddcfDNA through short tandem repeat (STR) analysis by quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) and to assess the role of the concentration and fragment size of total cfDNA as AR biomarkers. The total concentration and fragment size of cfDNA and the ddcfDNA percentage were monitored in plasma of 20 patients without rejection and 7 patients with T-cell-mediated AR during the first 3 months after LT. The median ddcfDNA percentage was 3-fold higher before AR diagnosis (34.8%; P < 0.001) and moderately higher at AR confirmatory diagnosis (23.8%; P = 0.049) compared with that of nonrejector patients (10.6%), showing a better performance (area under the curve = 84.6%) than conventional LFTs to predict the risk of rejection within the first 2 weeks following LT. The fraction of 100-250-bp cfDNA fragments was higher at AR diagnosis compared with that of nonrejector patients (68.0% versus 57.9%, P = 0.02). STR amplification by QF-PCR may be an alternative strategy for rapid ddcfDNA quantification, which is easily implementable in clinical laboratories. The results of this pilot study indicate that ddcfDNA increases very early, even 1-2 weeks before the diagnosis of AR, and so it could be useful as a prognostic biomarker in improving patient risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Fernández-Galán
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Celia Badenas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Constantino Fondevila
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,General and Digestive Surgery Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Wladimiro Jiménez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Navasa
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain.,Liver Transplant Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Anton Puig-Butillé
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Molecular Biology CORE Laboratory, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Brunet
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
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12
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13
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Bardhi E, McDaniels J, Rousselle T, Maluf DG, Mas VR. Nucleic acid biomarkers to assess graft injury after liver transplantation. JHEP REPORTS : INNOVATION IN HEPATOLOGY 2022; 4:100439. [PMID: 35243279 PMCID: PMC8856989 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many risk factors and complications impact the success of liver transplantation, such as ischaemia-reperfusion injury, acute rejection, and primary graft dysfunction. Molecular biomarkers have the potential to accurately diagnose, predict, and monitor injury progression or organ failure. There is a critical opportunity for reliable and non-invasive biomarkers to reduce the organ shortage by enabling i) the assessment of donor organ quality, ii) the monitoring of short- and long-term graft function, and iii) the prediction of acute and chronic disease development. To date, no established molecular biomarkers have been used to guide clinical decision-making in transplantation. In this review, we outline the recent advances in cell-free nucleic acid biomarkers for monitoring graft injury in liver transplant recipients. Prior work in this area can be divided into two categories: biomarker discovery and validation studies. Circulating nucleic acids (CNAs) can be found in the extracellular environment pertaining to different biological fluids such as bile, blood, urine, and perfusate. CNAs that are packaged into extracellular vesicles may facilitate intercellular and interorgan communication. Thus, decoding their biological function, cellular origins and molecular composition is imperative for diagnosing causes of graft injury, guiding immunosuppression and improving overall patient survival. Herein, we discuss the most promising molecular biomarkers, their state of development, and the critical aspects of study design in biomarker research for early detection of post-transplant liver injury. Future advances in biomarker studies are expected to personalise post-transplant therapy, leading to improved patient care and outcomes.
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14
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Cao Q, Li Y, Li Y, Li L. miR-151-5p alleviates corneal allograft rejection by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and balancing Th17/Treg after corneal transplantation via targeting IL-2Rɑ. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1410. [PMID: 34733962 PMCID: PMC8506781 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Worldwide, corneal transplantation (CT) is the most common type of tissue replacement and the increased rate of corneal graft rejection (CGR) after CT is a critical problem. Corneal endothelium cells (CECs) are often targets of the immune response mediated by graft-attacking effector T cells. However, the molecular mechanism underlying CGR remains poorly understood. Methods The differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNA of graft-fail corneas were measured by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq). real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure gene expression levels. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to measure protein expression levels. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed to assess corneal graft survival. