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Tsoulfas G, Boletis I, Papalois V. Translational research and innovation in modern transplant practice: Paradigms from Greece and around the world. World J Transplant 2023; 13:25-27. [PMID: 36908305 PMCID: PMC9993189 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v13.i2.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuous clinical and technological advances, together with the social, health and economic challenges that the global population faces, have created an environment where the evolution of the field of transplantation is essentially necessary. The goal of this special issue is to provide a picture of the current status of transplantation in Greece as well as in many other countries in Europe and around the world. Authors from Greece and several other countries provide us with valuable insight into their respective areas of transplant expertise, with a main focus on the field of translational research and innovation. The papers that are part of this Special Issue “Translational Research and Innovation and the current status of Transplantation in Greece” have presented innovative and meaningful approaches in modern transplant research and practice. They provide us with a clear overview of the current landscape in transplantation, including liver transplantation in the context of a major pandemic, the evolution of living donor kidney transplantation or the evolution of the effect of hepatitis C virus infection in transplantation, while at the same time explore more recent challenges, such as the issue of frailty in the transplant candidate and the changes brought by newer treatments, such as immunotherapy, in transplant oncology. Additionally, they offer us a glimpse of the effect that technological innovations, such as virtual reality, can have on transplantation, both in terms of clinical and educational aspects. Just as critical is the fact that this Special Issue emphasizes the multidisciplinary, collaborative efforts currently taking place that link transplant research and innovation with other cutting-edge disciplines such as bioengineering, advanced information technology and artificial intelligence. In this Special Issue, in addition to the clinical and research evolution of the field of transplantation, we are witnessing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Tsoulfas
- Department of Transplantation Surgery, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
| | - Ioannis Boletis
- Department of Nephrology, EKPA University, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Vassilios Papalois
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Imperial College Renal and Transplant Centre, London W12 0HS, United Kingdom
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Lioulios G, Mitsoglou Z, Fylaktou A, Xochelli A, Christodoulou M, Stai S, Moysidou E, Konstantouli A, Nikolaidou V, Papagianni A, Stangou M. Exhausted but Not Senescent T Lymphocytes Predominate in Lupus Nephritis Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213928. [PMID: 36430418 PMCID: PMC9694088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lupus nephritis (LN), a chronic inflammatory disease, is characterized by the substantial disruption of immune homeostasis. This study examines its effects on the T lymphocyte phenotype and, particularly, its senescence- and exhaustion-related immune alterations. T cell subpopulations were determined with flow cytometry in 30 LN patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs), according to the expression of senescence- (CD45RA, CCR7, CD31, CD28, CD57), and exhaustion- (PD1) related markers. The immune phenotype was associated with disease activity and renal histology. LN patients were characterized by pronounced lymphopenia, mainly affecting the CD4 compartment, with a concurrent reduction in the naïve, central and effector memory subsets compared to the HCs. In the CD8 compartment, the naïve subsets were significantly lower than that of the HCs, but a shift in the T cells occurred towards the central memory population. CD4+PD1+ and CD8+PD1+ cells were increased in the LN patients compared to the HCs. However, in CD4 T cells, the increase was limited to CD45RA+, whereas in CD8 T cells, both CD45RA+ and CD45RA- subsets were affected. Disease activity was correlated with CD4+PD1+ and highly differentiated CD4+CD28-CD57+ cells. Histology was only associated with CD4 T cell disturbances, with stage IV presenting reduced naïve and increased senescent subsets. Exhausted T lymphocyte subpopulations predominate within LN patients, while the T cell phenotype varies depending on disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Lioulios
- Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Zoi Mitsoglou
- Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Asimina Fylaktou
- Department of Immunology, National Peripheral Histocompatibility Center, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aliki Xochelli
- Department of Immunology, National Peripheral Histocompatibility Center, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michalis Christodoulou
- Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stamatia Stai
- Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Moysidou
- Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Afroditi Konstantouli
- Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Nikolaidou
- Department of Immunology, National Peripheral Histocompatibility Center, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Papagianni
- Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Stangou
- Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
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