Transcriptome Analysis in Renal Transplant Biopsies Not Fulfilling Rejection Criteria

Utility of Banff Human Organ Transplant Gene Panel in Human Kidney Transplant Biopsies

BACKGROUND

Microarray transcript analysis of human renal transplantation biopsies has successfully identified the many patterns of graft rejection. To evaluate an alternative, this report tests whether gene expression from the Banff Human Organ Transplant (B-HOT) probe set panel, derived from validated microarrays, can identify the relevant allograft diagnoses directly from archival human renal transplant formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies. To test this hypothesis, principal components (PCs) of gene expressions were used to identify allograft diagnoses, to classify diagnoses, and to determine whether the PC data were rich enough to identify diagnostic subtypes by clustering, which are all needed if the B-HOT panel can substitute for microarrays.

METHODS

RNA was isolated from routine, archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue renal biopsy cores with both rejection and nonrejection diagnoses. The B-HOT panel expression of 770 genes was analyzed by PCs, which were then tested to determine their ability to identify diagnoses.

RESULTS

PCs of microarray gene sets identified the Banff categories of renal allograft diagnoses, modeled well the aggregate diagnoses, showing a similar correspondence with the pathologic diagnoses as microarrays. Clustering of the PCs identified diagnostic subtypes including non-chronic antibody-mediated rejection with high endothelial expression. PCs of cell types and pathways identified new mechanistic patterns including differential expression of B and plasma cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Using PCs of gene expression from the B-Hot panel confirms the utility of the B-HOT panel to identify allograft diagnoses and is similar to microarrays. The B-HOT panel will accelerate and expand transcript analysis and will be useful for longitudinal and outcome studies.

Cellular and molecular interrogation of kidney biopsy specimens

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Traditional histopathology of the kidney biopsy specimen has been an essential and successful tool for the diagnosis and staging of kidney diseases. However, it is likely that the full potential of the kidney biopsy has not been tapped so far. Indeed, there is now a concerted worldwide effort to interrogate kidney biopsy samples at the cellular and molecular levels with unprecedented rigor and depth. This review examines these novel approaches to study kidney biopsy specimens and highlights their potential to refine our understanding of the pathophysiology of kidney disease and lead to precision-based diagnosis and therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several consortia are now active at studying kidney biopsy samples from various patient cohorts with state-of-the art cellular and molecular techniques. These include advanced imaging approaches as well as deep molecular interrogation with tools such as epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. The emphasis throughout is on rigor, reproducibility and quality control.

SUMMARY

Although these techniques to study kidney biopsies are complementary, each on its own can yield novel ways to define and classify kidney disease. Therefore, great efforts are needed in order to generate an integrated output that can propel the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease into the realm of precision medicine.