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used for histopathological examination. CCK-8 and ELISA staining were used to detect cell viability and inflammatory cytokines levels, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and the population of Treg and Th17. Transwell migration and wound-healing assays were used to measure cell migration. Results We identified 453 miRNAs and 4,279 mRNAs aberrant expression in the corneas showing CGR. The differentially expressed miR-151-5p and its potential target gene [interleukin 2 receptor subunit alpha (IL-2Rɑ)] were selected from the RNA-Seq microarrays. The levels of miR-151-5p and IL-2Rɑ were respectively downregulated and upregulated in the CGR. The luciferase activity assay suggested that IL-2Rɑ is a target of miR-151-5p in 293 T cells. In addition, the miR-151-5p inhibitor, si-IL-2Rɑ, and oe-IL-2Rɑ transfection tests in CECs further confirmed that miR-151-5p downregulation and IL-2Rɑ overexpression promoted apoptosis of CECs and inhibited CEC migration, tight junction-related protein ZO-1 and Claudin-5 expression, and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activity; however, downregulation of IL-2Rɑ abolished the inhibitor effect of miR-151-5p. Similarly, upregulation of miR-151-5p alleviated CGR via activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and balancing of Th17/Treg, and upregulation of IL-2Rɑ abolished the alleviating effect of miR-151-5p. Conclusions Upregulation of miR-151-5p alleviated CGR by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and balancing Th17/Treg via targeting of IL-2Rɑ, which contributes to improving the results of CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Calmette Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yunchuan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Calmette Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Calmette Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Lan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Calmette Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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15
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Brunet M, Millán O. Getting immunosuppression just right: the role of clinical biomarkers in predicting patient response post solid organ transplantation. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2021; 14:1467-1479. [PMID: 34607521 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2021.1987882] [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: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Actually, immunosuppression selection isn't based on individual immune alloreactivity, and immunosuppressive drug dosing is mainly based on the development of toxicity and the achievement of specific target concentrations. Since a successful outcome requires optimal patient risk stratification and treatment, several groups have evaluated candidate biomarkers that have shown promise in the assessment of individual immune responses, the prediction of personal pharmacodynamic effects of immunosuppressive drugs and the prognosis and diagnosis of graft outcomes.. AREAS COVERED This review includes biomarkers that the Scientific Community in Solid Organ Transplantation currently considers to have potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of graft evolution. We have focused on recent scientific advances and expert recommendations regarding the role of specific and non-specific pharmacodynamic biomarkers that are mainly involved in the T-cell-mediated response. EXPERT OPINION Integral pharmacologic monitoring that combines pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics and predictive pharmacodynamic biomarkers may provide crucial information and allow personal adjustment of immunosuppressive drugs at an early stage before severe adverse events ensue. Multicentre, randomized, prospective and interventional trials are needed to fine tune the established cut-off values for each biomarker and the optimal monitoring frequency for each biomarker and to accurately evaluate possible clinical confounding factors to enable correct clinical qualification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercè Brunet
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, CDB, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Olga Millán
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, CDB, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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16
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Achieving operational tolerance remains a priority in liver transplantation. Although several biomarkers of tolerance and rejection have been identified, few have been reproducible and validated across centers, and therefore have yet to reach clinical practice. Here we summarize findings from prior seminal studies and review current developments in profiling the liver allograft. RECENT FINDINGS Substantial efforts and progress have been made in the recent years towards the discovery of reliable biomarkers that can predict and guide successful immunosuppression withdrawal. Recent studies have also investigated the transcriptomic signatures underlying not only acute rejection but also subclinical inflammation and chronic allograft injury. SUMMARY As new genomic and sequencing technologies continue to develop, clinical trials are underway to validate biomarkers of tolerance, as well as better understand the mechanisms of both acute and subclinical rejection, with the goal of maximizing allograft survival. Altogether, this will hopefully enable the implementation of immunosuppression withdrawal protocols into clinical practice and make operational tolerance reliably attainable in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josh Levitsky
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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17
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Ruiz P, Millán O, Ríos J, Díaz A, Sastre L, Colmenero J, Crespo G, Brunet M, Navasa M. MicroRNAs 155-5p, 122-5p, and 181a-5p Identify Patients With Graft Dysfunction Due to T Cell-Mediated Rejection After Liver Transplantation. Liver Transpl 2020; 26:1275-1286. [PMID: 32615025 DOI: 10.1002/lt.25842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that can be detected in plasma and whose expression is associated with pathological processes. The role of miRNAs in the noninvasive diagnosis of T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) after liver transplantation (LT) is unclear. Thus, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of a panel of 4 miRNAs (155-5p, 122-5p, 181a-5p, and 148-3p) in diagnosing TCMR in LT recipients with graft dysfunction (GD), and we compared its accuracy with previously published tests for diagnosing TCMR based on routine laboratory parameters. From a prospective cohort of 145 patients followed during the first year after transplant, 49 developed GD and underwent a liver biopsy and plasma collection for miRNA analysis using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Patients with GD due to TCMR (n = 21) exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.001) expression of miRNA 155-5p (2.05 versus 0.07), 122-5p (19.36 versus 1.66), and 181a-5p (1.33 versus 0.37) compared with those with GD from other causes (n = 28). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of miRNAs 155-5p, 122-5p, and 181a-5p for the diagnosis of TCMR was 0.87, 0.91, and 0.89, respectively, significantly higher than those of the other noninvasive tests (P < 0.001). Furthermore, miRNA 155-5p identified all patients who presented TCMR during the first 2 weeks after transplant. miRNA plasmatic expression differentiates TCMR from other causes of GD in patients who have undergone LT and may be a useful tool in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Ruiz
- Liver Transplant Unit, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Millán
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Ríos
- Pathology Department, Biochemical Diagnostic Centre, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Díaz
- Medical Statistics Core Facility, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lydia Sastre
- Liver Transplant Unit, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Colmenero
- Liver Transplant Unit, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Crespo
- Liver Transplant Unit, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Brunet
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Navasa
- Liver Transplant Unit, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Tanimine N, Ohira M, Tahara H, Ide K, Tanaka Y, Onoe T, Ohdan H. Strategies for Deliberate Induction of Immune Tolerance in Liver Transplantation: From Preclinical Models to Clinical Application. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1615. [PMID: 32849546 PMCID: PMC7412931 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver exhibits intrinsic immune regulatory properties that maintain tolerance to endogenous and exogenous antigens, and provide protection against pathogens. Such an immune privilege contributes to susceptibility to spontaneous acceptance despite major histocompatibility complex mismatch when transplanted in animal models. Furthermore, the presence of a liver allograft can suppress the rejection of other solid tissue/organ grafts from the same donor. Despite this immune privilege of the livers, to control the undesired alloimmune responses in humans, most liver transplant recipients require long-term treatment with immune-suppressive drugs that predispose to cardiometabolic side effects and renal insufficiency. Understanding the mechanism of liver transplant tolerance and crosstalk between a variety of hepatic immune cells, such as dendritic cells, Kupffer cells, liver sinusoidas endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells and so on, and alloreactive T cells would lead to the development of strategies for deliberate induction of more specific immune tolerance in a clinical setting. In this review article, we focus on results derived from basic studies that have attempted to elucidate the immune modulatory mechanisms of liver constituent cells and clinical trials that induced immune tolerance after liver transplantation by utilizing the immune-privilege potential of the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Tanimine
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ohira
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.,Medical Center for Translational and Clinical Research Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tahara
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kentaro Ide
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuka Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takashi Onoe
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.,Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, National Hospital Organization, Kure, Japan
| | - Hideki Ohdan
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Millán O, Ruiz P, Fortuna V, Navasa M, Brunet M. Nuclear factor of activated T cells as potential pharmacodynamic biomarker for the risk of acute and subclinical rejection in de novo liver recipients. Liver Int 2020; 40:931-946. [PMID: 31883422 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Nuclear factor of activated T cell-regulated gene expression (NFAT-RGE) has been proposed as a pharmacodynamic biomarker for tacrolimus (Tac) and cyclosporine (CsA). Our aim was to evaluate the role of NFAT-RGE in modulating intralymphocytary IL-2 and IFN-γ expression and its clinical utility as an early non-invasive predictive biomarker for the risk of acute rejection (AR) and infection in de novo liver transplant (LT) recipients. METHODS Fifty-six LT recipients treated with Tac or CsA [with and without mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)] were included: 30 free of rejection or infection, 11 rejectors (T cell-mediated acute rejection), 5 with subclinical rejection (SCR) and 10 with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Within the first 3 months after transplantation, NFAT-RGE of IL-2, IFN-γ and GM-CSF and intralymphocytary synthesis of IL-2 and IFN-γ were evaluated by real-time PCR and flow cytometry respectively. RESULTS A significant increase in NFAT-RGE was observed in patients who experienced TCMAR (75% [42-100%]) or SCR (41% [18-78%]) compared with patients without rejection or infection (14% [2-23%]). Positive correlations between the %NFAT-RGE-IFN and both the %CD8CD69IFN-γ and %CD4CD69IFN-γ and between the %NFAT-RGE-IL2 and the %CD8CD69IL2 were observed. NFAT-RGE was significantly lower in CMV+ patients than in non-infected patients. Finally, an inverse correlation between the Tac or CsA concentration and inhibition of NFAT-RGE were observed. CONCLUSIONS Sequential post-transplantation NFAT-RGE monitoring combined with intralymphocytary IL-2 and IFN-γ before transplantation and at the first and third month post-transplantation may be key predictive and diagnostic biomarkers for the risk of TCMAR and SCR and better guide CNi therapy in LT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Millán
- Biomedical Research Centre in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Ruiz
- Liver Transplant Unit, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Virginia Fortuna
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Navasa
- Biomedical Research Centre in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Liver Transplant Unit, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Brunet
- Biomedical Research Centre in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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